by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their special education graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying special education schools.
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If you want to know which schools send special education graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in special education, no school beat Florida Atlantic University this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Florida Atlantic University make a median of around $56,998 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at Florida State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of about $53,954 a year early in their careers.
Florida Memorial University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami Gardens, Florida Memorial University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,656.
Miami Dade College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Miami Dade College make a median of around $53,935 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at St Petersburg College, which ranked #5. St Petersburg College is a public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. After graduating, special education degree recipients from St Petersburg College typically earn about $51,056 annually.
Broward College earned the #6 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Broward College earn a median of about $53,145 a year early in their careers.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $55,014 a year early in their careers.
Indian River State College landed the #8 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Indian River State College make a median of around $49,848 per year.
The University Of West Florida placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from The University Of West Florida typically earn about $68,975 annually.
Florida International University earned the #10 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of about $63,271 a year early in their careers.
University Of Central Florida ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. University Of Central Florida is a public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Special Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of about $53,723 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Florida came in at #12 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from University Of North Florida typically earn about $53,024 annually.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #13 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus typically earn about $55,701 annually.
Nova Southeastern University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,508.
University Of Florida landed the #15 spot for special education salaries this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of about $56,907 a year early in their careers.
Saint Leo University landed the #16 spot for special education salaries this year. Saint Leo University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Saint Leo University typically earn about $54,277 annually.
Southeastern University came in at #17 for special education graduate earnings this year. Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Southeastern University typically earn about $39,595 annually.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their special education graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 17 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.