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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the early-career earnings of their special education graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send special education graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Francis Marion University, our #1 for special education graduate salaries in South Carolina. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Francis Marion University make a median of around $57,526 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Coastal Carolina University one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Coastal Carolina University is a public school located in the city of Conway. Early-career special education graduates from Coastal Carolina University make a median of around $46,262 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Columbia College South Carolina earned it the #3 place for special education. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College South Carolina is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Columbia College South Carolina make a median of around $42,958 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at College Of Charleston, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from College Of Charleston typically earn about $43,953 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at Clemson University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Clemson University make a median of around $41,047 per year.
Winthrop University came in at #6 for special education graduate earnings this year. Winthrop University is a public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Early-career special education graduates from Winthrop University make a median of around $44,829 per year.
University Of South Carolina Upstate came in at #7 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from University Of South Carolina Upstate make a median of around $40,322 per year.
Anderson University Sc earned the #8 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Anderson University Sc make a median of around $40,264 per year.
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 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.