by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a special education degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying special education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose special education graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is George Mason University, our #1 for special education graduate salaries in Virginia. George Mason University is a public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. After graduating, special education degree recipients from George Mason University typically earn about $71,801 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at James Madison University earned it the #2 place for special education. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from James Madison University typically earn about $60,188 annually.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University make a median of around $56,908 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Old Dominion University one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Old Dominion University is a public school located in the city of Norfolk. Early-career special education graduates from Old Dominion University make a median of around $53,460 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Regent University earned it the #5 place for special education. Regent University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Special Education graduates of Regent University earn a median of about $54,021 a year early in their careers.
Liberty University earned the #6 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Liberty University typically earn about $51,859 annually.
Radford University came in at #7 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Radford University make a median of around $51,867 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 · 7 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.