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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying special education schools.
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.
Arizona State University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools in Arizona. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of about $54,147 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #2. Northern Arizona University is a public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,709.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at Arizona State University Skysong, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Arizona State University Skysong make a median of around $56,460 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Arizona earned it the #4 place for special education. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of about $58,746 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at Grand Canyon University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,747.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #6 spot for special education salaries this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,333.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries special education graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 6 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.