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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find where special education graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose special education graduates go on to earn the most.
Sam Houston State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid special education graduates in Texas. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $68,891 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Texas A And M University Commerce earned it the #2 place for special education. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Texas A And M University Commerce make a median of around $64,004 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #3 place for special education. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,824.
The University Of Texas At Austin produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school located in the city of Austin. Special Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of about $65,215 a year early in their careers.
Texas A And M University College Station produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station typically earn about $65,722 annually.
Texas Tech University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Texas Tech University is a public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,416.
University Of North Texas earned the #7 position for special education graduate earnings this year. University Of North Texas is a public school located in the city of Denton. Early-career special education graduates from University Of North Texas make a median of around $63,201 per year.
Lamar University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,456.
Midwestern State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Midwestern State University is a public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Special Education graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of about $63,072 a year early in their careers.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for special education. University Of Houston Victoria is a public school located in the city of Victoria. After graduating, special education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria typically earn about $60,024 annually.
Texas Womans University earned the #11 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Texas Womans University make a median of around $62,187 per year.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #12 for special education graduate earnings this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Special Education graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of about $58,804 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #13 spot for special education salaries this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a public school located in the city of Tyler. Early-career special education graduates from The University Of Texas At Tyler make a median of around $61,656 per year.
Texas A And M International University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Texas A And M International University is a public school located in the city of Laredo. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University typically earn about $58,691 annually.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #15 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Texas State University San Marcos make a median of around $59,436 per year.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #16 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a public institution. Special Education graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of about $59,645 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #17 position for special education graduate earnings this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a public school located in the city of Edinburg. After graduating, special education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American typically earn about $61,736 annually.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University typically earn about $58,753 annually.
Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Texas A And M University San Antonio make a median of around $57,080 per year.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #20 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville typically earn about $53,219 annually.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,606.
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 · 21 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.