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 11 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.
Webster University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. Special Education graduates of Webster University earn a median of about $51,322 a year early in their careers.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school located in the city of Columbia. Early-career special education graduates from University Of Missouri Columbia make a median of around $50,540 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of about $54,785 a year early in their careers.
Missouri State University Springfield produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,871.
Fontbonne University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Fontbonne University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Fontbonne University make a median of around $45,701 per year.
Lindenwood University earned the #6 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Special Education graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of about $47,206 a year early in their careers.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #7 spot for special education salaries this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of about $40,190 a year early in their careers.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #8 for special education graduate earnings this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a public school located in the town of Maryville. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,602.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #9 spot for special education salaries this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Special Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of about $35,985 a year early in their careers.
Drury University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Drury University typically earn about $44,728 annually.
Missouri Baptist University earned the #11 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Missouri Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University typically earn about $35,312 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 · 11 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.