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2023 Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Special Education

552 Ranked Colleges
9,368 Degrees Awarded
$38,520 Avg Salary
Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor's

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s” ranking.

Special Education is the 29th most popular major in the country with 36,792 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, special education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $45,679 and had an average of $24,977 in loans still to pay off.

At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 9,368 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,682 and $26,217 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s” ranking analyzed 552 colleges that offered a degree in special education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular special education programs in the United States.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s”.

1
WGU crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah

Out of the 552 schools in the Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Governors University landed the #1 spot on the list. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s special ed degrees to 836 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Western Governors University

2
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grand Canyon University. The school came in at #2 for the Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s. Grand Canyon University is located in Phoenix, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 471 bachelors’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Grand Canyon University

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s list. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and it awarded 214 bachelors’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Full BGSU Special Education Report

4
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, Maryland

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Towson University. The school came in at #4 for the Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s. Located in Towson, Maryland, this large public school handed out 165 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Special Education at Towson

5

Out of the 552 schools in the Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Illinois State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school awarded 160 degrees to qualified bachelors’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Illinois State

6

St. Joseph’s College - New York came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. SJC is located in Brooklyn, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 139 bachelors’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Joseph’s College - New York Special Education Report

7
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. It awarded 131 bachelors’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full SRU Special Education Report

8
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #8. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 113 bachelors’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Liberty University Special Education Report

9

Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. ASU - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 111 bachelors’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Special Education Report

10
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #10. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 105 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full WCUPA Special Education Report

11
NAU crest
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona

With a ranking of #11, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s list. This large school is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, and it awarded 98 bachelors’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at NAU

12
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. Western Washington University is a fairly large public school situated in Bellingham, Washington. It awarded 93 bachelors’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at WWU

13

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #13. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s special ed degrees to 85 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Special Education at UW - Eau Claire

14
SUNY Cortland crest
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, New York

SUNY Cortland ranked #14 on this year’s Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s list. SUNY Cortland is a public institution located in Cortland, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 82 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full SUNY Cortland Special Education Report

15
SUNY Geneseo crest
SUNY Geneseo
Geneseo, New York

SUNY Geneseo did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #15. SUNY Geneseo is located in Geneseo, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 78 bachelors’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full SUNY Geneseo Special Education Report

16

Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #16. This fairly large school is located in Youngstown, Ohio, and it awarded 77 bachelors’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Special Education at Youngstown State University

17
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama

Auburn University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #17. Auburn is a public institution located in Auburn, Alabama. The school has a large population, and it awarded 76 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Auburn University Special Education Report

18

Utah State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #18. USU is located in Logan, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 75 bachelors’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at USU

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s list. University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 75 bachelors’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Special Education Report

20

With a ranking of #20, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s list. Kutztown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s special ed degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

Full Kutztown University Special Education Report

21
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. Located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 73 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

22
TCNJ crest
The College of New Jersey
Ewing, New Jersey

The College of New Jersey ranked #22 on this year’s Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s list. Located in Ewing, New Jersey, this medium-sized public school handed out 69 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at The College of New Jersey

23
BC crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

With a ranking of #23, Broward College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s list. BC is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 bachelors’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Special Education at BC

24
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, this large public school handed out 65 degrees to qualified bachelors’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Special Education at University of Memphis

25

The University of West Florida landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s ranking. UWF is a fairly large school located in Pensacola, Florida that handed out 60 bachelors’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Special Education at The University of West Florida

Rest of the Best 51 in Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s

Not only did these schools make the top 51 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
27
27
29
29
31
32
33
34
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Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida
34
36
Molloy crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, New York
37
37
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
37
40
UA crest
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
40
40
40
Morehead State University crest
Morehead State University
Morehead, Kentucky
40
40
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio
46
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan
47
Providence crest
Providence College
Providence, Rhode Island
47
47
Bridgewater State crest
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, Massachusetts
50
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Most Well Attended Special Ed Major for a Bachelor’s

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
52Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC
53The University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN
54Medgar Evers CollegeBrooklyn, NY
54University of GeorgiaAthens, GA
54Ohio State University - Main CampusColumbus, OH
57University of Nebraska - LincolnLincoln, NE
57East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg, PA
57Kean UniversityUnion, NJ
57The University of Arizona Global CampusSan Diego, CA
57Brigham Young University - ProvoProvo, UT
62Kent State University at KentKent, OH
62SUNY Old WestburyOld Westbury, NY
62Indiana University - BloomingtonBloomington, IN
65SUNY FredoniaFredonia, NY
66Lewis UniversityRomeoville, IL
RankCollegeLocation
66Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaShippensburg, PA
68Missouri State University - SpringfieldSpringfield, MO
68University of DaytonDayton, OH
68Nazareth CollegeRochester, NY
68Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville, MO
68East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC
73Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
73University of Wisconsin - WhitewaterWhitewater, WI
73Brigham Young University - IdahoRexburg, ID
73Clemson UniversityClemson, SC
73University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL
78Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY
78University of Cincinnati - Main CampusCincinnati, OH
78Manhattan CollegeRiverdale, NY
78Saint Mary-of-the-Woods CollegeSaint Mary of the Woods, IN
78Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI
78St. Bonaventure UniversitySaint Bonaventure, NY

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Notes and References

References

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Footnotes

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