2021 Best Special Education Colleges for Veterans in the United States
Finding the Best Special Education Schools for Vets
Special Education is the #55 most popular major in the country with 8,866 bachelor's degrees awarded in 2018-2019.
This year's Best Special Education Colleges for Veterans in the United States ranking analyzed 123 colleges that offered a bachelor's degree in special ed. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great special education programs and a strong support system for veterans and active service members.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the special education program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran satisfaction. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
Featured schools near , edit
More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Special Ed Schools for Veterans list to help you make the college decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
2021 Best Special Education Schools for Veterans in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Best Special Education Colleges for Veterans.
Top 15% Best Special Education Schools for Veterans
Kean University landed the #1 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value special education schools. Located in the large suburb of Union, Kean is a public college with a fairly large student population.
According to our most recent data, Kean supports 14,056 students, and 244 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 134 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,953. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Read full report on veterans at Kean University
Request Information
Our rankings recognize Illinois State University as the #2 school in this year's rankings. Illinois State is a fairly large public school located in the midsize suburb of Normal. Illinois State also took the #1 spot in our Best Colleges for Special Education in the United States rankings.
According to our most recent data, Illinois State supports 20,635 students, and 560 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 218 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,872. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read full report on veterans at Illinois State University
Request Information
The #3 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Towson University. Towson is a very large public school located in the small city of Towson. In addition to being on our best for vets list, Towson has also earned the #9 rank in our Best Colleges for Special Education in the United States ranking.
Of the 22,923 students enrolled at Towson, 671 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 475 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for these recipients was $8,030. In addition to receiving other benefits, 11 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Towson does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Read full report on veterans at Towson University
Request Information
The #4 spot in this year's ranking belongs to West Chester University of Pennsylvania. WCUPA is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. In addition to being on our best for vets list, WCUPA has also earned the #5 rank in our Best Colleges for Special Education in the United States ranking.
According to our most recent data, WCUPA supports 17,527 students, and 391 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 216 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,868. To help with additional expenses, 11 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read full report on veterans at West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Request Information
University of Northern Colorado landed the #5 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value special education schools. Located in the medium-sized city of Greeley, University of Northern Colorado is a public school with a large student population.
Our most recent data shows that 369 of the 13,437 students enrolled at University of Northern Colorado were GI Bill® students, of which 251 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for these recipients was $8,283. To help with additional expenses, 24 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read full report on veterans at University of Northern Colorado
Request Information
Our rankings recognize Western Governors University as the #6 school in this year's rankings. WGU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City.
Among the 121,437 students enrolled at WGU, 7,754 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 5,005 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,711. On top of their other funding sources, 2 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. WGU does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Read full report on veterans at Western Governors University
Request Information
Our rankings recognize University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign as the #7 school in this year's rankings. Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public school with a fairly large student population. UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Colleges for Special Education in the United States list.
According to our most recent data, UIUC supports 49,702 students, and 500 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 247 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $12,702. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Veterans at University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign Report
Request Information
The #8 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Southern Connecticut State University. SCSU is a moderately-sized public school located in the midsize city of New Haven.
According to our most recent data, SCSU supports 10,050 students, and 324 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 226 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,233. During this same period, 1 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. SCSU does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Veterans at Southern Connecticut State University Report
Request Information
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value special education schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, SRU is a public school with a moderately-sized student population. SRU excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Special Education in the United States list.
Among the 8,803 students enrolled at SRU, 344 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 181 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,454. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Veterans at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Report
Request Information
Utah State University earned the #10 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the small city of Logan, USU is a public college with a very large student population.
Our most recent data shows that 524 of the 27,932 students enrolled at USU were GI Bill® students, of which 295 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,961. To help with additional expenses, 17 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read full report on veterans at Utah State University
Request Information
Florida Atlantic University earned the #11 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the city of Boca Raton, FAU is a public college with a very large student population.
According to our most recent data, FAU supports 29,772 students, and 722 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 506 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,787. FAU does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Request Information
Our rankings recognize University of Hawaii at Manoa as the #12 school in this year's rankings. Located in the large city of Honolulu, UHM is a public college with a fairly large student population. UHM excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Special Education in the United States list.
Among the 17,710 students enrolled at UHM, 1,184 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 932 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for these recipients was $9,877. On top of their other funding sources, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full Veterans at University of Hawaii at Manoa Report
Request Information
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania comes in at #13 in this year's ranking. Bloomsburg is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Bloomsburg.
According to our most recent data, Bloomsburg supports 8,909 students, and 260 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 132 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for these recipients was $7,342. Bloomsburg does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Veterans at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Report
Request Information
Grand Canyon University landed the #14 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value special education schools. Grand Canyon University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix.
According to our most recent data, Grand Canyon University supports 90,253 students, and 6,566 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 4,373 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for these recipients was $5,044. During this same period, 12 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Grand Canyon University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Read full report on veterans at Grand Canyon University
Request Information
Indiana University - Bloomington earned the #15 spot in our 2021 rankings. IU Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. IU Bloomington also took the #7 spot in our Best Colleges for Special Education in the United States rankings.
Of the 43,503 students enrolled at IU Bloomington, 626 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 389 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $12,606. In addition to receiving other benefits, 23 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Veterans at Indiana University - Bloomington Report
Request Information
Millersville University of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
According to our most recent data, Millersville supports 7,746 students, and 228 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 135 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for these recipients was $8,274. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Read full report on veterans at Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Request Information
Ball State University earned the #17 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the small city of Muncie, Ball State is a public college with a fairly large student population. In addition to being on our bet for vets list, Ball State is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Special Education in the United States list.
Of the 21,884 students enrolled at Ball State, 432 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 226 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for these recipients was $6,458. On top of their other funding sources, 16 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read full report on veterans at Ball State University
Request Information
St. Joseph's College - New York earned the #18 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the large city of Brooklyn, SJC is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Of the 1,179 students enrolled at SJC, 146 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 123 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for these recipients was $15,554. To help with additional expenses, 38 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. SJC does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Veterans at St. Joseph’s College - New York Report
Request InformationAdditional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great schools for United States vets studying Special Ed that almost earned our Best Special Education Colleges for Veterans in the United States award.
Rank | College | Location |
---|---|---|
19 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater | Whitewater, WI |
20 | Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud, MN |
21 | Western Washington University | Bellingham, WA |
22 | Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL |
23 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln | Lincoln, NE |
24 | Lebanon Valley College | Annville, PA |
Special Education by Region
View the best for vets Special Education schools in a specific region near you.
Region |
---|
Southeast |
New England |
Rocky Mountains |
Plains States |
Middle Atlantic |
Far Western US |
Southwest |
Great Lakes |
Veterans Rankings in Majors Related to Special Ed
Special Education is one of 14 different types of Education programs to choose from.
Majors Similar to Special Ed
Related Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
Teacher Education Grade Specific | 50,540 |
Teacher Education Subject Specific | 21,322 |
General Education | 4,523 |
Other Education | 1,730 |
Educational Administration | 573 |
View All Special Ed Related Majors >
Notes and References
Footnotes
*Avg Cost is for the top 25 schools only.
**GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Credit for the banner image above goes to woodleywonderworks.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More > |
![]() |
Purdue University
Building on Purdue’s mission to provide greater access to affordable, world-class education, Purdue University Global delivers a fully personalized online experience that’s tailored to working adults. By opening the doors to adults who need flexibility to fit learning into their busy lives, we make it possible to achieve a high-quality education from the prestigious Purdue University system—completely online ... Learn More > |
![]() |
Grand Canyon University (GCU)
With a spotlight on intellectual creativity and innovation for the 21stcentury, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at GCU provides a job focused education. It blends the study of traditional humanities in a modern context. Through academic inquiry and beyond the box thinking, the college advances our society and its accomplishments ... Learn More > |
![]() |
Northcentral University
Northcentral University (NCU) was founded to provide accessible, high-quality, online graduate degrees to working professionals. As a regionally accredited, online university, NCU serves students worldwide, focusing on Doctoral and Master's degree programs in the Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education, Psychology, and Marriage and Family Sciences ... Learn More > |
![]() |
Colorado Technical University (CTU)
CTU could help you connect to what matters most: a powerful professional community, aculty who are real-world professionals, and innovative technology ... Learn More > |