Special Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 501 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for special education students pursuing a degree.
Where you study special education matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Special Education Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Special Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of Maryland College Park, our #1 school for special education. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $67,390 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
More information about a degree in special education from University Of Maryland College Park
A rank of #2 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for special education. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 special education degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at College Of William And Mary
Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 36 special education degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $79,384 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree.
Read more about the special education program at California State University Fullerton
A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the top schools for special education. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 26 special education degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Students borrow a median of $22,709 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for Florida State University
Fordham University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 51 special education students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $71,684 in their early career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans.
More information about a degree in special education from Fordham University
Johns Hopkins University placed #6 among the best special education schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 35 special education degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $68,814 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
More information about a degree in special education from Johns Hopkins University
California State University Long Beach landed the #7 spot for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 32 special education degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $77,631 early in their careers. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at California State University Long Beach
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #8 position for special education this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 42 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $57,086 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $18,925 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
San Jose State University placed #9 among the best special education schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 51 special education degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
See the full special education program report for San Jose State University
Boston College came in at #10 for special education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 19 special education degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $59,583 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree.
See the full special education program report for Boston College
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 79 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $51,800 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,387.
Get the full special education details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #12 for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. About 33 special education degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $51,306. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
See the full special education program report for Indiana University Bloomington
Towson University landed the #13 spot for special education this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 209 special education students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $59,077. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750.
More information about a degree in special education from Towson University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #14 among the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 28 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $73,549 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
More information about a degree in special education from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Denver landed the #15 spot for special education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Denver. University Of Denver graduates 76% of students within six years. University Of Denver awarded about 40 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $57,362 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete this degree.
Read more about the special education program at University Of Denver
San Francisco State University placed #16 among the best special education schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 48 special education degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $69,592 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,020 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for San Francisco State University
California State University East Bay placed #17 among the best special education schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 45 special education degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from California State University East Bay earn around $77,402 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete this degree.
See the full special education program report for California State University East Bay
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #18 for special education this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. About 79 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn around $66,637 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Adelphi University came in at #19 for special education this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Adelphi University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 41 special education degrees were awarded at Adelphi University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $67,573 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,487.
Get the full special education details for Adelphi University
University Of Connecticut earned the #20 position for special education this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Connecticut awarded about 69 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $58,784 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans.
Get the full special education details for University Of Connecticut
California State University San Bernardino ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 51 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $42,421 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for California State University San Bernardino
George Mason University earned the #22 position for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 317 special education students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from George Mason University earn around $62,342 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
Read more about the special education program at George Mason University
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #23 for special education this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 special education students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $64,297 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in special education from Rutgers University New Brunswick
California State University Los Angeles ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 special education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from California State University Los Angeles earn around $83,983 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at California State University Los Angeles
Gannon University placed #25 among the best special education schools. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 special education students who graduated with this degree at Gannon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $73,658 in their early career. Gannon University graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans.
See the full special education program report for Gannon University
Rest of the Top 50 Special Education Schools
These schools also placed among the best for special education this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 501 schools evaluated.
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 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).
