by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2024, College Factual analyzed 368 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 9,368 bachelor's degrees in special education to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Your choice of special education for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for special education students working on their bachelor's degree.
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 Education Bachelor's Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in special education. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
It is difficult to beat Western Washington University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in special education. WWU is a large public university located in the city of Bellingham.
Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from Western Washington University receive $10,733 more than the typical special ed grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Western Washington University
Towson University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in special education. Located in the city of Towson, Towson is a public university with a large student population.
Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from Towson University make $8,197 more than the average special ed grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Towson University
The College of New Jersey is a great decision for students interested in a bachelor's degree in special education. Located in the large suburb of Ewing, TCNJ is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a bachelor’s in special education from The College of New Jersey
Illinois State University is a good decision for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in special education. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the special education degree program at Illinois State University make $4,960 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Illinois State University
Syracuse is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Syracuse.
Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from Syracuse University receive $9,468 more than the typical special ed student.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Syracuse University
Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Nashville.More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Vanderbilt University
Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
WCUPA is a large public university located in the suburb of West Chester.
Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania make $4,537 more than the average special ed grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Located in the midsize city of Spokane, Gonzaga is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.
Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University receive $11,470 more than the standard special ed student.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Gonzaga University
Located in the city of Flagstaff, NAU is a public university with a fairly large student population.
After graduation, special ed bachelor's recipients usually make an average of $39,492 in their early careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Northern Arizona University
Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Madison get an earnings boost of around $3,425 over the typical earnings of special education graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Wisconsin - Madison
Located in the city of Logan, USU is a public university with a very large student population.
Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from Utah State University receive an earnings boost of around $4,356 over the average income of special education graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Utah State University
Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign receive an earnings boost of approximately $5,503 above the average earnings of special education majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Located in the midsize city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a very large student population.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the special ed program state that they receive average early career earnings of $39,042.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Georgia
UDayton is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Dayton.
Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Dayton make $2,951 more than the average special ed grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Dayton
Located in the midsize city of Providence, Providence is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the special ed program report average early career income of $40,466.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Providence College
Boston U is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston.
Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from Boston University receive an earnings boost of approximately $7,926 over the typical earnings of special education graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Boston University
IU Bloomington is a fairly large public university located in the city of Bloomington.
Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from Indiana University - Bloomington get an earnings boost of about $3,376 above the average earnings of special education graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Indiana University - Bloomington
Located in the small city of Muncie, Ball State is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from Ball State University make $2,467 more than the typical special ed grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Ball State University
UMCP is a very large public university located in the large suburb of College Park.More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Maryland - College Park
ASU - Tempe is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Tempe.
Bachelor's recipients from the special education major at Arizona State University - Tempe get $2,631 above the standard college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Arizona State University - Tempe
Located in the large suburb of Glassboro, Rowan is a public university with a large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Rowan University
Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Florida
Located in the small city of Mankato, Minnesota State Mankato is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University - Mankato make $4,289 more than the standard special ed graduate.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Minnesota State University - Mankato
Located in the small city of Holland, Hope is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the special ed program make an average of $39,887 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Hope College
This section shows the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 368 different United States special education schools we analyzed.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln | Lincoln, NE |
| 51 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC |
| 52 | University of Missouri - Columbia | Columbia, MO |
| 53 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL |
| 54 | Whitworth University | Spokane, WA |
| 55 | University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR |
Here are some additional great schools for Special Education students that almost earned our Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | Seton Hall University | South Orange, NJ |
| 57 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA |
| 58 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL |
| 59 | Messiah University | Mechanicsburg, PA |
| 60 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL |
| 61 | Rhode Island College | Providence, RI |
| 62 | Appalachian State University | Boone, NC |
| 63 | Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI |
| 64 | Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, MI |
| 65 | Trinity Christian College | Palos Heights, IL |
| 66 | SUNY Cortland | Cortland, NY |
| 67 | Saginaw Valley State University | University Center, MI |
| 68 | University of South Dakota | Vermillion, SD |
| 69 | Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud, MN |
| 70 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | Slippery Rock, PA |
| 71 | Manhattan College | Riverdale, NY |
| 72 | Lebanon Valley College | Annville, PA |
| 73 | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale, IL |
View the Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
One of 14 majors within the Education area of study, Special Education has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education Grade Specific | 53,664 |
| Teacher Education Subject Specific | 20,958 |
| General Education | 5,611 |
| Other Education | 1,728 |
| Educational Assessment | 1,336 |
| Educational Administration | 626 |
| Teaching English or French | 422 |
| Education Philosophy | 276 |
| Multilingual Education | 123 |
| Instructional Media Design | 107 |
