Best Schools for Special Education in the Far Western Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Special Education
No school ranked higher than California State University Fullerton this year for special education. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 36 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $79,384 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree.
See the full special education program report for California State University Fullerton
Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #2. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $73,549 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
Read more about the special education program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
California State University Long Beach came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 36 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $77,631 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete this degree.
See the full special education program report for California State University Long Beach
San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #4. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 42 special education students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
See the full special education program report for San Jose State University
San Francisco State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 46 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $69,592. Typical student debt for the program is $17,024.
See the full special education program report for San Francisco State University
California State University East Bay earned the #6 position for special education this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 special education students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data 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.
Read more about the special education program at California State University East Bay
Loyola Marymount University placed #7 among the best special education schools. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 special education students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $71,022. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in special education from Loyola Marymount University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #8 for special education this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 84 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $66,637 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for University Of Hawaii At Manoa
California State University Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for special education this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. California State University Los Angeles awarded about 68 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $83,983. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in special education from California State University Los Angeles
University Of Southern California landed the #10 spot for special education this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 14 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $58,147 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
See the full special education program report for University Of Southern California
California State University San Bernardino earned the #11 position for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Bernardino. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 38 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,149.
Read more about the special education program at California State University San Bernardino
California State University Northridge placed #12 among the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 52 special education degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $68,093 in their early career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans.
See the full special education program report for California State University Northridge
California State University Fresno came in at #13 for special education this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. California State University Fresno awarded about 29 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $71,787 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,598.
Get the full special education details for California State University Fresno
National University earned the #14 position for special education this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 352 special education students who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from National University generally make around $70,672. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for National University
California State University Bakersfield ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 special education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Bakersfield in the most recent data year.
Read more about the special education program at California State University Bakersfield
California State University Sacramento ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 50 special education degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $33,783 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for California State University Sacramento
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #17 among the best special education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 special education students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $73,427 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in special education from Point Loma Nazarene University
California Lutheran University earned the #18 position for special education this year. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 16 special education students who graduated with this degree at California Lutheran University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California Lutheran University generally make around $68,342. California Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans.
Get the full special education details for California Lutheran University
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #19 for special education this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. About 27 special education degrees were awarded at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from College Of Southern Nevada earn around $35,850 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Southern Nevada graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in special education from College Of Southern Nevada
Azusa Pacific University earned the #20 position for special education this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 special education students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $58,302 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in special education from Azusa Pacific University
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #21 position for special education this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. California State University Dominguez Hills awarded about 12 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $74,460 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,886.
Read more about the special education program at California State University Dominguez Hills
Gonzaga University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Set in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 special education students who graduated with this degree at Gonzaga University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Gonzaga University generally make around $58,733. Gonzaga University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at Gonzaga University
Fresno Pacific University placed #23 among the best special education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fresno. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 16 special education degrees were awarded at Fresno Pacific University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Fresno Pacific University earn around $80,696 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete this degree.
See the full special education program report for Fresno Pacific University
University Of La Verne earned the #24 position for special education this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of La Verne graduates 63% of students within six years. University Of La Verne awarded about 16 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $35,364 in their early career. University Of La Verne graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans.
More information about a degree in special education from University Of La Verne
Alliant International University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This moderately-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. About 108 special education degrees were awarded at Alliant International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Alliant International University generally make around $63,647. Alliant International University graduates carry a median of $21,234 in student loans.
More information about a degree in special education from Alliant International University
Rest of the Top 50 Special Education Schools
These schools also placed among the best for special education this year:
Narrow Special Education Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 144 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
