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2026 Best Special Education Schools in Washington

5 Colleges in the United States
184 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$60,755 Avg Early-Career Salary

Special Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their special education programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for special education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Special Education in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall special education education in Washington.

Top Schools in Special Education

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best special education schools. 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. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 29 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $73,549 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at Gonzaga University, which ranked #2. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. About 86% of students finish within six years. Gonzaga University awarded about 12 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Gonzaga University generally make around $58,733. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Gonzaga University

3

Western Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #3. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 102 special education students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $52,912 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,284. Read more about the special education program at Western Washington University

4

Eastern Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #4. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 20 special education degrees were awarded at Eastern Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Eastern Washington University earn around $41,883 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Get the full special education details for Eastern Washington University

5

City University Of Seattle came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Set in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 21 special education students who graduated with this degree at City University Of Seattle in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $76,698 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. More information about a degree in special education from City University Of Seattle

View All Special Education Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 13 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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