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2027 Best Special Education Schools in Michigan

12 Colleges in the United States
706 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$49,563 Avg Early-Career Salary

Special Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their special education programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools to find the best for special education students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Special Education in Michigan

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

1
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in special education. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 92 special education students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $57,308 in their early career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $26,375 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Michigan State University

2
Alma College crest
Alma College
Alma, MI

Alma College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 38 special education degrees were awarded at Alma College in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Alma College earn a median of $42,740 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,248 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Alma College

3
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Hope College graduates 80% of students within six years. Hope College awarded about 11 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $48,630 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Hope College

4

Grand Valley State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the town of Allendale. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Grand Valley State University awarded about 164 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $53,335. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $30,350 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from Grand Valley State University

5
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at Oakland University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 special education students who graduated with this degree at Oakland University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Oakland University earn around $61,223 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,972. Read more about the special education program at Oakland University

6

Northern Michigan University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 special education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Northern Michigan University earn around $40,508 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Michigan University graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Northern Michigan University

7

Western Michigan University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 148 special education students who graduated with this degree at Western Michigan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $51,967. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Western Michigan University

8
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #8 spot for special education this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 52 special education degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $46,522 in their early career. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Central Michigan University

9

Eastern Michigan University landed the #9 spot for special education this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 82 special education degrees were awarded at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $50,476 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Eastern Michigan University

10
Spring Arbor University crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI

Spring Arbor University placed #10 among the best special education schools. Located in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 40 special education degrees were awarded at Spring Arbor University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $50,637 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Spring Arbor University

11
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University came in at #11 for special education this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 14 special education students who graduated with this degree at Saginaw Valley State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $48,209. Typical student debt for the program is $29,873. More information about a degree in special education from Saginaw Valley State University

12
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College landed the #12 spot for special education this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. About 11 special education degrees were awarded at Oakland Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Typical student debt for the program is $15,865. More information about a degree in special education from Oakland Community College

View All Special Education Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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