2027 Best Special Education Schools in the Southeast Region
Special Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 91 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best special education schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Special Education in the Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked College Of William And Mary the best school in the country for a degree in special education. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 special education students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $53,338 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete this degree.
See the full special education program report for College Of William And Mary
A rank of #2 makes Florida State University one of the top schools for special education. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Florida State University awarded about 26 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,709 to complete this degree.
Read more about the special education program at Florida State University
George Mason University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 317 special education students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $62,342 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
Get the full special education details for George Mason University
Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 53 special education degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $71,679 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for Vanderbilt University
Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at Elon University, which ranked #5. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Elon University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 special education students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $50,463. Typical student debt for the program is $21,619.
See the full special education program report for Elon University
James Madison University placed #6 among the best special education schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 15 special education degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $56,055 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,218.
Get the full special education details for James Madison University
University Of Georgia landed the #7 spot for special education this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 112 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Georgia earn around $54,506 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
See the full special education program report for University Of Georgia
Miami Dade College landed the #8 spot for special education this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. About 56 special education degrees were awarded at Miami Dade College in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $53,935 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,671.
Read more about the special education program at Miami Dade College
University Of Florida ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida awarded about 141 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,147 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
Read more about the special education program at University Of Florida
University Of Arkansas placed #10 among the best special education schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 29 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Arkansas earn around $43,718 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for University Of Arkansas
Florida International University came in at #11 for special education this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 113 special education degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $49,081. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans.
See the full special education program report for Florida International University
Daytona State College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Daytona Beach. There were roughly 15 special education students who graduated with this degree at Daytona State College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Daytona State College earn around $43,320 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,227.
See the full special education program report for Daytona State College
Auburn University placed #13 among the best special education schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Auburn University awarded about 61 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $46,289. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
Get the full special education details for Auburn University
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #14 among the best special education schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates 57% of students within six years. About 25 special education degrees were awarded at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $46,866. Students borrow a median of $22,931 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for Florida Gulf Coast University
University Of Central Florida ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 101 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $53,313 early in their careers. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at University Of Central Florida
Broward College landed the #16 spot for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. There were roughly 59 special education students who graduated with this degree at Broward College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Broward College generally make around $49,262. Typical student debt for the program is $13,110.
Read more about the special education program at Broward College
Augusta University came in at #17 for special education this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Augusta University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 93 special education degrees were awarded at Augusta University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Augusta University earn around $56,168 in the first couple years of their career. Augusta University graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans.
Get the full special education details for Augusta University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #18 position for special education this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 81 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $47,549 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $26,602 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of North Florida earned the #19 position for special education this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Florida in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $51,534 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,509.
Get the full special education details for University Of North Florida
The University Of Alabama came in at #20 for special education this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. About 73% of students finish within six years. About 64 special education degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $45,631 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Read more about the special education program at The University Of Alabama
Kennesaw State University landed the #21 spot for special education this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Kennesaw State University awarded about 46 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Kennesaw State University earn around $53,824 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in special education from Kennesaw State University
Florida Atlantic University earned the #22 position for special education this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. Florida Atlantic University awarded about 20 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Florida Atlantic University earn around $56,009 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete this degree.
Read more about the special education program at Florida Atlantic University
Appalachian State University came in at #23 for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 special education students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $43,424. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for Appalachian State University
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $50,876 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for University Of Mississippi Main Campus
Lipscomb University placed #25 among the best special education schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 70 special education students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $51,798. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
Read more about the special education program at Lipscomb University
Rest of the Top 50 Special Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s special education ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 91 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.
