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2024 Best Special Education Schools in Virginia

10 Colleges in Virginia
1,238 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
$46,837 Avg Early-Career Salary
Special Education is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #29 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 10 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Special Education Schools in Virginia ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 1,238 degrees in special education during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Special Education School

Best Special Education Schools in Virginia The special ed program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Special Education rankings. For our Best Overall Special Education School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Special Education Rankings by Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in Special Ed
Master's Degrees in Special Ed
Doctor's Degrees in Special Ed

The special ed school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Special Education Schools in Virginia. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.


 

Best Schools for Special Education in Virginia

The schools below may not offer all types of special ed degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

10 Top Virginia Schools in Special Ed

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
397 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
$59,088 Median Starting Salary

Any student pursuing a degree in special education needs to check out George Mason University. Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #117 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 397 special education students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent year we have data available. Those special education students who get their degree from George Mason University earn $12,250 more than the standard special ed graduate.

More information about a degree in special education from George Mason University

2
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
494 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
2.6% Growth in Graduates

It's difficult to beat Liberty University if you wish to pursue a degree in special education. Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Lynchburg. A Best Colleges rank of #352 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Liberty University is a great university overall.

There were about 494 special education students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, special ed degree recipients usually make an average of $38,042 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in special education from Liberty University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
55 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
5.5% Growth in Graduates

Virginia Commonwealth University is a good decision for students interested in a degree in special education. VCU is a fairly large public university located in the city of Richmond. A Best Colleges rank of #240 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means VCU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 55 special education students who graduated with this degree at VCU in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, special ed degree recipients typically make around $46,456 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in special education from Virginia Commonwealth University

4
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
38 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
15.8% Growth in Graduates

Every student who is interested in special education needs to look into James Madison University. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #169 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means JMU is a great university overall.

There were about 38 special education students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, special ed degree recipients generally make an average of $47,042 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in special education from James Madison University

5
Marymount crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In VA

Marymount is a small private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Arlington. This university ranks 16th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were roughly 10 special education students who graduated with this degree at Marymount in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in special education from Marymount University

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
67 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
$46,308 Median Starting Salary

Old Dominion is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Norfolk. A Best Colleges rank of #446 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Old Dominion is a great university overall.

There were roughly 67 special education students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the special ed program report average early career wages of $46,308.

More information about a degree in special education from Old Dominion University

7
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
$47,405 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Virginia Beach, Regent is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 20th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 27 special education students who graduated with this degree at Regent in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the special ed program report average early career wages of $47,405.

More information about a degree in special education from Regent University

8
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
66 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
33.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the suburb of Radford, Radford is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 23rd out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 66 special education students who graduated with this degree at Radford in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the special ed program make around $46,136 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in special education from Radford University

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In VA

Located in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 36th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 4 special education students who graduated with this degree at Mary Baldwin in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in special education from Mary Baldwin University

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In VA
27.3% Growth in Graduates

Lynchburg is a small private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Lynchburg. This university ranks 25th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were roughly 11 special education students who graduated with this degree at Lynchburg in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in special education from University of Lynchburg


 

Best Special Education Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Special Education Schools in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 423
Florida 282 999
North Carolina 279 372
Tennessee 269 344
South Carolina 248 255
Kentucky 244 573
Louisiana 242 68
Mississippi 234 269
Arkansas 234 274
Alabama 233 404
West Virginia 207 46

View All Rankings >

One of 14 majors within the Education area of study, Special Education has other similar majors worth exploring.

Special Ed Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Special Education 1,017
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism 116
Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented 86
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 10
Other Special Education & Teaching 6
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs 2
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 1

View All Special Ed Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 1,898
Educational Administration 1,582
Teacher Education Subject Specific 1,401
Curriculum & Instruction 1,215
General Education 918
Student Counseling 701
Other Education 315
Teaching English or French 170
Instructional Media Design 146
Teaching Assistants 48

View All Special Ed Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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