2027 Best Special Education Schools in Iowa
Special Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools to find the best for special education students.
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Best Schools for Special Education in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall special education education in Iowa.
Top Schools in Special Education
Northwestern College Iowa tops our 2027 ranking of the best special education schools. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. Northwestern College Iowa graduates 66% of students within six years. About 75 special education degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $54,845 in their early career. Northwestern College Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at Northwestern College Iowa
Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at University Of Iowa, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $57,375 in their early career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans.
See the full special education program report for University Of Iowa
Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at Dordt College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Dordt College awarded about 16 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Typical student debt for the program is $21,812.
More information about a degree in special education from Dordt College
Buena Vista University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 54 special education degrees were awarded at Buena Vista University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $44,780. Typical student debt for the program is $29,317.
More information about a degree in special education from Buena Vista University
University Of Northern Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $60,588 early in their careers. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans.
More information about a degree in special education from University Of Northern Iowa
Morningside College placed #6 among the best special education schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Morningside College awarded about 76 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $55,760 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,281 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for Morningside College
Upper Iowa University placed #7 among the best special education schools. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 special education students who graduated with this degree at Upper Iowa University in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $50,052 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $35,455.
More information about a degree in special education from Upper Iowa University
More Special Education Rankings
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 · 7 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.
