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2027 Best Special Education Schools in Missouri

9 Colleges in the United States
319 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$42,312 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best special education schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Special Education in Missouri

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

No school ranked higher than University Of Missouri Columbia this year for special education. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 36 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,357. Read more about the special education program at University Of Missouri Columbia

2

A rank of #2 makes Missouri State University Springfield one of the top schools for special education. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 127 special education students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $38,250. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Missouri State University Springfield

3
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Truman State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 special education students who graduated with this degree at Truman State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $39,764 in their early career. Truman State University graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Truman State University

4

Northwest Missouri State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the town of Maryville. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwest Missouri State University awarded about 51 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $41,321. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Northwest Missouri State University

5

Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #5. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. About 57% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri St Louis awarded about 13 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $52,350 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,943. More information about a degree in special education from University Of Missouri St Louis

6

University Of Central Missouri landed the #6 spot for special education this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Central Missouri earn around $41,190 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for University Of Central Missouri

7

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 21 special education degrees were awarded at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Southeast Missouri State University earn around $40,281 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Southeast Missouri State University

8

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earned the #8 position for special education this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 12 special education degrees were awarded at Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn around $47,316 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,051. Get the full special education details for Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies

9
Lincoln University Missouri crest
Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO

Lincoln University Missouri ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Jefferson City. Lincoln University Missouri graduates 20% of students within six years. Lincoln University Missouri awarded about 12 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Lincoln University Missouri earn around $37,449 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $32,831 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Lincoln University Missouri

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 · 9 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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