by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 154 U.S. colleges awarded 3,950 degrees and certificates in Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 39% of graduates. College Factual ranks 84 schools in its 2027 Best Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $55,013 one year after completing, rising to $62,416 after four years.
A degree in Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs involves the study of Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs. A Program That Focuses On The Design And Provision Of Teaching And Other Educational Services To Infant And Pre-School Age Children With Special Learning Needs Or Disabilities, And That Prepares Individuals To Teach Such Students. Includes Instruction In Diagnosing Learning Disabilities, Developing Individual Education Plans, Teaching And Supervising Special Education Students, Special Education Counseling, And Applicable Laws And Policies.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs draws strong interest, with 3,950 degrees awarded annually. 154 colleges award education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs degrees, an average of 26 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 304.
By level, the 3,950 awards include 33 certificates, 1,522 associate degrees, 958 bachelor’s degrees and 1,437 master’s degrees.
Women earned 93% of education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs degrees and certificates in the latest year (3,659 of 3,950). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,814) and Hispanic or Latino (1,439), and international students earned 30.
College Factual ranks 84 schools in its 2027 Best Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools ranking, including 25 for bachelor’s degrees and 35 for master’s degrees. It also ranks education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs schools within 12 states. In all, 154 colleges offer education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs credential is the associate degree: 1,522 of the 3,950 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Psychology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Speech Clarity and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long an education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 33 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,522 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 958 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,437 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs, at 62.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 62.9% |
| Master’s degree | 13.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 9.5% |
| First professional degree | 2.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.9% |
| Some college courses | 0.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs, with an average median salary of $66,751; the strongest outlook belongs to Special Education Teachers, Preschool, at 6.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Tenure-Track Professor, Educational Leadership Professor, Faculty Member and Music Education Professor.
The occupation related to education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs with the most projected jobs is Education Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,441,246.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | 636,033 | 6.1% |
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates earn a median $55,013 one year after completing their program, $62,416 after four years and $59,953 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,013 |
| 4 years | $62,416 |
| 5 years | $59,953 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs, with a median salary of $98,329.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | $35,173 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs has 17 similar majors in the Education field, which together award 31,478 degrees a year; the largest are Special Education and Teaching, General (23,004), Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs (1,739) and Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities (1,485). Browse all Education majors or the full list of college majors.
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