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2027 Best Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools

182 Colleges in the United States
8,458 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$47,580 Avg Early-Career Salary

Special Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their special education programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 182 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for special education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Special Education in the United States

Below are the best special education schools at the bachelor’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Special Education

1

University Of Maryland College Park is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in special education. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 14 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $67,390 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from University Of Maryland College Park

2
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #2 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for special education. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 special education students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $71,679. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at Vanderbilt University

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $51,922 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,925 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the top schools for special education. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 41 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $49,771 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $18,387 in student loans. Get the full special education details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

5
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 26 special education degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,709. More information about a degree in special education from Florida State University

6

University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #6 position for special education this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. University Of Hawaii At Manoa awarded about 36 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $60,396. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Get the full special education details for University Of Hawaii At Manoa

7
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #7 for special education this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Towson University awarded about 108 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Towson University earn a median of $53,331 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750. More information about a degree in special education from Towson University

8

The College Of New Jersey earned the #8 position for special education this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 66 special education students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $64,759. Typical student debt for the program is $25,228. See the full special education program report for The College Of New Jersey

9

University Of Connecticut came in at #9 for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Storrs. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. About 14 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Connecticut earn around $58,784 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,637. Read more about the special education program at University Of Connecticut

10

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #10 position for special education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 special education students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Read more about the special education program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

11

Indiana University Bloomington placed #11 among the best special education schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 27 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $51,306 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Indiana University Bloomington

12

Arizona State University came in at #12 for special education this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 82 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,882. Typical student debt for the program is $19,375. More information about a degree in special education from Arizona State University

13

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #13 among the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 35 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $50,174 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,863 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

14

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best special education schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 special education students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $65,476 in their early career. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

15

Illinois State University came in at #15 for special education this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 174 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $48,358. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $20,436 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Illinois State University

16

Miami Dade College earned the #16 position for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Miami. There were roughly 56 special education students who graduated with this degree at Miami Dade College in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $53,935 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,671 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Miami Dade College

17
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #17 for special education this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 special education students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $48,773 early in their careers. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,276 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from Purdue University Main Campus

18
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #18 position for special education this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 58 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $55,881 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full special education details for Syracuse University

19
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University placed #19 among the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glassboro. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 91 special education students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Rowan University earn around $66,244 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,488. See the full special education program report for Rowan University

20
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University earned the #20 position for special education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Orange. Seton Hall University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 13 special education degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $61,598 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Seton Hall University

21
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University earned the #21 position for special education this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 13 special education degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from James Madison University earn around $56,055 in the first couple years of their career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. See the full special education program report for James Madison University

22

George Mason University landed the #22 spot for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 56 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $62,342. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for George Mason University

23
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #23 position for special education this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 92 special education degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $57,308 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Michigan State University

24

Utah State University earned the #24 position for special education this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Utah State University awarded about 72 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $61,474 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,125. Get the full special education details for Utah State University

25

University Of Georgia placed #25 among the best special education schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 82 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $43,137 early in their careers. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at University Of Georgia

Rest of the Top 50 Special Education Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s special education ranking:

26
27
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
28
29
30
Manhattan College crest
Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY
31
32
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
33
34
35
36
37
Providence College crest
Providence College
Providence, RI
38
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY
39
40
Molloy College crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY
41
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA
42
43
44
45
46
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH
47
48
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL
49
50
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Honorable Mentions

A few more special education schools worth a look:

Other Special Education Degree Levels

Explore the best special education schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Special Education
Associate's Degrees in Special Education
Master's Degrees in Special Education

View All Special Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 182 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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