by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 252 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Special Education Master's Degree Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 19,631 master's degrees in special education to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
The special ed master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality special ed program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:The overall quality of a master's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To take this into account we consider a school's overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their master's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your master's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for special education students working on their master's degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Special Education Master's Degree Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in special education. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Hunter College is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in special education. Hunter is a fairly large public college located in the city of New York.
Special Education master's degree recipients from Hunter College get an earnings boost of about $19,518 over the typical income of special education majors.
More information about a master’s in special education from Hunter College
Ball State University is a wonderful decision for students pursuing a master's degree in special education. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State is a public university with a fairly large student population.
After graduation, special ed master's recipients typically earn around $58,958 in their early careers.
More information about a master’s in special education from Ball State University
Brooklyn College is a good choice for students interested in a master's degree in special education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Brooklyn College is a public college with a large student population.
Master's recipients from the special education degree program at Brooklyn College earn $20,014 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a master’s in special education from Brooklyn College
Every student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in special education needs to check out Syracuse University. Located in the medium-sized city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.
Those special education students who get their master's degree from Syracuse University make $2,383 more than the average special ed grad.
More information about a master’s in special education from Syracuse University
TCNJ is a medium-sized public college located in the suburb of Ewing.
Special Education master's degree recipients from The College of New Jersey earn a boost of about $7,095 above the average income of special education graduates.
More information about a master’s in special education from The College of New Jersey
CCNY is a fairly large public college located in the large city of New York.
Master's recipients from the special education major at The City College of New York earn $19,172 more than the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a master’s in special education from The City College of New YorkLocated in the large city of Los Angeles, Cal State LA is a public university with a very large student population. Master's recipients from the special education program at California State University - Los Angeles make $26,319 more than the typical college grad in this field when they enter the workforce. Located in the large suburb of Brookville, LIU Post is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population. Those special education students who get their master's degree from LIU Post make $18,204 more than the average special ed student. UCONN is a very large public university located in the town of Storrs.More information about a master’s in special education from University of Connecticut Located in the suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a very large student population. Those special education students who get their master's degree from George Mason University earn $4,332 more than the typical special ed grad.7
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Annual Graduates$83,983
Median Starting Salary8
89
Annual Graduates$75,868
Median Starting Salary9
31
Annual Graduates10
252
Annual Graduates$61,996
Median Starting Salary
QC is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Queens.
Master's recipients from the special education program at Queens College make $16,832 more than the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a master’s in special education from Queens CollegeUST MN is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Saint Paul. Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program report average early career wages of $58,812. UF is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville. Master's graduates who receive their degree from the special ed program make about $51,147 in the first couple years of working. Hofstra is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Hempstead. Those special education students who get their master's degree from Hofstra University receive $18,600 more than the standard special ed student. Illinois State is a very large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal. After graduating, special ed master's recipients generally make an average of $56,893 in the first five years of their career.12
119
Annual Graduates$58,812
Median Starting Salary13
50
Annual Graduates$51,147
Median Starting Salary14
43
Annual Graduates$76,264
Median Starting Salary15
37
Annual Graduates$56,893
Median Starting Salary
UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis.
Master's students who receive their degree from the special ed program earn around $53,829 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a master’s in special education from University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesLocated in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program report average early career income of $53,653. Adelphi is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Garden City. Master's recipients from the special education program at Adelphi University earn $9,909 more than the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce. Located in the large city of Queens, STJ is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. Master's recipients from the special education major at St John's University - New York get $17,777 above the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation. Towson is a large public university located in the city of Towson. Master's recipients from the special education degree program at Towson University earn $7,158 above the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.17
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Annual Graduates$53,653
Median Starting Salary18
12
Annual Graduates$67,573
Median Starting Salary19
60
Annual Graduates$75,441
Median Starting Salary2031
Annual Graduates$64,822
Median Starting Salary
Located in the city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.
Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program report average early career wages of $59,238.
More information about a master’s in special education from Boston UniversityNational University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of San Diego. Special Education master's degree recipients from National University receive an earnings boost of around $13,008 over the typical income of special education majors. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, St. Joe's is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program state that they receive average early career wages of $56,588. Located in the small city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population. Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program report average early career wages of $59,583. Located in the large suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a very large student population. Those special education students who get their master's degree from University of Maryland - College Park make $9,726 more than the average special ed student.22
288
Annual Graduates$70,672
Median Starting Salary23
139
Annual Graduates$56,588
Median Starting Salary24
19
Annual Graduates$59,583
Median Starting Salary25
15
Annual Graduates$67,390
Median Starting Salary
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These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Special Education Master's Degree Schools award.
View the Best Special Education Master's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
One of 14 majors within the Education area of study, Special Education has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education Grade Specific | 28,813 |
| Educational Administration | 25,551 |
| Curriculum & Instruction | 17,349 |
| Teacher Education Subject Specific | 16,456 |
| General Education | 14,076 |
| Student Counseling | 13,003 |
| Instructional Media Design | 6,792 |
| Teaching English or French | 3,041 |
| Other Education | 1,604 |
| Educational Assessment | 1,520 |
