Special Education
What you'll do in college
Special Education majors focus on teaching students with diverse learning needs, including physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. Coursework covers special education law, individualized education programs (IEPs), behavior management, assistive technology, and instructional adaptations.
You will spend significant time observing and student-teaching in special education classrooms or inclusive settings to gain hands-on experience in supporting neurodivergent students and those with developmental delays.
What you'll do after college
Graduates typically work as special education teachers in K-12 schools, either managing self-contained classrooms or working as co-teachers and resource specialists in inclusive environments. Beyond the classroom, opportunities exist in early intervention programs, adult day programs, disability advocacy, and educational consulting.
The role requires immense patience and advocacy, but it is highly rewarding, and special educators are consistently in high demand nationwide.
Famous graduates
- Anne Sullivan — Renowned teacher of Helen Keller and pioneer in education for the blind and deaf; Valedictorian of the Perkins School for the Blind
- Torey Hayden — Special education teacher and bestselling author detailing her experiences teaching children with emotional disturbances; B.S. in Biology and Chemistry, M.A. in Special Education from Montana State University
Selectivity vs. earnings
By acceptance rate
By SAT median
Earnings vs. selectivity rank
Majors in this category
| Major | Colleges | Degrees ▼ | Male/Female | Intl | 5yr Earn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education | 408 | 5,367 | 11% / 89% | 0% | $56,715 |
| Special Education | 359 | 4,311 | 11% / 89% | 0% | $55,831 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs | 11 | 358 | 5% / 95% | 1% | $61,563 |
| Elementary Special Education | 16 | 190 | 11% / 89% | 1% | $62,722 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs | 4 | 139 | 6% / 94% | 1% | $61,806 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 12 | 78 | 10% / 90% | 1% | $57,507 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities | 3 | 43 | 7% / 93% | 0% | $57,034 |
| Developmental Disabilities Education | 3 | 35 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $47,562 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities | 2 | 33 | 18% / 82% | 0% | $56,208 |
| Childhood/Special Education | 1 | 29 | 14% / 86% | 0% | $63,252 |
| Learning Disabilities Education | 6 | 23 | 26% / 74% | 0% | $54,913 |
| Middle School Special Education | 4 | 17 | 12% / 88% | 0% | $59,339 |
| Secondary Special Education | 4 | 14 | 36% / 64% | 0% | $59,646 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities | 2 | 14 | 21% / 79% | 0% | $60,618 |
| Intellectual Disabilities Education | 2 | 12 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $68,440 |
| Emotional Behavioral Disorders Education | 2 | 11 | 9% / 91% | 0% | $61,156 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism | 1 | 11 | 9% / 91% | 0% | $58,437 |
| Special Education (Elementary) | 2 | 7 | 0% / 100% | 0% | |
| Applied Special Education | 1 | 7 | 57% / 43% | 0% | |
| Visual Disabilities Education | 1 | 7 | 14% / 86% | 0% | $51,879 |
| Teacher Education: Special Education | 1 | 6 | 0% / 100% | 0% | |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances | 2 | 5 | 20% / 80% | 0% | $56,208 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs | 1 | 5 | 40% / 60% | 0% | $61,940 |
| Special Education - Intellectual Disabilities | 1 | 5 | 0% / 100% | 0% | |
| Special Education (Secondary) | 2 | 4 | 25% / 75% | 0% | |
| Multiple Disabilities Education | 1 | 3 | 0% / 100% | 0% |