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Special Education

Colleges offering this major Rankings Trends

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

$53,890
806
100–87%
$54,270
1,873
87–77%
$52,811
1,971
77–60%
$54,627
717
60–0%
Acceptance rate · bar = degree-weighted earnings

By SAT median

$50,930
572
400–1060
$50,509
1,380
1060–1150
$56,131
1,345
1150–1270
$54,314
570
1270–1600
Combined SAT composite median (submitters + non-submitters) · bar = degree-weighted earnings

Earnings vs. selectivity rank

$43,701p10 $63,038p90 Work College Female-only Liberal Arts Public University Religious University Private University Public University 1–25 Private University 21–40 Private University 1–20 Blackburn College · $49,570 College of Saint Mary · $54,900 Fisk University · $50,525 Providence College · $60,307 Ohio Wesleyan University · $49,743 Carthage College · $47,182 Lees-McRae College · $45,151 Bethel University · $50,695 Grove City College · $50,612 Buena Vista University · $52,246 Missouri Valley College · $50,897 Piedmont University · $48,939 Hope College · $50,640 Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College · $43,254 Hastings College · $49,682 Presbyterian College · $52,579 Franklin Pierce University · $54,800 Keuka College · $54,872 Pfeiffer University · $58,360 Whitworth University · $55,810 Calvin University · $51,968 Augsburg University · $53,437 Dakota Wesleyan University · $51,958 Doane University · $53,638 Hood College · $49,196 Susquehanna University · $58,512 Davis & Elkins College · $53,756 Moravian University · $55,659 York College of Pennsylvania · $75,689 Huntington University · $44,807 Greenville University · $43,817 Mars Hill University · $45,481 Converse University · $57,157 West Virginia Wesleyan College · $50,300 Batten University · $51,362 Muskingum University · $44,424 Eureka College · $44,772 Goshen College · $49,966 Wilson College · $50,605 Elmira College · $55,045 University of South Florida · $52,875 College of New Jersey · $65,432 Clemson University · $41,047 University of North Carolina Wilmington · $51,603 Alabama State University · $47,259 Florida Atlantic University · $56,998 Norfolk State University · $58,312 Northern Illinois University · $57,132 West Chester University of Pennsylvania · $56,788 University of Connecticut · $63,401 Pennsylvania State University · $58,085 New Mexico State University · $65,983 Georgia State University · $60,636 University of Arkansas at Little Rock · $45,308 Northwestern Oklahoma State University · $50,048 Illinois State University · $56,275 Mississippi State University · $40,198 University of New Mexico · $48,398 State University of New York at Cortland · $70,344 Jackson State University · $40,145 Minnesota State University, Mankato · $51,346 Northeastern Illinois University · $72,373 Arkansas State University · $54,213 Wayne State University · $51,383 University of Central Missouri · $40,190 Winthrop University · $43,871 Appalachian State University · $49,424 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities · $57,502 Austin Peay State University · $45,543 Ball State University · $50,351 Central Michigan University · $50,739 Eastern Michigan University · $51,197 Jacksonville State University · $49,396 Lander University · $42,589 University of Michigan - Dearborn · $54,162 University of West Georgia · $52,216 Northern Michigan University · $64,334 University of South Alabama · $49,589 Auburn University at Montgomery · $56,278 Concord University · $46,665 East Carolina University · $46,759 Eastern Illinois University · $51,770 George Mason University · $70,830 Georgia Southern University · $52,125 Indiana University - South Bend · $49,994 Indiana University Southeast · $50,348 Millersville University of Pennsylvania · $49,226 Missouri State University - Springfield · $44,035 Morehead State University · $40,027 Murray State University · $39,132 Ohio University · $46,532 Southern Illinois University - Carbondale · $46,500 Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville · $43,701 Temple University · $68,425 University of Central Arkansas · $42,665 University of Maine at Farmington · $45,235 University of Memphis · $44,607 University of Nebraska at Kearney · $58,907 University of North Carolina at Greensboro · $44,554 University of Northern Colorado · $49,362 University of Northern Iowa · $50,101 University of Oklahoma - Norman · $52,354 University of Southern Indiana · $46,345 University of Tennessee Southern · $48,508 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · $61,736 Virginia Commonwealth University · $56,908 Western Illinois University · $48,274 Westfield State University · $57,770 Wright State University · $50,503 Augusta University · $48,607 College of Charleston · $43,953 University of Vermont · $53,415 Miami University - Ohio · $46,116 University of West Alabama · $58,729 Henderson State University · $47,563 Old Dominion University · $53,460 University of Alabama · $50,092 University of Arkansas · $51,993 University of Mississippi · $40,294 University of Wisconsin - Parkside · $51,216 Boise State University · $61,339 Indiana University · $59,829 SUNY Brockport · $53,811 University of South Carolina Upstate · $58,467 Valdosta State University · $51,162 SUNY Old Westbury · $68,312 University of Missouri · $42,239 University of North Florida · $52,358 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire · $49,346 Winona State University · $52,938 East Tennessee State University · $43,909 Eastern Kentucky University · $42,418 Fitchburg State University · $69,942 Middle Tennessee State University · $45,543 Northern Arizona University · $50,073 University of North Carolina at Charlotte · $45,769 Youngstown State University · $40,430 Coastal Carolina University · $46,262 Columbus State University · $62,060 Southeast Missouri State University · $35,985 Tennessee Technological University · $38,116 Western Carolina University · $43,364 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania · $48,191 Grand Valley State University · $48,818 Metropolitan State University of Denver · $52,967 Portland State University · $63,038 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania · $49,371 University of Nebraska, Lincoln · $51,536 University of Toledo · $48,539 Western Washington University · $66,702 University of Central Oklahoma · $49,592 Bowling Green State University · $43,416 East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania · $58,152 Eastern Washington University · $58,104 Indiana University of Pennsylvania · $52,862 Kent State University at Kent · $45,441 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania · $57,501 Nevada State University · $62,917 University of Maryland Eastern Shore · $51,400 University of Nevada, Las Vegas · $56,356 University of Utah · $56,630 Michigan State University · $56,180 Southern Connecticut State University · $55,954 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater · $51,281 Western Michigan University · $49,952 Rowan University · $72,569 University of South Carolina - Aiken · $43,886 Central Washington University · $64,230 Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania · $53,708 Dakota State University · $42,986 Georgia Gwinnett College · $53,528 Indiana State University · $45,283 Northern Kentucky University · $42,105 Northern State University · $46,479 Rhode Island College · $56,951 SUNY Buffalo State University · $53,972 Saint Cloud State University · $47,220 University of Akron · $41,933 University of Alaska - Southeast · $69,893 University of Arizona · $46,092 University of Cincinnati · $47,162 West Virginia University · $53,518 Western Kentucky University · $39,891 Bridgewater State University · $57,064 Georgia Southwestern State University · $49,377 James Madison University · $60,188 University of Nebraska at Omaha · $53,367 Arizona State University · $53,261 Georgia College & State University · $52,928 Minot State University · $52,956 South Carolina State University · $45,207 Towson University · $57,712 University of Hawaii at Manoa · $61,945 Florida Gulf Coast University · $55,014 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee · $51,099 University of Kentucky · $45,328 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh · $46,734 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point · $46,793 SUNY at Fredonia · $52,511 Southwest Minnesota State University · $64,540 University of Wisconsin - Stout · $47,475 University of North Carolina at Pembroke · $47,783 University of Southern Mississippi · $41,646 Utah State University · $54,315 Pennsylvania Western University · $47,667 Idaho State University · $52,229 Midwestern State University · $63,072 University of Wyoming · $56,029 Virginia State University · $46,195 Black Hills State University · $49,089 Lake Superior State University · $51,406 Mayville State University · $55,552 Missouri Western State University · $45,439 Montana State University - Billings · $50,068 New Mexico Highlands University · $49,163 Peru State College · $43,707 Shawnee State University · $43,260 South Georgia State College · $53,018 Southwestern Oklahoma State University · $49,880 University of the District of Columbia · $56,203 Utah Valley University · $73,438 Wayne State College · $49,256 Weber State University · $57,842 Western New Mexico University · $51,894 Brigham Young University · $32,469 Union University · $46,042 Ohio Christian University · $37,363 Southeastern University · $52,446 Stonehill College · $54,360 Point University · $57,014 Baylor University · $56,748 Brescia University · $44,727 Oklahoma Baptist University · $49,552 Southern Wesleyan University · $59,286 Alvernia University · $45,987 Capital University · $49,486 High Point University · $53,752 Quincy University · $55,906 Spring Arbor University · $41,612 University of Dayton · $50,844 Olivet Nazarene University · $48,869 Anderson University · $58,383 Cedarville University · $43,807 Defiance College · $42,692 Harding University · $48,798 Judson University · $47,545 Manhattan College · $77,559 Messiah University · $51,466 Missouri Baptist University · $36,190 York University · $49,852 Concordia University Ann Arbor · $48,474 Mount St. Joseph University · $45,058 Evangel University · $41,296 Campbellsville University · $47,305 Hannibal-LaGrange University · $35,019 University of Evansville · $52,747 Our Lady of the Lake University · $58,433 Arcadia University · $64,215 Ashland University · $44,126 Bethany Lutheran College · $49,892 College of Our Lady of the Elms · $60,728 Concordia University - Nebraska · $51,108 Siena Heights University · $63,900 University of St Francis · $65,718 William Woods University · $48,505 Concordia University Wisconsin · $48,474 Eastern University · $59,811 Seton Hall University · $76,088 Abilene Christian University · $54,394 Elmhurst University · $57,147 Lewis University · $50,492 Chaminade University of Honolulu · $57,712 Chestnut Hill College · $68,473 Niagara University · $52,697 Saint Martin's University · $60,893 St. Thomas Aquinas College · $78,429 Marian University · $68,222 Oakland City University · $44,423 Salve Regina University · $58,989 Colorado Christian University · $58,048 Loyola University Chicago · $55,712 Millikin University · $49,037 Baldwin Wallace University · $60,279 Trinity Christian College · $58,755 Holy Family University · $68,256 Touro University · $79,696 Tusculum University · $44,254 DeSales University · $53,784 Malone University · $41,718 St. Bonaventure University · $53,262 Trevecca Nazarene University · $45,518 University of Saint Joseph · $63,800 Carson-Newman University · $64,386 Methodist University · $50,820 Molloy College · $59,775 University of Mary · $49,044 Benedictine University · $50,992 Gonzaga University · $68,277 Maranatha Baptist University · $46,015 St. Joseph's University - New York · $61,465 University of Mount Union · $44,261 Walsh University · $43,079 Canisius University · $52,403 Dominican University · $56,091 La Salle University · $62,165 Saint Joseph's College of Maine · $56,074 Shorter University · $51,872 Mercyhurst University · $49,564 Grace College and Theological Seminary · $49,208 Lee University · $36,259 Otterbein University · $47,341 University of Mount Olive · $46,225 Marymount University · $64,807 Neumann University · $53,662 Rivier University · $52,700 University of Findlay · $48,078 Xavier University · $49,412 Martin Luther College · $45,510 Oral Roberts University · $49,258 Campbell University · $48,315 Roberts Wesleyan University · $46,298 Concordia University - Chicago · $76,075 DePaul University · $56,467 Freed-Hardeman University · $45,675 Brenau University · $48,107 Cornerstone University · $48,511 Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion · $43,556 Seattle Pacific University · $71,021 Virginia Union University · $43,235 Thomas More University · $59,805 Brigham Young University - Idaho · $62,715 Christian Brothers University · $55,280 University of Lynchburg · $48,642 Le Moyne-Owen College · $51,558 Wisconsin Lutheran College · $54,662 Benedictine College · $46,613 Central Methodist University · $39,363 University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne · $51,122 Syracuse University · $61,607 Marist University · $61,388 Lake Erie College · $47,514 Cumberland University · $51,225 Rockford University · $47,209 Bradley University · $48,522 Lincoln Memorial University · $44,576 Aurora University · $55,833 Lesley University · $68,653 University of New England · $65,231 Bluffton University · $46,385 Lindenwood University · $42,468 Daemen University · $52,128 University of Hartford · $58,001 Curry College · $54,256 Point Park University · $46,936 Marietta College · $51,583 Keystone College · $46,329 New England College · $51,130 Roosevelt University · $57,806 Nova Southeastern University · $56,508 Ana G. Mendez University · $53,288 University of Rio Grande · $48,206 University of Virginia · $60,721 University of Georgia · $53,452 Purdue University · $54,202 University of Maryland, College Park · $59,570 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · $67,699 University of Wisconsin - Madison · $55,063 Florida State University · $53,954 Auburn University · $50,705 University of Tennessee, Knoxville · $48,724 Ohio State University · $49,462 Boston University · $61,254 Vanderbilt University · $57,668 Work College: mean $49,570 Female-only: mean $54,900 Liberal Arts: mean $51,785 Public University: mean $51,815 Religious University: mean $53,012 Private University: mean $52,904 Public University 1–25: mean $55,355 Private University 21–40: mean $61,254 Private University 1–20: mean $57,668 All colleges: p10 $43,701 All colleges: p90 $63,038
Each dot = a college · y = degree-weighted earnings

Majors in this category

Major Colleges Degrees ▼ Male/Female Intl Earnings Employment
Special Education 407 5,367 11% / 89% 0% $52,662 96%
Special Education 357 4,293 11% / 89% 0% $52,034 96%
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 11 358 5% / 95% 1% $56,316 96%
Elementary Special Education 16 190 11% / 89% 1% $54,219 98%
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs 4 139 6% / 94% 1% $57,752 99%
Special Education and Teaching 12 78 10% / 90% 1% $55,891 96%
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities 3 43 7% / 93% 0% $50,191 96%
Developmental Disabilities Education 3 35 0% / 100% 0% $45,517 98%
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities 2 33 18% / 82% 0% $50,968 97%
Childhood/Special Education 1 29 14% / 86% 0% $68,312 97%
Learning Disabilities Education 6 23 26% / 74% 0% $51,227 99%
Inclusive Education with Blended Licensure 1 18 6% / 94% 0% $46,116 93%
Middle School Special Education 4 17 12% / 88% 0% $62,149 94%
Secondary Special Education 4 14 36% / 64% 0% $54,979 100%
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 2 14 21% / 79% 0% $50,977 96%
Intellectual Disabilities Education 2 12 0% / 100% 0% $56,689 98%
Emotional Behavioral Disorders Education 2 11 9% / 91% 0% $57,487 99%
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism 1 11 9% / 91% 0% $51,197 97%
Special Education (Elementary) 2 7 0% / 100% 0% $51,888 98%
Applied Special Education 1 7 57% / 43% 0% $53,291
Visual Disabilities Education 1 7 14% / 86% 0% $53,954 100%
Teacher Education: Special Education 1 6 0% / 100% 0% $53,415
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances 2 5 20% / 80% 0% $50,968 97%
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs 1 5 40% / 60% 0% $53,367 96%
Special Education - Intellectual Disabilities 1 5 0% / 100% 0% $59,286
Special Education (Secondary) 2 4 25% / 75% 0% $51,888 98%
Multiple Disabilities Education 1 3 0% / 100% 0% $36,259 100%