Best Colleges for Special Education and Teaching

Special education teachers play a crucial role in supporting students with diverse learning needs, earning an average of $37,724 annually upon graduation. When evaluating special education and teaching programs, students should prioritize hands-on clinical experience, comprehensive coursework in disability studies and behavioral interventions, and strong partnerships with local school districts for student teaching placements. Look for programs that offer specialized certifications in areas like autism spectrum disorders or learning disabilities. With 206 schools nationwide offering this major, prospective teachers have numerous options to find programs that align with their career goals and provide the practical skills needed to make a meaningful impact in students' lives.

Schools Ranked

$46,358

Avg. Program Earnings

63.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Syracuse University Syracuse, New York	$57,318	81.4%	private-nonprofit
2	Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, Illinois	$52,107	16.8%	public
3	Boston University Boston, Massachusetts	$50,606	90.0%	private-nonprofit
4	Kean University Union, New Jersey	$49,855	43.4%	public
5	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$47,064	49.9%	public
6	Towson University Towson, Maryland	$46,991	67.6%	public
7	Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, Connecticut	$46,738	47.8%	public
8	University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, Hawaii	$46,673	62.6%	public
9	State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, New York	$46,087	68.2%	public
10	Hood College Frederick, Maryland	$45,980	55.3%	private-nonprofit
11	West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, Pennsylvania	$45,867	69.8%	public
12	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$45,826	65.5%	public
13	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	$45,618	86.9%	private-nonprofit
14	Loyola University Chicago Chicago, Illinois	$45,500	76.9%	private-nonprofit
15	Broward College Fort Lauderdale, Florida	$45,383	36.1%	public
16	Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida	$45,383	64.3%	public
17	Texas A & M International University Laredo, Texas	$44,747	48.9%	public
18	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, Illinois	$44,170	84.9%	public
19	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$44,170	52.4%	private-nonprofit
20	Providence College Providence, Rhode Island	$44,170	87.9%	private-nonprofit
21	Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, Florida	$44,102	56.0%	public
22	University of St Francis Joliet, Illinois	$43,798	64.6%	private-nonprofit
23	Lebanon Valley College Annville, Pennsylvania	$43,798	72.5%	private-nonprofit
24	Illinois State University Normal, Illinois	$43,584	66.3%	public
25	Salve Regina University Newport, Rhode Island	$43,426	74.9%	private-nonprofit