Back

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

$54,753
774
100–88%
$53,549
1,837
88–78%
$54,687
1,827
78–60%
$54,127
785
60–0%
Acceptance rate · bar = degree-weighted earnings

By SAT median

$53,887
591
400–1050
$52,171
1,383
1050–1150
$55,448
1,378
1150–1270
$54,588
573
1270–1600
Combined SAT composite median (submitters + non-submitters) · bar = degree-weighted earnings

Earnings vs. selectivity rank

$46,205p10 $62,914p90 Work College Female-only Liberal Arts Public University Religious University Private University Public University 1–15 Private University 1–30 Blackburn College · $47,444 Cedar Crest College · $62,903 Fisk University · $54,456 Providence College · $58,497 Grove City College · $51,799 Ohio Wesleyan University · $51,600 Carthage College · $48,593 Cumberland University · $52,698 Lees-McRae College · $47,347 Erskine College · $47,908 Buena Vista University · $57,542 Missouri Valley College · $53,578 Piedmont University · $51,013 Hope College · $51,860 Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College · $47,483 Hastings College · $55,993 Franklin Pierce University · $54,782 Keuka College · $52,319 Pfeiffer University · $59,456 Lipscomb University · $52,875 Calvin University · $52,918 Augsburg University · $52,838 Dakota Wesleyan University · $55,789 Doane University · $59,079 Hood College · $46,219 Susquehanna University · $60,931 Moravian University · $57,732 York College of Pennsylvania · $76,782 Davis & Elkins College · $55,049 Catawba College · $49,872 Huntington University · $47,671 Greenville University · $41,835 Mars Hill University · $47,220 Converse University · $60,264 Batten University · $51,117 Muskingum University · $48,194 Eureka College · $45,390 Bethel University · $52,131 Goshen College · $50,731 Wilson College · $50,004 Elmira College · $54,420 Alabama A&M University · $59,358 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire · $52,481 University of South Florida · $51,613 Clemson University · $43,228 University of North Carolina Wilmington · $53,729 University of Maryland, College Park · $55,965 Auburn University · $55,316 University of Tennessee, Knoxville · $52,513 Ohio State University · $52,196 Alabama State University · $55,361 Florida Atlantic University · $52,255 Norfolk State University · $58,928 Northern Illinois University · $59,538 West Chester University of Pennsylvania · $56,437 University of West Florida · $46,898 University of Connecticut · $61,491 Pennsylvania State University · $60,321 New Mexico State University · $73,228 Georgia State University · $61,460 University of Arkansas at Little Rock · $51,504 Central State University · $42,699 Illinois State University · $58,270 University of New Mexico · $52,168 State University of New York at Cortland · $67,108 College of New Jersey · $61,676 Jackson State University · $45,166 Minnesota State University, Mankato · $53,960 Northeastern Illinois University · $71,551 Arkansas State University · $62,719 University of Central Missouri · $43,237 Winthrop University · $45,638 Appalachian State University · $53,348 East Central University · $50,903 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities · $57,078 Ball State University · $54,647 Central Michigan University · $52,449 Eastern Michigan University · $51,724 Jacksonville State University · $53,461 James Madison University · $60,687 Lander University · $45,637 University of Michigan - Dearborn · $54,996 Eastern Illinois University · $53,800 University of Alabama · $54,416 College of Charleston · $44,873 Auburn University at Montgomery · $60,984 Concord University · $49,851 East Carolina University · $50,511 George Mason University · $68,325 Georgia Southern University · $54,048 Indiana University - South Bend · $53,235 Indiana University Southeast · $54,642 Millersville University of Pennsylvania · $49,582 Missouri State University - Springfield · $48,245 Morehead State University · $43,986 Murray State University · $43,002 Northeastern State University · $56,074 Ohio University · $50,429 Southern Illinois University - Carbondale · $47,658 Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville · $44,420 Temple University · $68,002 University of Central Arkansas · $48,383 University of Maine at Farmington · $46,587 University of Memphis · $48,177 University of Nebraska at Kearney · $65,452 University of North Carolina at Greensboro · $47,272 University of Northern Colorado · $49,090 University of Oklahoma - Norman · $56,216 University of Southern Indiana · $49,932 University of Tennessee Southern · $48,132 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · $66,922 Virginia Commonwealth University · $57,059 Western Illinois University · $48,900 Westfield State University · $56,651 Wright State University · $54,096 Augusta University · $50,465 University of Vermont · $54,108 Miami University - Ohio · $48,348 University of West Alabama · $63,562 Henderson State University · $53,824 University of Arkansas · $58,303 University of Mississippi · $45,801 University of Wisconsin - Parkside · $53,258 Indiana University · $62,440 SUNY Brockport · $52,973 University of South Carolina Upstate · $62,914 Valdosta State University · $54,744 Rowan University · $68,606 Elizabeth City State University · $44,414 SUNY Old Westbury · $62,659 University of Missouri · $45,831 University of North Florida · $51,462 Winona State University · $55,212 University of North Carolina at Charlotte · $47,603 East Tennessee State University · $48,538 Eastern Kentucky University · $46,134 Fitchburg State University · $66,916 Middle Tennessee State University · $48,108 Youngstown State University · $43,880 Saginaw Valley State University · $52,249 Coastal Carolina University · $48,445 Columbus State University · $66,145 Southeast Missouri State University · $39,876 Tennessee Technological University · $40,985 Western Carolina University · $45,250 University of West Georgia · $53,033 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania · $46,828 Metropolitan State University of Denver · $51,663 Portland State University · $60,336 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania · $50,295 University of Nebraska, Lincoln · $56,764 University of Toledo · $52,035 University of Central Oklahoma · $54,811 Bowling Green State University · $46,445 East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania · $58,260 Eastern Washington University · $55,510 Indiana University of Pennsylvania · $55,391 Kent State University at Kent · $48,252 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania · $58,136 Nevada State University · $63,805 University of Maryland Eastern Shore · $50,178 University of Nevada, Las Vegas · $57,152 University of Utah · $57,787 Southern Connecticut State University · $53,773 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater · $54,503 Western Michigan University · $51,249 Michigan State University · $57,616 Mississippi State University · $46,205 Wayne State University · $51,988 Boise State University · $62,508 University of South Carolina - Aiken · $46,332 Central Washington University · $58,927 Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania · $55,120 Dakota State University · $47,023 Georgia Gwinnett College · $53,397 Indiana State University · $49,339 Northern Kentucky University · $45,184 Northern State University · $51,213 Rhode Island College · $55,241 SUNY Buffalo State University · $53,056 Saint Cloud State University · $48,122 University of Akron · $44,696 University of Arizona · $46,017 University of Cincinnati · $49,881 Western Kentucky University · $44,035 University of Alaska - Southeast · $68,523 Northern Michigan University · $66,147 Bridgewater State University · $54,564 Georgia Southwestern State University · $51,588 University of Nebraska at Omaha · $58,674 Arizona State University · $52,616 Georgia College & State University · $56,594 South Carolina State University · $47,541 Towson University · $55,363 University of Hawaii at Manoa · $57,334 Minot State University · $59,743 Florida Gulf Coast University · $53,321 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee · $53,487 Northern Arizona University · $49,553 University of Kentucky · $49,299 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh · $49,798 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point · $50,005 SUNY at Fredonia · $51,679 Southwest Minnesota State University · $65,883 University of Wisconsin - Stout · $50,665 Old Dominion University · $53,559 University of North Carolina at Pembroke · $50,723 University of Southern Mississippi · $47,663 Grand Valley State University · $49,995 Utah State University · $56,134 University of Northern Iowa · $54,391 Western Washington University · $62,827 Pennsylvania Western University · $48,559 University of South Alabama · $56,315 University of Wyoming · $59,147 Virginia State University · $48,396 Black Hills State University · $52,651 Eastern Oregon University · $52,396 Missouri Western State University · $48,560 Chadron State College · $57,304 Lake Superior State University · $52,215 Mayville State University · $62,142 Montana State University - Billings · $53,134 New Mexico Highlands University · $52,089 Peru State College · $47,756 Shawnee State University · $46,265 Southwestern Oklahoma State University · $54,686 University of the District of Columbia · $57,593 Utah Valley University · $75,659 Wayne State College · $56,197 Weber State University · $59,007 Western New Mexico University · $53,957 North Carolina Wesleyan University · $55,250 Union University · $49,969 Southeastern University · $52,366 Stonehill College · $51,779 Point University · $60,451 Liberty University · $45,414 Baylor University · $57,855 Brescia University · $47,025 Warner University · $54,606 Ohio Dominican University · $53,716 Quincy University · $59,288 Oklahoma Baptist University · $55,117 Southern Wesleyan University · $61,590 Alvernia University · $46,495 Capital University · $52,117 High Point University · $55,887 Spring Arbor University · $42,676 University of Dayton · $54,171 Olivet Nazarene University · $50,367 Anderson University · $61,525 Cedarville University · $47,138 Harding University · $55,857 Judson University · $47,733 Manhattan College · $71,321 Messiah University · $53,157 Missouri Baptist University · $38,942 Concordia University Ann Arbor · $48,973 Mount St. Joseph University · $48,113 Evangel University · $44,709 Campbellsville University · $51,984 Hannibal-LaGrange University · $36,231 Our Lady of the Lake University · $57,764 Arcadia University · $63,818 Ashland University · $47,871 Avila University · $53,435 Concordia University - Nebraska · $56,604 Siena Heights University · $66,133 University of St Francis · $65,093 William Woods University · $47,962 Brigham Young University · $33,318 Concordia University Wisconsin · $50,735 Eastern University · $59,441 Seton Hall University · $68,683 Abilene Christian University · $54,699 Elmhurst University · $56,773 Lewis University · $49,964 Lee University · $40,047 Chaminade University of Honolulu · $56,037 Chestnut Hill College · $68,050 Niagara University · $51,789 St. Thomas Aquinas College · $72,121 Marian University · $69,122 Salve Regina University · $57,218 Oakland City University · $46,973 Colorado Christian University · $56,573 Millikin University · $51,990 Loyola University Chicago · $56,036 Baldwin Wallace University · $63,894 Trinity Christian College · $58,197 Holy Family University · $67,834 Touro University · $73,286 Tusculum University · $47,956 DeSales University · $55,970 St. Bonaventure University · $49,853 Trevecca Nazarene University · $48,036 University of Saint Joseph · $62,306 Carson-Newman University · $69,393 Molloy College · $54,967 Gonzaga University · $65,229 Benedictine University · $51,709 St. Joseph's University - New York · $56,521 University of Mount Union · $47,817 Walsh University · $46,540 Canisius University · $51,500 La Salle University · $61,781 Shorter University · $53,902 Grace College and Theological Seminary · $52,066 Otterbein University · $49,289 Marymount University · $63,803 Neumann University · $53,330 University of Findlay · $52,108 Xavier University · $50,422 Campbell University · $50,358 Roberts Wesleyan University · $45,279 Dominican University · $56,329 Concordia University - Chicago · $75,816 DePaul University · $56,419 Freed-Hardeman University · $49,081 Brenau University · $49,949 Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion · $46,008 Seattle Pacific University · $62,390 Dallas Baptist University · $56,253 Virginia Union University · $42,508 Brigham Young University - Idaho · $63,910 Le Moyne-Owen College · $51,417 Benedictine College · $51,352 Central Methodist University · $42,643 Syracuse University · $60,571 Lake Erie College · $48,393 Marist University · $57,279 Rockford University · $48,498 Bradley University · $50,483 Lincoln Memorial University · $48,587 Aurora University · $55,044 Lesley University · $64,040 Robert Morris University · $51,705 University of New England · $64,482 Wilkes University · $56,499 Bluffton University · $50,055 Lindenwood University · $44,132 Daemen University · $53,883 Marietta College · $54,915 University of Hartford · $56,294 Curry College · $54,621 Point Park University · $52,050 Roosevelt University · $58,376 Nova Southeastern University · $51,805 University of Rio Grande · $49,911 University of Virginia · $60,567 University of Georgia · $55,743 Purdue University · $57,150 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · $70,355 University of Wisconsin - Madison · $57,018 Florida State University · $54,521 Vanderbilt University · $60,915 Boston University · $57,138 Work College: mean $47,444 Female-only: mean $62,903 Liberal Arts: mean $52,974 Public University: mean $53,658 Religious University: mean $54,407 Private University: mean $53,887 Public University 1–15: mean $59,226 Private University 1–30: mean $59,027 All colleges: p10 $46,205 All colleges: p90 $62,914
Each dot = a college · y = degree-weighted earnings

Majors in this category

Major Colleges Degrees ▼ Male/Female Intl Earnings Employment
Special Education 418 5,262 11% / 89% 0% $53,927 96%
Special Education 368 4,180 12% / 88% 0% $53,528 96%
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 11 413 5% / 95% 0% $56,802 96%
Elementary Special Education 19 189 10% / 90% 2% $54,325 98%
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs 4 90 8% / 92% 0% $58,272 99%
Applied Special Education 1 87 18% / 82% 0% $52,973
Special Education and Teaching 12 64 6% / 94% 2% $56,802 96%
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities 3 39 3% / 97% 0% $52,107 96%
Developmental Disabilities Education 3 29 10% / 90% 0% $49,097 98%
Middle School Special Education 5 20 0% / 100% 5% $63,455 94%
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities 3 18 17% / 83% 0% $52,086 97%
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism 2 17 12% / 88% 0% $51,724 97%
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 2 17 0% / 100% 0% $54,188 96%
Learning Disabilities Education 7 14 29% / 71% 0% $54,091 99%
Education of Speech/Language Impaired 2 12 17% / 83% 0% $54,754
Secondary Special Education 5 11 36% / 64% 0% $53,210 100%
Intellectual Disabilities Education 2 10 10% / 90% 0% $60,428 98%
Inclusive Education with Blended Licensure 1 10 10% / 90% 0% $48,348 93%
Special Education (Elementary) 2 9 0% / 100% 0% $52,228 98%
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs 1 7 29% / 71% 0% $58,674 96%
Emotional Behavioral Disorders Education 2 6 50% / 50% 0% $59,004 99%
Multiple Disabilities Education 1 5 0% / 100% 0% $40,047 100%
Visual Disabilities Education 1 4 50% / 50% 0% $54,521 100%
Teacher Education: Special Education 1 3 0% / 100% 0% $54,108
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances 2 2 0% / 100% 0% $52,086 97%
Special Education (Secondary) 2 2 50% / 50% 0% $52,228 98%
Special Education - Intellectual Disabilities 1 2 50% / 50% 0% $61,590
Education of Hearing Impaired 3 1 0% / 100% 0% $54,246
Education of Orthopedically Disabled 1 1 0% / 100% 0% $51,724