Bachelor’s Degrees in Special Education
Education Levels of Special Ed Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 8,925 people earned their bachelor's degree in special ed. This earns it the #3 spot on the list of the most popular bachelor's degree programs in the nation.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in special ed at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 19,631 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 8,925 |
| Graduate Certificate | 3,743 |
| Associate Degree | 1,326 |
| Basic Certificate | 803 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 216 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 199 |
Earnings of Special Ed Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in special ed is $44,139. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $40,434 and the high is $48,316.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in special ed is $29,114. The length of time it takes you to graduate and what college you attend can affect this number quite a bit. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $34,023 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $23,756.
The median monthly payment of a special ed graduate with a 10-year repayment plan is $347.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in special ed. About 90.2% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 873 |
| Women | 8,052 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of special ed bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 126 |
| Black or African American | 413 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 975 |
| White | 6,868 |
| International Students | 42 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 501 |
Most Popular Special Ed Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 553 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in special ed. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
Western Governors University tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree. Each year, around 147,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,710 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,302 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 836 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from WGU. Of these students, 90% were women and 13% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that WGU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
Grand Canyon University is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Each year, around 103,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,390 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,138 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 471 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Grand Canyon University. Around 32% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 94% were women. Grand Canyon University special ed graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,139.
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 18,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,010 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,418 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 214 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from BGSU. About 95% of this group were women, and 8% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus special ed graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,139.
Towson University comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 21,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,382 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,108 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 165 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Towson. About 91% of this group were women, and 28% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Towson graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
Illinois State University comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Roughly 20,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,000 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,971 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 160 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Illinois State. Of these students, 89% were women and 11% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Illinois State graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
The 6th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is St. Joseph's College - New York. Each year, around 5,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $33,825 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $22,860 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 139 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from SJC. Around 19% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 95% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at St. Joseph's College - New York make a median salary of 44,139.
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Roughly 8,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,716 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,288 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 131 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from SRU. Of these students, 92% were women and 4% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that SRU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
The 8th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Liberty University. Each year, around 93,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,740 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 113 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Liberty University. Of these students, 95% were women and 18% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at Liberty University make a median salary of 44,139.
Arizona State University - Tempe is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Each year, around 74,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,376 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 111 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from ASU - Tempe. About 94% of this group were women, and 47% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that ASU - Tempe graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Each year, around 17,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,716 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,288 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 105 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from WCUPA. About 95% of this group were women, and 7% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at West Chester University of Pennsylvania make a median salary of 44,139.
Northern Arizona University comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Roughly 29,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,674 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 98 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from NAU. About 94% of this group were women, and 41% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at Northern Arizona University make a median salary of 44,139.
The 12th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Western Washington University. Each year, around 15,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,997 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,167 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 93 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from WWU. About 91% of this group were women, and 24% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Western Washington University special ed graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,139.
The 13th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Roughly 11,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,645 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,630 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 85 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from UW - Eau Claire. Around 2% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 94% were women. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire special ed graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,139.
SUNY Cortland comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 6,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,070 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,310 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 82 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from SUNY Cortland. Of these students, 93% were women and 13% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. SUNY Cortland special ed graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,139.
SUNY Geneseo is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Each year, around 4,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,070 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,310 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 78 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from SUNY Geneseo. Of these students, 91% were women and 3% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that SUNY Geneseo graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
Youngstown State University is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Each year, around 11,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,611 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,547 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 77 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Youngstown State University. About 9% of this group were women, and 9% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Youngstown State University special ed graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,139.
Auburn University comes in at #17 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,704 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,692 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 76 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Auburn. Of these students, 100% were women and 4% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Auburn graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
The 18th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Akron Main Campus. Each year, around 16,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,399 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,325 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 75 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from University of Akron Main Campus. Of these students, 86% were women and 12% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of Akron Main Campus special ed graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,139.
Utah State University comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Roughly 27,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,387 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,763 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 75 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from USU. Of these students, 92% were women and 10% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that USU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Roughly 7,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,716 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,288 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 74 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Kutztown University. About 92% of this group were women, and 17% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania make a median salary of 44,139.
Special Ed Focus Areas
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| General Special Education | 6,415 |
| Early Childhood Special Education | 986 |
| Elementary Special Education | 602 |
| Other Special Education & Teaching | 358 |
| Teaching for Learning Disabilities | 173 |
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to special ed that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education Grade Specific | 51,587 |
| Teacher Education Subject Specific | 18,931 |
| General Education | 6,922 |
| Educational Assessment | 2,111 |
| Other Education | 1,660 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By woodleywonderworks under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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