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Bachelor's Degree in Special Education

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Bachelor’s Degrees in Special Education

9,368 Yearly Graduations
$38,748 Median Salary
$26,700 Median Debt
There are 553 colleges and univerities across the nation that offer a bachelor's degree in special ed. This degree is more popular with female students, and about 19% of recent graduates were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 0.4% of special ed graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Special Ed Majors

In 2020-2021, 9,368 bachelor's degrees were awarded to special ed majors. 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 21,797
Bachelor’s Degree 9,368
Graduate Certificate 3,157
Associate Degree 1,328
Basic Certificate 713
Undergraduate Certificate 225
Doctor’s Degree 204

Earnings of Special Ed Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in special ed is $38,748. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $35,725 to a high of $41,583.

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Student Debt

The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in special ed is $26,700. 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, $27,000 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $22,500.

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Those students who are paying back their debt on a 10-year repayment plan have a median monthly payment of $290.

Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in special ed. About 89.8% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 960
Women 8,408
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The racial-ethnic distribution of special ed bachelor’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 116
Black or African American 401
Hispanic or Latino 987
White 7,315
International Students 36
Other Races/Ethnicities 513
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There are 553 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in special ed. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah
836 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
15% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $7,162 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,500 per year. The special ed program at Western Governors University awarded 836 bachelor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 88% were women and 15% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#2

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
471 Yearly Graduations
93% Women
37% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $16,401 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,621 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 471 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Grand Canyon University. Of these students, 93% were women and 37% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

214 Yearly Graduations
93% Women
8% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $10,776 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,017 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 214 bachelor's degrees were handed out to special ed majors at BGSU. Of these students, 93% were women and 8% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#4

Towson University

Towson, Maryland
165 Yearly Graduations
92% Women
30% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $7,100 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,280 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 165 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Towson. About 92% of this group were women, and 30% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#5

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
160 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
18% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $10,932 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,805 per year. The special ed program at Illinois State University awarded 160 bachelor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 89% were women and 18% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#6

St. Joseph's College - New York

Brooklyn, New York
139 Yearly Graduations
92% Women
19% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $29,976 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $20,250 per year. The special ed program at St. Joseph's College - New York awarded 139 bachelor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 92% were women and 19% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#7

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
131 Yearly Graduations
95% Women
8% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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. The special ed program at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania awarded 131 bachelor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 95% of this group were women, and 8% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#8

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
113 Yearly Graduations
92% Women
13% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $15,409 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,847 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 113 bachelor's degrees were handed out to special ed majors at Liberty University. About 92% of this group were women, and 13% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

111 Yearly Graduations
84% Women
35% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $10,710 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,720 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 111 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from ASU - Tempe. About 84% of this group were women, and 35% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#10

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
105 Yearly Graduations
94% Women
8% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 105 bachelor's degrees were handed out to special ed majors at WCUPA. Around 8% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 94% were women.

#11

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
98 Yearly Graduations
92% Women
39% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $10,381 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,724 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 98 bachelor's degrees were handed out to special ed majors at NAU. Around 39% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 92% were women.

#12

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
93 Yearly Graduations
94% Women
17% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $7,572 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,359 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 93 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from WWU. Around 17% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 94% were women.

#13

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
85 Yearly Graduations
93% Women
5% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $7,361 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,027 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 85 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from UW - Eau Claire. About 93% of this group were women, and 5% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#14

SUNY Cortland

Cortland, New York
82 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
7% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 82 bachelor's degrees were handed out to special ed majors at SUNY Cortland. Of these students, 88% were women and 7% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#15

SUNY Geneseo

Geneseo, New York
78 Yearly Graduations
87% Women
12% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 2020-2021 academic year, 78 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from SUNY Geneseo. Around 12% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 87% were women.

#16

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio
77 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
5% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $9,196 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,453 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 77 bachelor's degrees were handed out to special ed majors at Youngstown State University. Of these students, 90% were women and 5% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#17

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama
76 Yearly Graduations
99% Women
16% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Auburn University comes in at #17 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 30,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,080 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,080 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 76 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Auburn. About 99% of this group were women, and 16% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

75 Yearly Graduations
87% Women
8% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $9,595 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,610 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 75 bachelor's degrees were handed out to special ed majors at University of Akron Main Campus. Around 8% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 87% were women.

#18

Utah State University

Logan, Utah
75 Yearly Graduations
93% Women
11% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $8,042 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,534 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 75 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from USU. Around 11% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 93% were women.

#20

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown, Pennsylvania
74 Yearly Graduations
93% Women
8% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 2020-2021 academic year, 74 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Kutztown University. Of these students, 93% were women and 8% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

Special Ed Focus Areas

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
General Special Education 6,824
Early Childhood Special Education 867
Elementary Special Education 562
Other Special Education & Teaching 380
Teaching for Learning Disabilities 197

Below are some popular majors that are similar to special ed that offer bachelor’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Teacher Education Grade Specific 53,664
Teacher Education Subject Specific 20,958
General Education 5,611
Other Education 1,728
Educational Assessment 1,336

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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