2026 Best Special Education Schools
Looking for the best Special Education programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1022 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Teaching Degree Search analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Special Education Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Western Washington University to be the best Special Education school in the United States. Western Washington University is a public school based in Bellingham, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. The median Special Education program debt is $29,284. Read more about Western Washington University
A rank of #2 makes Gonzaga University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Gonzaga University Special Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Gonzaga University report
Out of the 1022 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Lebanon Valley College landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Annville, PA. About 65% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $52,080 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Lebanon Valley College report
A rank of #4 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the top choices in the United States. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
The strong Special Education programs at Central Washington University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set in Ellensburg, WA, Central Washington University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete their Special Education program here. See the full Central Washington University profile
The College Of New Jersey placed #6 among Special Education schools in the United States. The College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Ewing, NJ. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. The median Special Education program debt is $25,228. More on The College Of New Jersey
Towson University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Towson University is a public school based in Towson, MD. Towson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical Special Education student debt is $19,750. Read more about Towson University
Hope College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Holland, MI, Hope College is a private not-for-profit institution. Hope College posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,484. Graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans. Read the full report on Hope College
Teachers College At Columbia University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile
Johns Hopkins University placed #10 among Special Education schools in the United States. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Special Education program here. More on Johns Hopkins University
Bank Street College Of Education did well this year, earning the #11 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. More on Bank Street College Of Education
York College Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in York, PA, York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. The median Special Education program debt is $27,000. Get the full York College Pennsylvania report
Saint Marys College Of California did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,803. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete their Special Education program here. Get the full Saint Marys College Of California report
Baylor University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. The median Special Education program debt is $23,928. Get the full Baylor University report
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System placed #15 among Special Education schools in the United States. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public school based in Aliso Viejo, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,540. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System Special Education students take on a median of $27,471 in debt. Read the full report on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Juniata College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Located in Huntingdon, PA, Juniata College is a private not-for-profit institution. Juniata College graduates 74% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,580. The median Special Education program debt is $26,976. Read the full report on Juniata College
Dakota State University did well this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Madison, SD. Dakota State University graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $12,756. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their Special Education program here. More on Dakota State University
Illinois State University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Illinois State University is a public school based in Normal, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical Special Education student debt is $20,436. More on Illinois State University
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. The median Special Education program debt is $22,863. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical Special Education student debt is $16,481. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Minnesota State University Mankato did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical Special Education student debt is $27,000. Read more about Minnesota State University Mankato
Fresno Pacific University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in Fresno, CA, Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete their Special Education program here. See the full Fresno Pacific University profile
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #23 position. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. About 93% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
Saint Martins University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Lacey, WA, Saint Martins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $45,510. Typical Special Education student debt is $22,818. Get the full Saint Martins University report
Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Set in San Diego, CA, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Point Loma Nazarene University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. In-state tuition and fees average $46,250. Typical Special Education student debt is $22,542. Read the full report on Point Loma Nazarene University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Special Education Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Scranton did well this year, earning the #26 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Scranton, PA. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,777. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete their Special Education program here. More on University Of Scranton
Elizabethtown College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. Typical Special Education student debt is $26,599. More on Elizabethtown College
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #28 among Special Education schools in the United States. Based in Shippensburg, PA, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete their Special Education program here. Get the full Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania report
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $26,276 in student loans. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
Syracuse University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Syracuse University Special Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Syracuse University
Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #31 position. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. The median Special Education program debt is $22,960. Read the full report on Texas Christian University
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. The median Special Education program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $18,925 to complete their Special Education program here. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in Millersville, PA. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. The median Special Education program debt is $29,737. Read the full report on Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Manhattan College did well this year, earning the #35 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Riverdale, NY. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,400 in tuition and fees. The median Special Education program debt is $26,329. Read the full report on Manhattan College
Winona State University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Based in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Winona State University Special Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Winona State University report
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #37 position. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. The median Special Education program debt is $13,975. Read more about Vanderbilt University
Seattle University placed #38 among Special Education schools in the United States. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Seattle University graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,721. Students borrow a median of $22,289 to complete their Special Education program here. Read more about Seattle University
Seton Hall University did well this year, earning the #39 position. Set in South Orange, NJ, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full Seton Hall University report
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #40 among Special Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in West Chester, PA. About 70% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Read the full report on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
California State University Los Angeles placed #41 among Special Education schools in the United States. California State University Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. The median Special Education program debt is $14,430. Read more about California State University Los Angeles
Westminster College Pa ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in New Wilmington, PA, Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $40,290. The median Special Education program debt is $26,528. Get the full Westminster College Pa report
Indiana University Bloomington did well this year, earning the #43 position. Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Special Education program here. Read the full report on Indiana University Bloomington
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bourbonnais, IL. Olivet Nazarene University graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Olivet Nazarene University Special Education students take on a median of $26,797 in debt. Read more about Olivet Nazarene University
Wisconsin Lutheran College placed #45 among Special Education schools in the United States. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates 64% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $36,110 in tuition and fees. The median Special Education program debt is $26,916. More on Wisconsin Lutheran College
Northern State University placed #46 among Special Education schools in the United States. Northern State University is a public school based in Aberdeen, SD. About 55% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. The median Special Education program debt is $26,143. Get the full Northern State University report
Carroll University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Located in Waukesha, WI, Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,890. Graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans. More on Carroll University
Seattle Pacific University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Set in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees average $40,407. Graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. See the full Seattle Pacific University profile
Augusta University placed #49 among Special Education schools in the United States. Located in Augusta, GA, Augusta University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical Special Education student debt is $25,745. Get the full Augusta University report
University Of Dayton did well this year, earning the #50 position. University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit school based in Dayton, OH. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. The median Special Education program debt is $20,612. See the full University Of Dayton profile
Best Special Education Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Special Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Special Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Special Education Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Special Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Special Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1022 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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