2026 Best Special Education Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Special Education certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1022 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Teaching Degree Search reviewed schools to build 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 Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 Special Education school in the United States. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical Special Education student debt is $18,387. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire Special Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
The strong Special Education programs at Santa Fe Community College earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Santa Fe, NM, Santa Fe Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,267 to complete their Special Education program here. See the full Santa Fe Community College profile
You'll be in good company at Nhti Concords Community College, which ranked #4 this year. Nhti Concords Community College is a public school based in Concord, NH. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. The median Special Education program debt is $18,046. More on Nhti Concords Community College
You'll be in good company at Ball State University, which ranked #5 this year. Ball State University is a public school based in Muncie, IN. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. The median Special Education program debt is $23,250. See the full Ball State University profile
Miami Dade College placed #6 among Special Education schools in the United States. Set in Miami, FL, Miami Dade College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,671 in student loans. See the full Miami Dade College profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. About 53% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,188 to complete their Special Education program here. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Viterbo University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Viterbo University is a private not-for-profit school based in La Crosse, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,250. Viterbo University Special Education students take on a median of $29,107 in debt. Read the full report on Viterbo University
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #10 among Special Education schools in the United States. Located in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Bowling Green State University Main Campus Special Education students take on a median of $26,313 in debt. Get the full Bowling Green State University Main Campus report
Minot State University placed #11 among Special Education schools in the United States. Set in Minot, ND, Minot State University is a public institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. The median Special Education program debt is $25,788. More on Minot State University
University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public school based in Menomonie, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical Special Education student debt is $30,000. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Stout report
Central Michigan University placed #13 among Special Education schools in the United States. Located in Mount Pleasant, MI, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Central Michigan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. More on Central Michigan University
Saint Mary Of The Woods College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Mary of the Woods, IN. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $34,240. Graduates carry a median of $27,773 in student loans. See the full Saint Mary Of The Woods College profile
University Of North Dakota placed #15 among Special Education schools in the United States. University Of North Dakota is a public school based in Grand Forks, ND. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete their Special Education program here. See the full University Of North Dakota profile
Alliant International University placed #16 among Special Education schools in the United States. Alliant International University is a private for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,254. The median Special Education program debt is $21,234. More on Alliant International University
La Roche College placed #17 among Special Education schools in the United States. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, La Roche College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $34,052. La Roche College Special Education students take on a median of $27,078 in debt. See the full La Roche College profile
Pima Community College landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Pima Community College is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,200 to complete their Special Education program here. Read the full report on Pima Community College
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in Worcester, MA, Quinsigamond Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Quinsigamond Community College Special Education students take on a median of $18,456 in debt. More on Quinsigamond Community College
Louisiana State University Alexandria came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in Alexandria, LA, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public institution. Louisiana State University Alexandria graduates 34% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. More on Louisiana State University Alexandria
Central New Mexico Community College did well this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete their Special Education program here. See the full Central New Mexico Community College profile
Missouri State University Springfield did well this year, earning the #22 position. Set in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical Special Education student debt is $22,500. Read more about Missouri State University Springfield
Boise State University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Based in Boise, ID, Boise State University is a public institution. Boise State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Boise State University Special Education students take on a median of $26,675 in debt. Get the full Boise State University report
Southeastern University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in Lakeland, FL, Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $32,950. The median Special Education program debt is $23,460. See the full Southeastern University profile
Campbellsville University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in Campbellsville, KY, Campbellsville University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Read the full report on Campbellsville University
Southeast Missouri State University placed #26 among Special Education schools in the United States. Based in Cape Girardeau, MO, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,903. Southeast Missouri State University Special Education students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full Southeast Missouri State University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Special Education Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Bridgewater State University placed #27 among Special Education schools in the United States. Located in Bridgewater, MA, Bridgewater State University is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Bridgewater State University report
Adams State College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. More on Adams State College
Bowie State University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. More on Bowie State University
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #29 in this year's ranking. See the full Florida State College At Jacksonville profile
Seattle Pacific University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. More on Seattle Pacific University
Albany State University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Read the full report on Albany State University
Coahoma Community College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Get the full Coahoma Community College report
Eastern Nazarene College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. More on Eastern Nazarene College
Hofstra University placed #34 among Special Education schools in the United States. More on Hofstra University
Indiana University South Bend came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Indiana University South Bend
Suny At Fredonia
Suny At Fredonia placed #36 among Special Education schools in the United States. More on Suny At Fredonia
University Of Akron Wayne College placed #37 among Special Education schools in the United States. See the full University Of Akron Wayne College profile
University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. More on University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Alder Graduate School Of Education landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Alder Graduate School Of Education
Baltimore City Community College placed #40 among Special Education schools in the United States. Read more about Baltimore City Community College
Carson Newman College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Read more about Carson Newman College
Eastern Connecticut State University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. See the full Eastern Connecticut State University profile
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #44 in this year's ranking. See the full The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga profile
Western Connecticut State University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. More on Western Connecticut State University
Xavier University Of Louisiana landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Xavier University Of Louisiana
Old Dominion University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Old Dominion University
Cuny Queens College landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. See the full Cuny Queens College profile
Palo Verde College did well this year, earning the #49 position. Get the full Palo Verde College report
University Of Maine came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Read more about University Of Maine
Related Special Education Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Special Education Schools (All Levels)
- 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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