2026 Best Special Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Special Education graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1022 institutions 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.
To arm you with the information you need, 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Minnesota State University Mankato, our #1 Special Education school in the United States. Set in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical Special Education student debt is $27,000. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
A rank of #3 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. University Of Virginia Main Campus Special Education students take on a median of $18,627 in debt. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Out of the 1022 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Purdue University Main Campus landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. About 83% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical Special Education student debt is $26,276. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Out of the 1022 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Saint Marys College Of California landed the #5 spot. Set in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,803. Saint Marys College Of California Special Education students take on a median of $25,041 in debt. More on Saint Marys College Of California
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. The median Special Education program debt is $19,500. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
Towson University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. This public school is set in Towson, MD. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical Special Education student debt is $19,750. Get the full Towson University report
George Mason University did well this year, earning the #8 position. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. The median Special Education program debt is $23,529. Get the full George Mason University report
Appalachian State University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Appalachian State University is a public school based in Boone, NC. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Special Education program here. Read the full report on Appalachian State University
Ball State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Based in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. Ball State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Ball State University Special Education students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Read the full report on Ball State University
The College Of New Jersey landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ewing, NJ. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. The College Of New Jersey Special Education students take on a median of $25,228 in debt. See the full The College Of New Jersey profile
George Washington University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. The median Special Education program debt is $22,910. Get the full George Washington University report
Illinois State University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Based in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Graduates carry a median of $20,436 in student loans. Get the full Illinois State University report
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Bourbonnais, IL, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. Typical Special Education student debt is $26,797. See the full Olivet Nazarene University profile
Augusta University placed #15 among Special Education schools in the United States. Based 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Typical Special Education student debt is $25,745. Read the full report on Augusta University
Winona State University placed #16 among Special Education schools in the United States. Set in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Winona State University Special Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Winona State University
Minot State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Minot State University is a public school based in Minot, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete their Special Education program here. More on Minot State University
University Of Florida came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Special Education student debt is $17,669. More on University Of Florida
Viterbo University did well this year, earning the #19 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in La Crosse, WI. Viterbo University graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,250. Students borrow a median of $29,107 to complete their Special Education program here. See the full Viterbo University profile
Georgia College And State University did well this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Milledgeville, GA. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,512 for out-of-state students. The median Special Education program debt is $26,000. More on Georgia College And State University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #21 among Special Education schools in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. The median Special Education program debt is $18,387. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #22 among Special Education schools in the United States. Based in Fairbanks, AK, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution. University Of Alaska Fairbanks posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,083, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Typical Special Education student debt is $23,439. Get the full University Of Alaska Fairbanks report
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Special Education program here. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Cuny City College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Cuny City College is a public school based in New York, NY. Cuny City College graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Cuny City College Special Education students take on a median of $13,389 in debt. Get the full Cuny City College report
Rowan University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Rowan University is a public school based in Glassboro, NJ. Rowan University graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Get the full Rowan University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Special Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of West Georgia placed #26 among Special Education schools in the United States. Set in Carrollton, GA, University Of West Georgia is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Typical Special Education student debt is $26,789. Read more about University Of West Georgia
University Of Kansas placed #27 among Special Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. University Of Kansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. The median Special Education program debt is $23,608. Get the full University Of Kansas report
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Charlotte, NC. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. The median Special Education program debt is $26,602. See the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte profile
Hamline University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in Saint Paul, MN, Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,004. Typical Special Education student debt is $25,530. See the full Hamline University profile
James Madison University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Based in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Get the full James Madison University report
East Carolina University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. This public school is set in Greenville, NC. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Graduates carry a median of $26,416 in student loans. More on East Carolina University
University Of Dayton ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dayton posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Students borrow a median of $20,612 to complete their Special Education program here. Read more about University Of Dayton
Rider University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Based in Lawrenceville, NJ, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Rider University Special Education students take on a median of $26,241 in debt. See the full Rider University profile
Midland University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Based in Fremont, NE, Midland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,050. The median Special Education program debt is $27,536. More on Midland University
California State University Los Angeles landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Based in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete their Special Education program here. Read the full report on California State University Los Angeles
Whitworth University placed #36 among Special Education schools in the United States. Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. Whitworth University graduates 71% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Students borrow a median of $26,051 to complete their Special Education program here. Read the full report on Whitworth University
California State University Long Beach did well this year, earning the #37 position. Based in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. California State University Long Beach posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. The median Special Education program debt is $15,671. See the full California State University Long Beach profile
University Of Georgia ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. University Of Georgia Special Education students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #39 among Special Education schools in the United States. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in West Chester, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Read the full report on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Set in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Texas Tech University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. Texas Tech University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. More on Texas Tech University
National University did well this year, earning the #42 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete their Special Education program here. Read the full report on National University
Montclair State University did well this year, earning the #43 position. This public school is set in Montclair, NJ. Montclair State University graduates 65% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. The median Special Education program debt is $25,286. Get the full Montclair State University report
University Of North Dakota placed #44 among Special Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in Grand Forks, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. University Of North Dakota Special Education students take on a median of $25,110 in debt. Read more about University Of North Dakota
University Of Alaska Anchorage ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. University Of Alaska Anchorage is a public school based in Anchorage, AK. About 28% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,738, compared with $21,322 for out-of-state students. Typical Special Education student debt is $21,787. See the full University Of Alaska Anchorage profile
College Of William And Mary did well this year, earning the #47 position. Based in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. Read the full report on College Of William And Mary
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Baldwin Wallace College is a private not-for-profit school based in Berea, OH. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,832. Typical Special Education student debt is $27,307. See the full Baldwin Wallace College profile
Loyola University Chicago did well this year, earning the #49 position. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical Special Education student debt is $23,521. Read more about Loyola University Chicago
Drexel University came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Typical Special Education student debt is $28,838. See the full Drexel University profile
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #51 among Special Education schools in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a public school based in Brooklyn, NY. Cuny Brooklyn College posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Cuny Brooklyn College Special Education students take on a median of $13,303 in debt. See the full Cuny Brooklyn College profile
Related Special Education Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Special Education Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Special Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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).