2023 Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee
Finding the Best Special Education School for You
In 2020-2021, special education students earned 354 degrees and certificates from a Tennessee school, making the subject the 6th in the state.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which teaching program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Teaching Degree Search has developed this Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee ranking. Our analysis looked at 21 schools in Tennessee to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for teaching students.
View our full ranking methodology.
Featured schools near , edit
2023 Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee
The colleges and universities below are the best for special ed majors pursuing a .
Top 10 Best Special Education Schools
Our 2023 rankings named Vanderbilt University the best school in Tennessee for special education students. Vanderbilt is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville.
Read full report on Special Education at Vanderbilt University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tennessee Technological University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee list. Tennessee Tech University is a moderately-sized public school located in the remote town of Cookeville.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Memphis. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee list. Located in the large city of Memphis, UofM is a public college with a very large student population.
The average amount in student loans that special ed majors at UofM take out is $21,125.
Out of the 21 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Middle Tennessee State University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Middle Tennessee State University is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Murfreesboro.
After completing their degree, special ed graduates from Middle Tennessee State University carry an average student debtload of $21,200.
Full Special Education at Middle Tennessee State University Report
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a great place for special education students. UT Knoxville is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville.
On average, special ed graduates from UT Knoxville take out $20,500 in student loans while working on their degree.
Read full report on Special Education at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
With a ranking of #6, Union University did quite well on this year’s best schools for special education students. Union is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Jackson.
With a ranking of #7, Lipscomb University did quite well on this year’s best schools for special education students. Lipscomb is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville.
With a ranking of #8, Freed-Hardeman University did quite well on this year’s best schools for special education students. FHU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Henderson.
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga ranked #9 on this year’s Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee list. UT Chattanooga is a large public school located in the midsize city of Chattanooga.
Full Special Education at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Report
Lee University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best special education programs. Located in the small city of Cleveland, Lee University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
While working on their degree, special ed majors at Lee University accumulate an average of around $28,750 in student debt.
Best Special Education Colleges in the Southeast Region
Explore all the Best Special Education Schools in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.
State | Degrees Awarded |
---|---|
Kentucky | 608 |
North Carolina | 477 |
Florida | 1,103 |
Georgia | 550 |
Virginia | 1,238 |
West Virginia | 46 |
South Carolina | 266 |
Arkansas | 351 |
Louisiana | 103 |
Mississippi | 269 |
Alabama | 437 |
More Special Education Rankings in Tennessee
Special Education Related Rankings by Major
One of 14 majors within the teaching area of study, special education has other similar majors worth exploring.
Special Ed Focus Areas
Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
General Special Education | 24,497 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs | 3,111 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities | 1,789 |
Elementary Special Education | 1,625 |
Other Special Education & Teaching | 1,227 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism | 1,133 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs | 655 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities | 540 |
Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented | 504 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments | 415 |
Education of the Deaf | 363 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances | 226 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed | 222 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/Middle School Special Education Programs | 181 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness | 134 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities | 122 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic & Other Physical Health Impairments | 47 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries | 1 |
Most Popular Majors Related to Special Ed
Related Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
Teacher Education Grade Specific | 110,226 |
Educational Administration | 46,469 |
Teacher Education Subject Specific | 43,297 |
General Education | 29,810 |
Curriculum & Instruction | 19,832 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 21 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to woodleywonderworks.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info | Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |