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Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee

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2023 Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee

21 Colleges
$39,838 Avg Salary
$21,956 Avg Student Debt

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.

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

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

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.

Read More…

#3

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN

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.

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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

#6

Union University

Jackson, TN

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.

Read full report on Special Education at Union University

#7

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN

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.

Read More…

#8

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, TN

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.

Full Special Education at Freed-Hardeman University Report

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

#10

Lee University

Cleveland, TN

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.

Full Special Education at Lee University Report

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

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

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.

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