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Most Popular Special Education Schools in Virginia

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2023 Most Popular Special Education Schools in Virginia

20 Colleges
$46,837 Avg Salary
$31,153 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Special Education School for You

In 2020-2021, special education students earned 1,238 degrees and certificates from a Virginia school, making the subject the 4th in the state.

It's not easy to decide which teaching program to enroll in when you have so many options available. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Teaching Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Special Education Schools in Virginia ranking. Our analysis looked at 20 schools in Virginia to see which programs were the most popular for teaching students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Special Education program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Special Education Colleges.

#1

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

Our 2023 rankings named Liberty University the most popular school in Virginia for special education students. Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg.

On average, special ed graduates from Liberty University take out $31,153 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Special Education at Liberty University

#2

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means George Mason University is a great place for special education students. GMU is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax.

Full Special Education at George Mason University Report

#3

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA

Out of the 20 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Old Dominion University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Old Dominion is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Norfolk.

Read More…

#4

Radford University

Radford, VA

The excellent programs at Radford University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best special education schools in Virginia. Located in the small suburb of Radford, Radford is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Full Special Education at Radford University Report

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Virginia Commonwealth University is a great place for special education students. VCU is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Richmond.

Read full report on Special Education at Virginia Commonwealth University

#6

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for special education students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the small city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public school with a very large student population.

Full Special Education at James Madison University Report

#7

Shenandoah University

Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Special Education Schools in Virginia list. Shenandoah is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Winchester.

Full Special Education at Shenandoah University Report

#8

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Special Education Schools in Virginia list. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

Full Special Education at Regent University Report

#9

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA

William & Mary ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Special Education Schools in Virginia list. William & Mary is a medium-sized public school located in the small suburb of Williamsburg.

Full Special Education at William & Mary Report

#10

Averett University

Danville, VA

Averett University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for special education students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the town of Danville, AU is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Full Special Education at Averett University Report

Best Special Education Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Most Popular Special Education Schools in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Kentucky 608
Tennessee 354
North Carolina 477
Georgia 550
Florida 1,103
West Virginia 46
South Carolina 266
Arkansas 351
Louisiana 103
Mississippi 269
Alabama 437

Special Education is one of 14 different types of teaching programs to choose from.

Special Ed Concentrations

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

Majors Similar 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 20 schools only.

  • 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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