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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Special Education in the Southwest Region

68 Ranked Colleges
$22,400 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Special Education is the 29th most popular major in the country with 35,973 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , special education graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $45,680 and had an average of $27,516 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 5,814 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,069 and $26,644 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region” ranking looked at 68 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in special education. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their special education program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Special Education in the Southwest Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Arizona State University - Skysong. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. ASU - Skysong is a large school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 1,523 ’s special ed degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Arizona State University - Skysong

2
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Canyon University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 1,850 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Grand Canyon University

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. Odessa, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 68 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UT Permian Basin Special Education Report

4
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas

Out of the 68 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Lamar University landed the #4 spot on the list. Lamar University is located in Beaumont, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 479 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Lamar University

5

Out of the 68 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of the Southwest landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Hobbs, New Mexico, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at University of the Southwest

6

University of St. Thomas landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Houston, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 23 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at University of St. Thomas

7
MSU Texas crest
MSU Texas
Wichita Falls, Texas

MSU Texas ranked #7 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. Located in Wichita Falls, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 45 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at MSU Texas

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Houston - Victoria did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. UH Victoria is a small school located in Victoria, Texas that handed out 28 ’s special ed degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Houston - Victoria Special Education Report

9
New Mexico Highlands University crest
New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, New Mexico

New Mexico Highlands University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #9. New Mexico Highlands University is located in Las Vegas, New Mexico and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 34 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at New Mexico Highlands University

10
Dine College crest
Dine College
Tsaile, Arizona

Dine College ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. Tsaile, Arizona is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 3 students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Special Education at Dine College

11

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. Located in Chickasha, Oklahoma, this small public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

12

With a ranking of #12, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. Edinburg, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 128 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at UT Rio Grande Valley

13
NAU crest
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona

With a ranking of #13, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. NAU is a large public school situated in Flagstaff, Arizona. It awarded 187 ’s special ed degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at NAU

14

Lubbock Christian University ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. LCU is located in Lubbock, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 10 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full LCU Special Education Report

15

With a ranking of #15, Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. ENMU - Main Campus is located in Portales, New Mexico and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 35 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at ENMU - Main Campus

16

Ottawa University - Phoenix ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. This small school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 7 ’s special ed degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Special Education at Ottawa University - Phoenix

17

With a ranking of #17, Hardin - Simmons University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. Abilene, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 3 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Hardin - Simmons

18
Prescot College crest
Prescott College
Prescott, Arizona

With a ranking of #18, Prescott College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. Prescot College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Prescott, Arizona. It awarded 17 ’s special ed degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Prescot College

19
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University ranked #19 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school handed out 123 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Special Education at Texas Tech

20

With a ranking of #20, Northeastern State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. NSU is a medium-sized public school situated in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It awarded 24 ’s special ed degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full NSU Special Education Report

21

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. Stephen F Austin State University is located in Nacogdoches, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 20 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SFASU Special Education Report

22

Southwestern Oklahoma State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #22. SWOSU is a small public school situated in Weatherford, Oklahoma. It awarded 19 ’s special ed degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at SWOSU

23

East Central University ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. This small school is located in Ada, Oklahoma, and it awarded 5 ’s special ed degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at East Central University

24
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 90 ’s special ed degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at University of Arizona

25

With a ranking of #25, University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in the Southwest Region list. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school awarded 38 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UNM Special Education Report

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References

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