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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Special Education in the Southeast Region

135 Colleges in the Southeast Region
3,172 Master's Degrees
$44,573 Avg Early-Career Salary
Special Education is of the hottest master's degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #9 most popular major in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 135 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the most popular for special education students pursuing a master's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 3,172 master's degrees in special education to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Special Education School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Special Education in the Southeast Region Your choice of school for getting your master's degree in special ed matters. We created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Special Education in the Southeast Region ranking to make it a little easier to choose the right one for you.

A high popularity ranking isn't always a sign that a school has a great overall quality ranking for special education, but it does mean that many students are choosing the school for some reason. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools

Associate Degrees in Special Ed
Bachelor's Degrees in Special Ed
Doctor's Degrees in Special Ed
Overall Popularity in Special Ed

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for special education.


 

Learn about the most popular colleges and universities for special education students seeking a a master's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

20 Most Well Attended Schools for Special Ed Students Working on Their Master's

1
341 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#1 Best Quality In VA

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in special education needs to look into George Mason University. GMU is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Fairfax. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Virginia.

There were approximately 341 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent data year.

Those special education students who get their master's degree from George Mason University receive $11,927 more than the average special ed graduate.

More information about a master’s in special education from George Mason University

2
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
290 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In VA
#9 Best Quality In VA

Liberty University is a popular option for individuals pursuing a master's degree in special education. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #9 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Virginia.

There were about 290 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program state that they receive average early career income of $41,900.

More information about a master’s in special education from Liberty University

3
152 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AR
#3 Best Quality In AR

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Arkansas State University - Main Campus if you wish to pursue a master's degree in special education. A-State is a large public university located in the small city of Jonesboro. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Arkansas.

There were about 152 special education students who graduated with this degree at A-State in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduation, special ed master's recipients generally earn around $43,700 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a master’s in special education from Arkansas State University - Main Campus

4
137 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#3 Best Quality In FL

The University of West Florida is a popular decision for students interested in a master's degree in special education. Located in the small city of Pensacola, UWF is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Florida.

There were roughly 137 special education students who graduated with this degree at UWF in the most recent data year.

Those special education students who get their master's degree from The University of West Florida receive $2,827 more than the standard special ed student.

More information about a master’s in special education from The University of West Florida

5
126 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KY
#3 Best Quality In KY

Cumberlands is a large private not-for-profit university located in the town of Williamsburg. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Kentucky.

There were approximately 126 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at Cumberlands in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's students who receive their degree from the special ed program make about $37,200 for their early career.

More information about a master’s in special education from University of the Cumberlands

6
96 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AL
#5 Best Quality In AL

Located in the rural area of Livingston, University of West Alabama is a public university with a medium-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Alabama.

There were about 96 special education students who graduated with this degree at University of West Alabama in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program report average early career wages of $46,400.

More information about a master’s in special education from University of West Alabama

7
Georgetown College crest
Georgetown College
Georgetown, KY
90 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In KY
#4 Best Quality In KY

Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the fringe town of Georgetown. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Kentucky.

There were about 90 special education students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown College in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in special education from Georgetown College

8
William Carey University crest
William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MS
85 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MS
#2 Best Quality In MS

Located in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Mississippi.

There were approximately 85 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at William Carey University in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the special ed program make an average of $37,300 in their early career salary.

More information about a master’s in special education from William Carey University

9
74 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In GA
#3 Best Quality In GA

Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Georgia.

There were approximately 74 special education students who graduated with this degree at Georgia State in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program state that they receive average early career wages of $46,300.

More information about a master’s in special education from Georgia State University

10
65 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In FL
#4 Best Quality In FL

FIU is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Miami. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Florida.

There were about 65 special education students who graduated with this degree at FIU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in special education from Florida International University

11
63 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MS
#1 Best Quality In MS

MC is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Clinton. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Mississippi.

There were approximately 63 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at MC in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's students who receive their degree from the special ed program earn an average of $40,900 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a master’s in special education from Mississippi College

12
61 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In KY
#9 Best Quality In KY

Eastern is a fairly large public university located in the distant town of Richmond. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #9 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Kentucky.

There were about 61 special education students who graduated with this degree at Eastern in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program state that they receive average early career earnings of $37,700.

More information about a master’s in special education from Eastern Kentucky University

13
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
55 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TN
#1 Best Quality In TN

Vanderbilt is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Nashville. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Tennessee.

There were roughly 55 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program state that they receive average early career income of $44,300.

More information about a master’s in special education from Vanderbilt University

13
NUS Florida crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
55 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In FL
#9 Best Quality In FL

NUS Florida is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Fort Lauderdale. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #9 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Florida.

There were roughly 55 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at NUS Florida in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program state that they receive average early career wages of $46,000.

More information about a master’s in special education from Nova Southeastern University

15
51 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In VA
#6 Best Quality In VA

Located in the medium-sized city of Norfolk, Old Dominion is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Virginia.

There were roughly 51 special education students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduating, special ed master's recipients typically make about $43,900 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a master’s in special education from Old Dominion University

16
46 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WV
#1 Best Quality In WV

Located in the city of Morgantown, WVU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in special education in West Virginia.

There were roughly 46 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at WVU in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program report average early career earnings of $40,400.

More information about a master’s in special education from West Virginia University

17
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
44 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In VA
#5 Best Quality In VA

Radford is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Radford. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Virginia.

There were about 44 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at Radford in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the special ed program earn about $43,400 in their early career salary.

More information about a master’s in special education from Radford University

18
43 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In FL
#5 Best Quality In FL

UCF is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Orlando. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Florida.

There were approximately 43 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at UCF in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in special education from University of Central Florida

19
42 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In SC
#3 Best Quality In SC

Located in the small suburb of Florence, Francis Marion University is a public university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in special education in South Carolina.

There were approximately 42 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at Francis Marion University in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the special ed program earn an average of $43,000 in their early career salary.

More information about a master’s in special education from Francis Marion University

20
41 Annual Master's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In VA
#4 Best Quality In VA

Located in the city of Richmond, VCU is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Virginia.

There were roughly 41 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at VCU in the most recent data year.

Master's recipients from the special education program at Virginia Commonwealth University make $2,127 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in special education from Virginia Commonwealth University

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Special Education in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
27 Southeastern University Lakeland, FL
21 Regent University Virginia Beach, VA
21 Auburn University Auburn, AL
23 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
24 Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA
24 Columbus State University Columbus, GA
24 University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA

Best Special Education Colleges by State

Explore the most popular special education colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Florida 206 423
Georgia 186 237
Virginia 175 755
North Carolina 167 81
Tennessee 156 126
Alabama 147 262
South Carolina 141 103
Louisiana 140 38
Kentucky 140 361
Mississippi 120 241
Arkansas 119 300
West Virginia 108 84

View All Rankings >

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

Special Ed Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Special Education 2,467
Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented 204
Other Special Education & Teaching 191
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities 94
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 78
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments 49
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 34
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness 27
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism 10
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/Middle School Special Education Programs 5

Majors Similar to Special Ed

Related Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 7,083
Educational Administration 6,283
Student Counseling 3,489
Teacher Education Subject Specific 3,251
Curriculum & Instruction 3,229
General Education 2,086
Instructional Media Design 958
Teaching English or French 414
Other Education 261
Educational Assessment 65

Notes and References

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