by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 200 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for special education students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 8,925 bachelor's degrees in special education to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Your choice of special education for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for special education students working on their bachelor's degree.
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.
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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in special education. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Illinois State University is a wonderful decision for students interested in a bachelor's degree in special education. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public university with a very large student population.
Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from Illinois State University get an earnings boost of around $4,241 above the typical earnings of special education graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Illinois State University
The College of New Jersey is a great decision for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in special education. Located in the large suburb of Ewing, TCNJ is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a bachelor’s in special education from The College of New Jersey
Towson University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in special education. Located in the small city of Towson, Towson is a public university with a large student population.
Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from Towson University earn a boost of approximately $9,214 above the average income of special education majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Towson University
Any student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in special education needs to check out Syracuse University. Syracuse is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Syracuse.
Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from Syracuse University receive an earnings boost of approximately $11,764 over the typical earnings of special education graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Syracuse University
Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population.
Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities make $5,654 more than the typical special ed student.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Located in the small city of Flagstaff, NAU is a public university with a very large student population.
Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University make $3,493 more than the average special ed student.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Northern Arizona University
Ball State is a very large public university located in the city of Muncie.
Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from Ball State University earn a boost of around $3,382 above the average earnings of special education graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Ball State University
Located in the city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a very large student population.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the special ed program state that they receive average early career income of $43,137.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Georgia
Located in the town of Storrs, UCONN is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Connecticut
IU Bloomington is a fairly large public university located in the city of Bloomington.
Bachelor's recipients from the special education major at Indiana University - Bloomington earn $7,189 above the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Indiana University - Bloomington
Manhattan is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Riverdale.More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Manhattan University
Kent State is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Kent.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the special ed program earn around $39,139 for their early career.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Kent State University at Kent
WGU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Salt Lake City.
Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from Western Governors University earn a boost of around $2,154 above the average earnings of special education majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Western Governors University
WWU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Bellingham.
Bachelor's recipients from the special education major at Western Washington University make $8,795 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Western Washington University
Molloy is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Rockville Centre.More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Molloy College
Located in the large city of Charlotte, UNC Charlotte is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the special ed program earn about $42,692 in their early career salary.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of North Carolina at Charlotte
SUNY Cortland is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Cortland.More information about a bachelor’s in special education from SUNY Cortland
GMU is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Fairfax.More information about a bachelor’s in special education from George Mason University
BGSU is a fairly large public university located in the fringe town of Bowling Green.
After graduating, special ed bachelor's recipients usually make an average of $38,671 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Bowling Green State University - Main Campus
Located in the city of Logan, USU is a public university with a very large student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the special education degree program at Utah State University get $17,357 more than the standard graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Utah State University
ECU is a very large public university located in the city of Greenville.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the special ed program report average early career wages of $44,185.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from East Carolina University
UDayton is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Dayton.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the special ed program make an average of $45,260 in their early career salary.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Dayton
Located in the large city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit university with a fairly large student population.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the special ed program report average early career wages of $43,258.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Grand Canyon University
UC is a very large public university located in the city of Cincinnati.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the special ed program make around $42,347 in their early career salary.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Located in the small city of Kalamazoo, WMU is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from Western Michigan University get an earnings boost of about $3,751 over the typical earnings of special education graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Western Michigan University
Here are some additional great schools for Special Education students that almost earned our Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools award.
View the Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
One of 14 majors within the Education area of study, Special Education has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education Grade Specific | 51,587 |
| Teacher Education Subject Specific | 18,931 |
| General Education | 6,922 |
| Educational Assessment | 2,111 |
| Other Education | 1,660 |
| Educational Administration | 586 |
| Education Philosophy | 450 |
| Teaching English or French | 302 |
| Instructional Media Design | 116 |
| Multilingual Education | 89 |
