Bachelor’s Degrees in Special Education
Education Levels of Special Ed Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 8,925 people earned their bachelor's degree in special ed. This earns it the #55 spot on the list of the most popular bachelor's degree programs in the nation.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in special ed at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 19,631 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 8,925 |
| Graduate Certificate | 3,743 |
| Associate Degree | 1,326 |
| Basic Certificate | 803 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 216 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 199 |
Earnings of Special Ed Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in special ed is $44,139. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $40,434 and the high is $48,316.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in special ed is $29,114. The length of time it takes you to graduate and what college you attend can affect this number quite a bit. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $34,023 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $23,756.
The median monthly payment of a special ed graduate with a 10-year repayment plan is $347.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in special ed. About 90.2% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 873 |
| Women | 8,052 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of special ed bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 126 |
| Black or African American | 413 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 975 |
| White | 6,868 |
| International Students | 42 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 501 |
Most Popular Special Ed Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 553 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in special ed. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
Western Governors University tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree. Each year, around 147,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,710 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,302 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 836 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from WGU. Around 13% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 90% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at Western Governors University make a median salary of 44,139.
The 2nd most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Grand Canyon University. Each year, around 103,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,390 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,138 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 471 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Grand Canyon University. About 94% of this group were women, and 32% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Grand Canyon University graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Each year, around 18,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,010 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,418 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 214 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from BGSU. Of these students, 95% were women and 8% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that BGSU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
Towson University is the 4th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Each year, around 21,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,382 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,108 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 165 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Towson. Of these students, 91% were women and 28% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at Towson University make a median salary of 44,139.
Illinois State University is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Roughly 20,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,000 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,971 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 160 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Illinois State. Around 11% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 89% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at Illinois State University make a median salary of 44,139.
St. Joseph's College - New York comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 5,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $33,825 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $22,860 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 139 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from SJC. About 95% of this group were women, and 19% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. St. Joseph's College - New York special ed graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,139.
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is the 7th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Roughly 8,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,716 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,288 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 131 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from SRU. Around 4% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 92% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania make a median salary of 44,139.
Liberty University comes in at #8 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 93,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,740 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 113 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Liberty University. Around 18% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 95% were women. Liberty University special ed graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,139.
The 9th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Arizona State University - Tempe. Each year, around 74,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,376 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 111 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from ASU - Tempe. Of these students, 94% were women and 47% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at Arizona State University - Tempe make a median salary of 44,139.
The 10th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Each year, around 17,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,716 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,288 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 105 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from WCUPA. Of these students, 95% were women and 7% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. West Chester University of Pennsylvania special ed graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,139.
Northern Arizona University is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Roughly 29,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,674 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 98 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from NAU. Of these students, 94% were women and 41% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Northern Arizona University special ed graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,139.
Western Washington University comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 15,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,997 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,167 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 93 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from WWU. Of these students, 91% were women and 24% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that WWU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Roughly 11,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,645 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,630 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 85 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from UW - Eau Claire. About 94% of this group were women, and 2% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UW - Eau Claire graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
SUNY Cortland is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Each year, around 6,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,070 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,310 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 82 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from SUNY Cortland. Around 13% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 93% were women. Data shows that SUNY Cortland graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
The 15th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is SUNY Geneseo. Each year, around 4,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,070 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,310 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 78 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from SUNY Geneseo. Around 3% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 91% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at SUNY Geneseo make a median salary of 44,139.
The 16th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Youngstown State University. Each year, around 11,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,611 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,547 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 77 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Youngstown State University. Of these students, 9% were women and 9% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Youngstown State University graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
Auburn University is the 17th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,704 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,692 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 76 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Auburn. Around 4% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 100% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at Auburn University make a median salary of 44,139.
University of Akron Main Campus comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 16,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,399 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,325 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 75 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from University of Akron Main Campus. Around 12% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 86% were women. Data shows that University of Akron Main Campus graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,139.
Utah State University is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in special ed. Roughly 27,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,387 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,763 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 75 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from USU. Around 10% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 92% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in special ed at Utah State University make a median salary of 44,139.
The 20th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Roughly 7,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,716 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,288 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 74 people received their bachelor's degree in special ed from Kutztown University. Of these students, 92% were women and 17% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania special ed graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,139.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to special ed that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education Grade Specific | 51,587 |
| Teacher Education Subject Specific | 18,931 |
| General Education | 6,922 |
| Educational Assessment | 2,111 |
| Other Education | 1,660 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By woodleywonderworks under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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