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Master's Degree in Special Education

Master’s Degrees in Special Education

19,631 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Median Salary
86% Women
There are 631 schools in the United States where you can get your master's degree in special ed. In recent years, the majority of the students getting degrees in this area were female, and 30% were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 1.1% of special ed graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Special Ed Majors

During the most recent year for which data is available, 19,631 people earned their master's degree in special ed. This earns it the #8 spot on the list of the most popular master'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 Master’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in special ed is $56,864. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $53,038 to a high of $62,099.

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Student Debt

We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for special ed students who are master's degree holders.

Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their master's degree in special ed. About 85.7% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 2,810
Women 16,821
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The racial-ethnic distribution of special ed master’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 584
Black or African American 1,918
Hispanic or Latino 2,895
White 12,460
International Students 211
Other Races/Ethnicities 1,563
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There are 631 colleges that offer a master’s degree in special ed. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
1,624 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
84% Women

Grand Canyon University tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree. 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, 1,624 people received their master's degree in special ed from Grand Canyon University. Around 40% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 84% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in special ed at Grand Canyon University make a median salary of 56,864.

#2

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
1,369 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
91% Women

Ball State University comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in special ed. Roughly 21,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,688 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,922 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,369 people received their master's degree in special ed from Ball State. Around 29% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 91% were women. Ball State University special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

#3

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
1,272 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
87% Women

Arizona State University - Skysong is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Each year, around 53,900 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 $10,170 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,272 people received their master's degree in special ed from ASU - Skysong. Around 44% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 87% were women. Arizona State University - Skysong special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

#4

Touro College

New York, New York
635 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
88% Women

Touro College comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in special ed. Roughly 11,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $18,950 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,545 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 635 people received their master's degree in special ed from Touro. Of these students, 88% were women and 36% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in special ed at Touro College make a median salary of 56,864.

#5

National University

San Diego, California
431 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
77% Women

The 5th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree is National University. Roughly 18,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,320 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,912 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 431 people received their master's degree in special ed from National University. Of these students, 77% were women and 49% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. National University special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

#6

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah
420 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
82% Women

The 6th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree is Western Governors University. 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, 420 people received their master's degree in special ed from WGU. About 82% of this group were women, and 19% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that WGU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $56,864.

#7

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas
330 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
93% Women

The 7th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree is Lamar University. Roughly 16,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,228 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,471 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 330 people received their master's degree in special ed from Lamar University. Of these students, 93% were women and 42% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Lamar University special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

#8

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
326 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
86% Women

George Mason University is the 8th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Each year, around 38,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,095 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,726 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 326 people received their master's degree in special ed from GMU. About 86% of this group were women, and 36% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. George Mason University special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

#9

Hunter College

New York, New York
320 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
84% Women

Hunter College comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 24,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,090 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 320 people received their master's degree in special ed from Hunter. Of these students, 84% were women and 53% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in special ed at Hunter College make a median salary of 56,864.

#10

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
306 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
89% Women

Liberty University comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master'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, 306 people received their master's degree in special ed from Liberty University. About 89% of this group were women, and 22% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Liberty University special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

#11

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida
243 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
90% Women

The 11th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree is The University of West Florida. Each year, around 13,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $3,735 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,088 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 243 people received their master's degree in special ed from UWF. Of these students, 90% were women and 33% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. The University of West Florida special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

#12

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York
236 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
69% Women

The 12th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree is Brooklyn College. Each year, around 17,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,090 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 236 people received their master's degree in special ed from Brooklyn College. About 69% of this group were women, and 62% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Brooklyn College special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

#13

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts
208 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
97% Women

Endicott College is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Each year, around 4,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $38,312 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,370 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 208 people received their master's degree in special ed from Endicott. Around 13% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 97% were women. Endicott College special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

#14

Pace University - New York

New York, New York
196 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
70% Women

Pace University - New York comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 12,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $49,550 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $28,091 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 196 people received their master's degree in special ed from Pace University. Around 53% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 70% were women. Pace University - New York special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

#15

Daemen College

Amherst, New York
187 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
83% Women

Daemen College is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Each year, around 2,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $33,054 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $25,728 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 187 people received their master's degree in special ed from Daemen College. Data shows that Daemen College graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $56,864.

#16

LIU Post

Brookville, New York
173 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
72% Women

LIU Post is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Each year, around 15,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $39,458 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $24,336 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 173 people received their master's degree in special ed from LIU Post. Around 42% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 72% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in special ed at LIU Post make a median salary of 56,864.

156 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
91% Women

Arkansas State University - Main Campus comes in at #17 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in special ed. Roughly 13,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,176 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,534 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 156 people received their master's degree in special ed from A-State. Of these students, 91% were women and 11% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Arkansas State University - Main Campus special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

#18

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, Colorado
152 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
94% Women

The 18th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Northern Colorado. Roughly 11,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,784 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,204 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 152 people received their master's degree in special ed from University of Northern Colorado. About 94% of this group were women, and 18% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Northern Colorado special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

#19

American International College

Springfield, Massachusetts
148 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
80% Women

American International College is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Each year, around 2,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $41,970 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,595 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 148 people received their master's degree in special ed from AIC. Of these students, 80% were women and 27% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. American International College special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,864.

142 Yearly Graduations
$56,864 Average Salary
91% Women

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Each year, around 32,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,637 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,948 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 142 people received their master's degree in special ed from UT Rio Grande Valley. About 91% of this group were women, and 87% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UT Rio Grande Valley graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $56,864.

Below are some popular majors that are similar to special ed that offer master’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Teacher Education Grade Specific 28,813
Educational Administration 25,551
Curriculum & Instruction 17,349
Teacher Education Subject Specific 16,456
Education Philosophy 14,076

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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