Master’s Degrees in Special Education
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.
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 |
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 |
Most Popular Special Ed Programs for Master’s Degrees
There are 631 colleges that offer a master’s degree in special ed. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Related Majors
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.
- 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.