2026 Best Special Education Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Special Education certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1022 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Special Education Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 Special Education school in the United States. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical Special Education student debt is $18,387. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
The strong Special Education programs at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical Special Education student debt is $27,000. See the full University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire profile
Out of the 1022 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Santa Fe Community College landed the #3 spot. Based in Santa Fe, NM, Santa Fe Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,851, while out-of-state students pay about $4,131. Graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. See the full Santa Fe Community College profile
The strong Special Education programs at Nhti Concords Community College earned it the #4 place in the United States. Nhti Concords Community College is a public school based in Concord, NH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. The median Special Education program debt is $18,046. See the full Nhti Concords Community College profile
Out of the 1022 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Ball State University landed the #5 spot. Based in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Ball State University Special Education students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. More on Ball State University
Miami Dade College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. This public school is set in Miami, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $9,671 to complete their Special Education program here. Get the full Miami Dade College report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Special Education students take on a median of $26,188 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Viterbo University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Set in La Crosse, WI, Viterbo University is a private not-for-profit institution. Viterbo University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $34,250. Graduates carry a median of $29,107 in student loans. Get the full Viterbo University report
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Based in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. The median Special Education program debt is $26,313. More on Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Minot State University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Minot, ND. Minot State University graduates 45% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. The median Special Education program debt is $25,788. See the full Minot State University profile
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Based in Menomonie, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Stout posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. The median Special Education program debt is $30,000. See the full University Of Wisconsin Stout profile
Central Michigan University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Mount Pleasant, MI. Central Michigan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Central Michigan University Special Education students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. Read the full report on Central Michigan University
Saint Mary Of The Woods College landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Set in Saint Mary of the Woods, IN, Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,240. Typical Special Education student debt is $27,773. Read more about Saint Mary Of The Woods College
University Of North Dakota landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Set in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical Special Education student debt is $25,110. Read more about University Of North Dakota
Alliant International University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in San Diego, CA, Alliant International University is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,254. The median Special Education program debt is $21,234. More on Alliant International University
La Roche College landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, La Roche College is a private not-for-profit institution. La Roche College graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $34,052. The median Special Education program debt is $27,078. Get the full La Roche College report
Pima Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Pima Community College is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Pima Community College Special Education students take on a median of $15,200 in debt. More on Pima Community College
Quinsigamond Community College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Worcester, MA, Quinsigamond Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Quinsigamond Community College Special Education students take on a median of $18,456 in debt. See the full Quinsigamond Community College profile
Louisiana State University Alexandria landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Set in Alexandria, LA, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public institution. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,725. The median Special Education program debt is $24,656. Get the full Louisiana State University Alexandria report
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Albuquerque, NM. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical Special Education student debt is $10,112. More on Central New Mexico Community College
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete their Special Education program here. Get the full Missouri State University Springfield report
Boise State University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Boise, ID. About 59% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical Special Education student debt is $26,675. Read the full report on Boise State University
Southeastern University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Lakeland, FL, Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. Typical Special Education student debt is $23,460. See the full Southeastern University profile
Campbellsville University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Campbellsville, KY. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Typical Special Education student debt is $24,148. See the full Campbellsville University profile
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a public school based in Cape Girardeau, MO. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,903. Typical Special Education student debt is $25,000. Get the full Southeast Missouri State University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Special Education Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Bridgewater State University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Based in Bridgewater, MA, Bridgewater State University is a public institution. Bridgewater State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Bridgewater State University Special Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Bridgewater State University
Saint Ambrose University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. More on Saint Ambrose University
Universidad Del Este did well this year, earning the #28 position. Get the full Universidad Del Este report
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh did well this year, earning the #29 position. See the full University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh profile
Wisconsin Lutheran College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. More on Wisconsin Lutheran College
Seattle University placed #31 among Special Education schools in the United States. See the full Seattle University profile
University Of South Carolina Upstate came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Read more about University Of South Carolina Upstate
Dine College
Dine College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Dine College
Hope College
Hope College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Hope College
Los Angeles Valley College placed #35 among Special Education schools in the United States. See the full Los Angeles Valley College profile
Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #37 among Special Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Phoenix Arizona
University Of Wyoming came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of Wyoming report
Eastern University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Read the full report on Eastern University
Lindenwood University did well this year, earning the #40 position. Read more about Lindenwood University
Saint Peters College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Saint Peters College
Buena Vista University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. More on Buena Vista University
Lake Erie College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Lake Erie College
Orange Coast College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Get the full Orange Coast College report
Spring Arbor University did well this year, earning the #45 position. Read the full report on Spring Arbor University
The Sage Colleges did well this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full The Sage Colleges report
The University Of Texas At El Paso did well this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full The University Of Texas At El Paso report
University Of Pennsylvania placed #48 among Special Education schools in the United States. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Bryn Athyn College Of The New Church ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Get the full Bryn Athyn College Of The New Church report
Centenary College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Read more about Centenary College
Related Special Education Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Special Education Schools (All Levels)
- Best Special Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Special Education Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Special Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Special Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1022 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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