2026 Best Special Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Special Education doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1022 colleges 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 reviewed schools to build 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found University Of Washington Seattle Campus to be the best Special Education school in the United States. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. The median Special Education program debt is $16,481. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Teachers College At Columbia University came in at #2 on this year's Special Education ranking in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Teachers College At Columbia University
A rank of #3 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
The strong Special Education programs at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. More on University Of California Berkeley
Illinois State University came in at #5 on this year's Special Education ranking in the United States. Illinois State University is a public school based in Normal, IL. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. The median Special Education program debt is $20,436. More on Illinois State University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $18,925 to complete their Special Education program here. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Georgia ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical Special Education student debt is $22,250. Get the full University Of Georgia report
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Special Education students take on a median of $20,836 in debt. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
Syracuse University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Syracuse University
Washington State University placed #10 among Special Education schools in the United States. Set in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. The median Special Education program debt is $21,903. More on Washington State University
University Of San Francisco placed #11 among Special Education schools in the United States. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete their Special Education program here. Read more about University Of San Francisco
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #12 among Special Education schools in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin Special Education students take on a median of $21,275 in debt. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
George Washington University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. George Washington University Special Education students take on a median of $22,910 in debt. More on George Washington University
Duquesne University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete their Special Education program here. Read more about Duquesne University
University Of Iowa placed #15 among Special Education schools in the United States. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete their Special Education program here. Get the full University Of Iowa report
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Special Education students take on a median of $22,863 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in Slippery Rock, PA, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical Special Education student debt is $27,000. Read more about Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. More on University Of Illinois At Chicago
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete their Special Education program here. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
Kennesaw State University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Kennesaw State University is a public school based in Kennesaw, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete their Special Education program here. Read more about Kennesaw State University
University Of Utah came in at #21 in this year's ranking. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. About 65% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their Special Education program here. See the full University Of Utah profile
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Typical Special Education student debt is $26,586. See the full Saint Louis University Main Campus profile
Utah State University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. The median Special Education program debt is $18,125. Get the full Utah State University report
University Of Florida landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. The median Special Education program debt is $17,669. See the full University Of Florida profile
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Greeley, CO, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Students borrow a median of $26,564 to complete their Special Education program here. See the full University Of Northern Colorado profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Special Education Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #26 among Special Education schools in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public school based in Greensboro, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Clemson University placed #27 among Special Education schools in the United States. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Read more about Clemson University
Auburn University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Auburn University is a public school based in Auburn, AL. About 82% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Auburn University Special Education students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. More on Auburn University
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Located in Las Vegas, NV, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete their Special Education program here. Read the full report on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Chapman University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Chapman University is a private not-for-profit school based in Orange, CA. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,984. The median Special Education program debt is $21,657. See the full Chapman University profile
Ball State University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Muncie, IN. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical Special Education student debt is $23,250. Read more about Ball State University
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #32 among Special Education schools in the United States. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical Special Education student debt is $20,357. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Kentucky came in at #33 in this year's ranking. University Of Kentucky is a public school based in Lexington, KY. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. The median Special Education program debt is $26,500. Read more about University Of Kentucky
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #34 position. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete their Special Education program here. More on Texas Tech University
Western Michigan University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Kalamazoo, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Western Michigan University Special Education students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. Read more about Western Michigan University
The University Of Alabama did well this year, earning the #36 position. This public school is set in Tuscaloosa, AL. About 73% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. The median Special Education program debt is $26,000. See the full The University Of Alabama profile
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school based in Charlotte, NC. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte Special Education students take on a median of $26,602 in debt. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte report
Texas Womans University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Based in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. Texas Womans University graduates 49% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. More on Texas Womans University
Florida International University did well this year, earning the #39 position. Located in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical Special Education student debt is $20,031. See the full Florida International University profile
University Of Kansas landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. About 69% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. The median Special Education program debt is $23,608. More on University Of Kansas
University Of North Texas ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Set in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. The median Special Education program debt is $21,817. More on University Of North Texas
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #42 among Special Education schools in the United States. Located in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete their Special Education program here. Get the full Virginia Commonwealth University report
University Of Oregon ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Based in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. The median Special Education program debt is $22,034. Read more about University Of Oregon
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Columbia, SC, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. University Of South Carolina Columbia posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. University Of South Carolina Columbia Special Education students take on a median of $24,472 in debt. See the full University Of South Carolina Columbia profile
University Of Toledo did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in Toledo, OH, University Of Toledo is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Graduates carry a median of $22,073 in student loans. See the full University Of Toledo profile
University Of Arizona placed #46 among Special Education schools in the United States. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. The median Special Education program debt is $19,500. Get the full University Of Arizona report
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Portland State University landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Portland State University is a public school based in Portland, OR. Portland State University graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete their Special Education program here. See the full Portland State University profile
Kent State University At Kent came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Located in Kent, OH, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Kent State University At Kent posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Special Education program here. More on Kent State University At Kent
Lamar University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Special Education schools. Located in Beaumont, TX, Lamar University is a public institution. Lamar University graduates 37% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical Special Education student debt is $26,988. Read more about Lamar University
Related Special Education Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Special Education Schools (All Levels)
- Best Special Education Certificate Degree Schools
- 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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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