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Most Popular Online Schools for Special Education

2026 Most Popular Online Special Education Schools

There are 45 schools that offer a degree in Special Education mostly online. Learn more about the most popular online schools below:

With all the Special Education programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick-and-mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school halfway across the country without even leaving your house.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking. This report analyzed 45 schools in the United States to see which mostly-online Special Education programs were the most popular. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with mostly-online programs.

Check out the online Special Education programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.

#1

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

Our 2026 rankings named Ball State University the most popular online school in the U.S. for Special Education majors. Ball State University is a public school located in Muncie, IN. Roughly 57% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,723 people earned their degree in Special Education from this school. About 92% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $42,646. Read full report on Special Education at Ball State University

#2

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University comes in at #2 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit school located in Phoenix, AZ. About 86% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. This school awarded 1,564 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 87% of the Special Education students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $62,543. Full Special Education at Grand Canyon University Report

Arizona State University Digital Immersion comes in at #3 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. Arizona State University Digital Immersion is a public school located in Scottsdale, AZ. About 100% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. This school awarded 1,555 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 88% of the Special Education students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $48,210. Full Special Education at Arizona State University Digital Immersion Report

#4

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT

Western Governors University landed the #4 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, this is a private nonprofit institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 898 people earned their degree in Special Education from this school. About 87% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $74,978. Full Special Education at Western Governors University Report

#5

Lamar University

Beaumont, TX

Lamar University comes in at #5 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. Located in Beaumont, TX, this is a public institution. About 100% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 492 people earned their degree in Special Education from this school. About 95% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $56,267. Read More…

#6

American College of Education

Indianapolis, IN

American College of Education comes in at #6 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. American College of Education is a private for-profit school located in Indianapolis, IN. About 100% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. This school awarded 397 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. About 87% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $40,669. Read full report on Special Education at American College of Education

#7

National University

San Diego, CA

National University landed the #7 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking. National University is a private nonprofit school located in San Diego, CA. About 100% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 352 people earned their degree in Special Education from this school. About 73% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $66,420. Full Special Education at National University Report

#8

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #8 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking. Located in Lynchburg, VA, this is a private nonprofit institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 351 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 87% of the Special Education students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $44,414. Full Special Education at Liberty University Report

#9

University of West Florida

Pensacola, FL

University of West Florida comes in at #9 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. University of West Florida is a public school located in Pensacola, FL. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 322 people earned their degree in Special Education from this school. Women make up 90% of the Special Education students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $53,046. Read full report on Special Education at University of West Florida

Illinois State University landed the #10 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking. Illinois State University is a public school located in Normal, IL. About 70% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 263 people earned their degree in Special Education from this school. Women make up 87% of the Special Education students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $46,159. Read full report on Special Education at Illinois State University

#11

Niagara University

Niagara University, NY

Niagara University comes in at #11 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. Located in Niagara University, NY, this is a private nonprofit institution. About 71% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. This school awarded 209 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 65% of the Special Education students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $45,413. Read full report on Special Education at Niagara University

#12

Towson University

Towson, MD

Towson University comes in at #12 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. Located in Towson, MD, this is a public institution. About 57% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 207 people earned their degree in Special Education from this school. About 92% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $48,563. Read full report on Special Education at Towson University

University of Mount Saint Vincent comes in at #13 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. Located in Bronx, NY, this is a private nonprofit institution. About 100% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. This school awarded 166 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. About 78% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $62,536. Full Special Education at University of Mount Saint Vincent Report

#14

Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University landed the #14 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking. Located in Jonesboro, AR, this is a public institution. About 100% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. This school awarded 165 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. About 93% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $45,510. Read More…

#15

University of West Georgia

Carrollton, GA

University of West Georgia comes in at #15 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. University of West Georgia is a public school located in Carrollton, GA. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 159 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 87% of the Special Education students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $39,461. Full Special Education at University of West Georgia Report

Pennsylvania Western University landed the #16 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking. Located in California, PA, this is a public institution. Roughly 75% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 114 people earned their degree in Special Education from this school. Women make up 91% of the Special Education students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $45,005. Read full report on Special Education at Pennsylvania Western University

#17

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University comes in at #17 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. Located in Lubbock, TX, this is a public institution. About 100% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. This school awarded 111 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 92% of the Special Education students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $46,893. Full Special Education at Texas Tech University Report

Alliant International University-San Diego landed the #18 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking. Alliant International University-San Diego is a private for-profit school located in San Diego, CA. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 108 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. About 80% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $63,266. Full Special Education at Alliant International University-San Diego Report

#19

Morningside University

Sioux City, IA

Morningside University comes in at #19 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. Morningside University is a private nonprofit school located in Sioux City, IA. About 83% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. This school awarded 107 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 81% of the Special Education students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $53,956. Full Special Education at Morningside University Report

#20

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

University of North Dakota landed the #20 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking. University of North Dakota is a public school located in Grand Forks, ND. About 60% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. This school awarded 102 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 92% of the Special Education students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $53,393. Read More…

Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global comes in at #21 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. Located in Marion, IN, this is a private nonprofit institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 97 people earned their degree in Special Education from this school. About 86% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $55,743. Read full report on Special Education at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global

#22

Northwestern College

Orange City, IA

Northwestern College landed the #22 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking. Northwestern College is a private nonprofit school located in Orange City, IA. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 95 people earned their degree in Special Education from this school. About 96% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $46,403. Read full report on Special Education at Northwestern College

#23

William Carey University

Hattiesburg, MS

William Carey University landed the #23 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking. Located in Hattiesburg, MS, this is a private nonprofit institution. About 100% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 95 people earned their degree in Special Education from this school. About 96% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $41,135. Read full report on Special Education at William Carey University

#24

Ashford University

San Diego, CA

Ashford University landed the #24 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking. Ashford University is a private for-profit school located in San Diego, CA. About 100% of degrees in Special Education here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 92 people earned their degree in Special Education from this school. Women make up 96% of the Special Education students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $47,447. Read More…

University of Phoenix-Arizona comes in at #25 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Special Education majors. University of Phoenix-Arizona is a private for-profit school located in Phoenix, AZ. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 92 degrees in Special Education in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 84% of the Special Education students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $52,226. Full Special Education at University of Phoenix-Arizona Report

#29

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, MA
#32

Wilmington University

New Castle, DE
#34

Radford University

Radford, VA
#35

New Jersey City University

Jersey City, NJ
#36

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, IA
#37

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA
#40

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, IA
#41

Georgetown College

Georgetown, KY
#43

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR
#44

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC
#45

University of Maine

Orono, ME

See the most popular online Special Education schools in a specific region of the United States.

Region
New England
Middle Atlantic
Great Lakes
Plains States
Southeast
Southwest
Rocky Mountains
Far Western US

More Special Education Rankings

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the Most Popular Online Special Education Schools ranking, along with other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

Special Education Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Special Education 22,116
Early Childhood Special Education 3,548
Elementary Special Education 2,055
Teaching for Multiple Disabilities 1,213
Other Special Education & Teaching 1,070
Teaching for Autism 1,002
Secondary Special Education 833
Teaching for Gifted & Talented 483
Teaching for Learning Disabilities 398
Teaching for the Deaf 304
Teaching for Speech Impaired 273
Teaching for Visually Impaired 161
Teaching for Emotional Disturbances 134
Teaching for Developmental Delay 125
Middle School Special Education 101
Teaching for Mental Retardation 81
Teaching for Brain Injuries 57
Teaching for Physical Impaired 34
Related Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 108,054
Educational Administration 42,255
Teacher Education Subject Specific 39,881
General Education 27,481
Curriculum & Instruction 21,331

References

*The average salary above is for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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