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Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools

2023 Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools

89 Colleges
$15,697 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Special Education Associate Degree School for You

In 2020-2021, 36,792 people earned a degree or certificate in special education, making the major the #29 most popular in the United States.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 89 schools in the United States to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Special Education program at each school on the list.

Check out the special ed associate degree programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.

#1

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA

Our 2023 rankings named Pasadena City College the most popular school in the United States for special education students working on their associate degree. Pasadena City College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Pasadena.

About 91% of the students majoring in special ed at the school are women while 9% are male.

Full Special Education at Pasadena City College Report

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#2

Fullerton College

Fullerton, CA

Out of the 89 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Fullerton College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a public college with a large student population.

About 92% of the students majoring in special ed at the school are women while 8% are male.

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#3

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

Out of the 89 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Riverside City College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public college with a large student population.

Of the 96 students majoring in special ed at Riverside City College, 10% are male and 90% are female.

Read full report on Special Education at Riverside City College

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#4

Mt. San Jacinto College

San Jacinto, CA

The in-demand associate degree programs at Mt. San Jacinto College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular special education schools in the United States. MSJC is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized suburb of San Jacinto.

Of the 79 students majoring in special ed at MSJC, 1% are male and 99% are female.

Read full report on Special Education at Mt. San Jacinto College

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#5

Moorpark College

Moorpark, CA

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Moorpark College is a great place for special education students working on their associate degree. Moorpark College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark.

Of the 75 students majoring in special ed at Moorpark College, 7% are male and 93% are female.

Full Special Education at Moorpark College Report

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#6

San Bernardino Valley College

San Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for special education students to get a associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. San Bernardino Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the midsize city of San Bernardino.

About 98% of the students majoring in special ed at the school are women while 2% are male.

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#7

Evergreen Valley College

San Jose, CA

With a ranking of #7, Evergreen Valley College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for special education students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of San Jose, Evergreen Valley College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 92% of the special ed majors at the school.

Full Special Education at Evergreen Valley College Report

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#8

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, CA

With a ranking of #8, College of the Sequoias did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for special education students working on their associate degree. College of the Sequoias is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Visalia.

Women make up 96% of the special ed majors at the school.

Read full report on Special Education at College of the Sequoias

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#9

Southwestern College

Chula Vista, CA

Southwestern College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools ranking. SWC Chula Vista is a large public school located in the large city of Chula Vista.

About 94% of the students majoring in special ed at the school are women while 6% are male.

Full Special Education at Southwestern College Report

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#10

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 83% of the students majoring in special ed at the school are women while 17% are male.

Full Special Education at Golden West College Report

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Chemeketa Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for special education students to get a associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 93% of the special ed majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that special ed majors at Chemeketa Community College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $19,728.

Read full report on Special Education at Chemeketa Community College

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#12

Palomar College

San Marcos, CA

Palomar College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 98% of the students majoring in special ed at the school are women while 2% are male.

Read full report on Special Education at Palomar College

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#12

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, CA

With a ranking of #12, Saddleback College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for special education students working on their associate degree. Saddleback College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo.

About 88% of the students majoring in special ed at the school are women while 12% are male.

Read full report on Special Education at Saddleback College

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#12

Norco College

Norco, CA

Norco College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools ranking. Norco College is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of Norco.

Women make up 93% of the special ed majors at the school.

Read full report on Special Education at Norco College

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Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
15 Los Angeles Trade Technical College Los Angeles, CA
16 Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA
17 Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CA

Special Education by Region

View the Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

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

Special Education is one of 14 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 110,226
Educational Administration 46,469
Teacher Education Subject Specific 43,297
General Education 29,810
Curriculum & Instruction 19,832

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 26 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to woodleywonderworks.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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