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Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools

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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 analysis found Pasadena City College to be the most popular school for special education students who want to pursue a associate degree in the United States. 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.

Read More…

#2

Fullerton College

Fullerton, CA

The in-demand associate degree programs at Fullerton College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular special education schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

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

Read More…

#3

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

The in-demand associate degree programs at Riverside City College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular special education schools in the United States. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public school with a large student population.

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

Full Special Education at Riverside City College Report

#4

Mt. San Jacinto College

San Jacinto, CA

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Mt. San Jacinto College is a great place for special education students working on their associate degree. MSJC is a 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.

Full Special Education at Mt. San Jacinto College Report

#5

Moorpark College

Moorpark, CA

The in-demand associate degree programs at Moorpark College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular special education schools in the United States. Moorpark College is a large public school located in the midsize 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

#6

San Bernardino Valley College

San Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino Valley College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools list. San Bernardino Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the medium-sized city of San Bernardino.

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

Read More…

#7

Evergreen Valley College

San Jose, CA

Evergreen Valley College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of San Jose, Evergreen Valley College is a public school 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

#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 midsize 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

#9

Southwestern College

Chula Vista, CA

With a ranking of #9, Southwestern College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for special education students working on their associate degree. 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

#10

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West 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 #10 on the list. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public school with a large student population.

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

Read full report on Special Education at Golden West College

Chemeketa Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree special education programs. 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.

Full Special Education at Chemeketa Community College Report

#12

Palomar College

San Marcos, CA

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

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

Read More…

#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 More…

#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 suburb of Norco.

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

Full Special Education at Norco College Report

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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