Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Most Popular Special Education Schools in Tennessee

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Special Education Schools in Tennessee

26 Colleges
$39,838 Avg Salary
$21,956 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Special Education School for You

In 2020-2021, 354 degrees and certificates were awarded to special education students who went to a Tennessee college or university. This makes it the #46 most popular major in the state.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Special Education Schools in Tennessee ranking. This report analyzed 26 schools in Tennessee to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Special Education program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for special ed majors pursuing a .

#1

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN

Our 2023 rankings named University of Memphis the most popular school in Tennessee for special education students. Located in the city of Memphis, UofM is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, special ed graduates from UofM carry an average student debt load of $21,125.

Read More…

#2

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

The excellent programs at Vanderbilt University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best special education schools in Tennessee. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville.

Read More…

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a great place for special education students. UT Knoxville is a fairly large public school located in the city of Knoxville.

After completing their degree, special ed graduates from UT Knoxville carry an average student debt load of $20,500.

Read More…

#4

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lipscomb University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Special Education Schools in Tennessee list. Lipscomb is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville.

Read More…

The excellent programs at East Tennessee State University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best special education schools in Tennessee. Located in the small city of Johnson City, ETSU is a public college with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that special ed majors at ETSU take out is $18,203.

Read More…

#6

Carson - Newman University

Jefferson City, TN

Carson - Newman University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Special Education Schools in Tennessee ranking. Carson - Newman is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small suburb of Jefferson City.

Full Special Education at Carson - Newman University Report

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Special Education Schools in Tennessee ranking. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro.

On average, special ed graduates from Middle Tennessee State University take out $21,200 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Special Education at Middle Tennessee State University

Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Special Education Schools in Tennessee list. Located in the large city of Nashville, TNU is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Special Education at Trevecca Nazarene University Report

With a ranking of #8, Tennessee Technological University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for special education students. Tennessee Tech University is a medium-sized public school located in the remote town of Cookeville.

Read full report on Special Education at Tennessee Technological University

#8

Lee University

Cleveland, TN

Lee University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular special education programs. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, special ed majors at Lee University accumulate an average of around $28,750 in student debt.

Read full report on Special Education at Lee University

Best Special Education Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Most Popular Special Education Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Georgia 550
Virginia 1,238
North Carolina 477
Florida 1,103
Kentucky 608
South Carolina 266
Louisiana 103
Arkansas 351
Alabama 437
Mississippi 269
West Virginia 46

One of 14 majors within the area of study, special education has other similar majors worth exploring.

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.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.