### SUMMARY

 Choosing to study Special Education and Teaching is not only a valuable choice, but ordinarily a mandatory first step for students planning to pursue a career as a special education teacher, a speech language pathologist, or a learning development specialist. In fact, special education and teaching is fairly popular ranking as the 57th most popular degree. Last academic year alone, there were 8,866 special education and teaching degrees conferred. In-state tuition for special education and teaching at private colleges is, on average, 3.3 times more costly than their public fellows.

 There are 541 colleges which offer special education and teaching. 541 universities is on par with other programs offered in the United States. If you are looking to surround yourself with other special education and teaching students, consider institutions in Utah which have more students admitted to special education and teaching than any other state. More generally, the best region to get a degree in special education and teaching is in the Great Lakes region with [Illinois State University](/colleges/illinois-state-university), [Bowling Green State University-Main Campus](/colleges/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus), and [University of Akron Main Campus](/colleges/university-of-akron-main-campus) best representing the region. Interestingly, our selection for the top conference to study special education and teaching is the Mid-American Conference with [Ball State University](/colleges/ball-state-university), [Bowling Green State University-Main Campus](/colleges/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus), and [University of Akron Main Campus](/colleges/university-of-akron-main-campus) representing the conference. On that topic, our belief is that the best university for special education and teaching is [Vanderbilt University](/colleges/vanderbilt-university). You might also want to check out our list of the [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges).

 The objectively 'best' school is not necessarily the 'best' school for every student. There might be lots more angels to weigh when choosing ​university. Stuff like campus amenities, transportation services, and food might definitely impact your decision on where to go to university. At Authority, we have weighed the pros and cons for you. If, for example, you are interested in which special education and teaching university boasts the top campus, the answer is [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university). If you are very interested in which college boasts the top campus, we have a whole page [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through professor reviews, student reviews, government databases, and more so we can evaluate every major in the United States in an unbiased and informative way. You can explore our comprehensive list for the schools with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbsphere and our selection of the college with the best student life for special education and teaching is [University of Florida](/colleges/university-of-florida). Curious why? Keep scrolling to learn more about our top choices. Many of our picks might surprise you.

 If expense is a primary factor in your decisions, you might consider avoiding [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university). [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university)&nbspappears to be our most expensive school for special education and teaching, at least regarding out of state enrollment. We do have a page for the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspschools that could put the price tag at [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university)&nbspinto perspective. Additionally, you may be interested to know that special education and teaching is the 183rd most expensive program in the United States, with an average expense of $31,300. To zoom out a little, the most costly state for special education and teaching on our list is Rhode Island with costs at the primary three colleges Providence College of $51,490, Rhode Island College at $21,683, and at Salve Regina University of $21,683. Even more broadly, the most costly region of the U.S. for special education and teaching is the Far West region which is best demonstrated with [University of Hawaii at Manoa](/colleges/university-of-hawaii-at-manoa) with a cost of $33,336, [Gonzaga University](/colleges/gonzaga-university) with a cost of $44,280, and [Seattle Pacific University](/colleges/seattle-pacific-university) with a cost of $44,604.

 Our cheapest region for special education and teaching is the Rocky Mountains region which is represented by [Brigham Young University-Idaho](/colleges/brigham-young-university-idaho) with a cost of $4,208, [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo) with a cost of $5,790, and [Western Governors University](/colleges/western-governors-university) with a cost of $6,380. More optimistically, the most affordable university for special education and teaching is [Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania](/colleges/slippery-rock-university-of-pennsylvania). Authority.org's entire list of the most affordable schools can be explored [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state attendees can anticipate paying in the neighborhood of $9,500 for a degree in special education and teaching. That cost inflates significantly to an average of $20,700 for an out-of-state public-school student. Our pick for the school representing the best value for special education and teaching: [Vanderbilt University](/colleges/vanderbilt-university). On this page you will see our comprehensive list about the schools we see as being the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspoverall. That being said, this discussion is predicated on the assumption that you are an out-of-state student. A discussion of value changes when in-state tuition is considered, as such, we are using out-of-state tuition as the baseline.

 Earnings for special education and teaching majors differ widely, but two years after finishing the degree students will regularly make around $42,900. While there is a lot of variation in pay; top positions can experience pay up to $65,100. Straight out of school, the minimum earning positions within the special education and teaching space earn $28,000, which is an alright wage. The highest earning graduates for special education and teaching graduated from [Vanderbilt University](/colleges/vanderbilt-university)&nbspand if you are looking for colleges with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), we have that too.

 The all-around diversity of special education and teaching is in the bottom, ranking in only the 3rd percentile of all majors. The school with the highest composite diversity for special education and teaching is [Vanderbilt University](/colleges/vanderbilt-university)&nbspand here you can find our general list of the colleges which have the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The financial diversity of Special Education and Teaching only ranks in the 39th percentile of all majors. Racial diversity is even less in the 6th percentile. White students compose the largest proportion at 82% of students majoring in special education and teaching. Additionally, 90% of undergraduates pursuing a special education and teaching degree are women.

 The median rating of special education and teaching professors is 4.3 stars, a score which is 8% higher than the median score for every major; which is a pretty good score. If you are looking for the most popular special education and teaching professor in the country, take a look at John Lynch from [Arizona State University-Tempe](/colleges/arizona-state-university-tempe). This may be shocking, but the top rated instructors for special education and teaching by student are found at [Arizona State University-Tempe](/colleges/arizona-state-university-tempe). As we incorporate data beyond basic rankings it becomes clear that the school possessing the best instructors for special education and teaching is [Vanderbilt University](/colleges/vanderbilt-university). One can find more detail on our evolving ranking methodology for the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), as well as many of the finest professors in the country.

 Finally, the hardest school to get into for special education and teaching is [Vanderbilt University](/colleges/vanderbilt-university). While we are unsure why you would be interested, we do have an extensive list for the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). That being said, we hope you understand that approaching university from context only derived from superlatives might cause issues. We encourage you to look at some of our other pages on individual colleges and explore a couple of our insightful background articles on useful details to think about as your school search continues.



 ### POPULARITY

 Special education and teaching is the 57th most popular degree in America, with 8,866 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It narrowly lost to #56 [Anthropology](/rankings/best-colleges-for-anthropology).

 The degree is offered at a total of 541 colleges across the nation, and is the 38th most widely offered degree. It is only offered at 5% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America.

 It is also worth noting that 1/2 of colleges offering special education and teaching are public making it a pretty accessible field.

 The great lakes produces the most special education and teaching graduates, largely led by [Illinois State University](/colleges/illinois-state-university), while it’s the Mid-American Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, Utah ranks highest, with particular help from [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo) and [Utah State University](/colleges/utah-state-university).

 All that being said, no individual school produces more special education and teaching graduates than [University of Alabama at Birmingham](/colleges/university-of-alabama-at-birmingham), which graduated 645 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study special education and teaching). More students studied special education and teaching as a percentage of total students at [St. Joseph's College-Long Island](/colleges/st-joseph-s-college-long-island) than any other college.



 ### COST

 Special education and teaching is the 183rd most expensive major in the nation, with a median cost of $31,252 for the top 50 programs (just ahead of #184, [Musical Theatre](rankings/best-colleges-for-musical-theatre), with a median cost of $31,200).

 The Far West has the most expensive schools with top 50 special education and teaching programs predominantly led by [University of Hawaii at Manoa](/colleges/university-of-hawaii-at-manoa) with an annual cost of $33,336. The most expensive state for special education and teaching is Rhode Island led by [Providence College](/colleges/providence-college) and [Rhode Island College](/colleges/rhode-island-college).

 Public schools with solid programs typically charge 69.6% less than private schools for in-state students. However, when looking at out-of-state tuition, the median top 50 Public school charges 33.88% less than your average private school. So be sure to take a look at public shools in your state sooner rather than later.

 The most expensive top 25 college for special education and teaching is [Boston University](/colleges/boston-university), which is the 62nd most expensive college in the United States. The most affordable option in the top 100 is [College of Charleston](/colleges/college-of-charleston). It costs just $70 per year, but it is its special education and teaching program is ranked #98. If you’re looking for the least expensive option in the top 25, [Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania](/colleges/slippery-rock-university-of-pennsylvania)  might be for you, ranked #3 with an in-state cost of just $7,716. Another more affordable pick would be #24, [West Chester University of Pennsylvania](/colleges/west-chester-university-of-pennsylvania) in Chester County, PA with a cost of $7,716 for in-state students and $19,290 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 Begining college is a huge investment for most students. It is critical to be sure you are able to payback your investment. We aim for the following career and income information to assist you in deciding your major at college.

 In year one out of college, Special Education and Teaching majors make $45,151 per annum on average (top 31%). Later on in their occupations, they normally bring in something between $28,032 and $65,055, but average around $42,900. For context, that is 11% more than the national average.

 The most popular work position for a Special Education and Teaching graduate is Consultant, which ordinarily earn roughly $56,000; next are Patient Access Representative and Pharmacist Technician, which generally earn approximately $25,000 and $28,000 respectively.

 The highest earning region for Special Education and Teaching graduates is The Mid East. The most well paid state for Special Education and Teaching graduates is MD. Patriot League has the highest grossing Special Education and Teaching graduates of any conference..



### PROFESSORS

 Fast Facts for Special Education and Teaching: Median Professor Rating: 4.3 / 5, which is Top 100.

 Instructors consistently have a hefty influence your college experience, no matter what you study. An effective instructor might provide inspiration and even make a difficult subject seem fun. On the other hand, an unpleasant professor can drive unnecessary frustration or even worse... flunk you!

 Professors of Special Education and Teaching boast a median student rating of 4.3 / 5, which puts these professors in 65th place in the United States grounded in overall professor effectivness. For context a 4.3 rating is 7.5% greater than the national median professor rating for all subjects. Professors of Special Education and Teaching slightly surpassed those from ["American Sign Language"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-american-sign-language), whereas ["Criminology"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-criminology)&nbspprofessors ranked one slot above Special Education and Teaching.

 Now for some statistics about Special Education and Teaching professors. Colleges located in fringe rural areas tend to have the best Special Education and Teaching professors. The Atlantic Sun Conference has the highest rated Special Education and Teaching professors. The Southeast region has the highest rated Special Education and Teaching professors. Public universities tend to have higher rated Special Education and Teaching professors than private schools. Finally, Connecticut has the highest rated Special Education and Teaching professors in the United States.

 John Lynch, instructor at [Arizona State University-Tempe](/colleges/arizona-state-university-tempe)&nbspin Tempe, AZ is the most popular Special Education and Teaching professor in America. Neveser Koker, instructor at [Arizona State University-Tempe](/colleges/arizona-state-university-tempe)&nbspin Tempe, AZ is the highest rated Special Education and Teaching professor in America, with a rating of 5 / 5.

 Find out which schools have the [Best Professors](/rankings/best-professors)!



### STUDENTS

 College can be a supremely significant period of one's life; it is a time for personal growth and expansion. Students continue to find out who they wish to be and cultivate the essential skills to become a flourishing member of society. But growth is more than sitting in a classroom environment - the late nights discussing James Baldwin with a schoolmate, the personal lesson gained from an eccentric professor, the exposure to a different vantage point. As such, attending a diverse college greatly improves what one gains from the time at school.

 Special Education and Teaching is in the bottom 10% of subjects for ethnic diversity\*. 82% of the US' Special Education and Teaching majors are white students, followed by latino students (8%), black students (4%), and students of other races\*\*(4%). The most racially diverse college\* in the top 100 is [University of Hawaii at Manoa](/colleges/university-of-hawaii-at-manoa)&nbspin Honolulu, HI.

 Additionally, Special Education and Teaching skews very heavily female, more so 94% of subjects. 90% of students majoring in Special Education and Teaching identify as women. The most gender balanced school in the top 100 is [University of St Francis](/colleges/university-of-st-francis) in Joliet, IL.

 Another critical type of diversity is income diversity. Unfortunately, Special Education and Teaching is less financially diverse than 61% of majors in the nation. 32% of its students come from families with $110,000 plus annual incomes, 17% are from families with $75,000 to $110,000 annual incomes, and 22% grew up in homes bringing in below $30,000 a year. [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte) has the most economically diverse students in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall HI is the most diverse state for Special Education and Teaching. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the Big West Conference is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 2%
* Black: 4%
* Latino: 8%
* White: 82%
* Other: 4%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 10%
* Female: 90%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 22%
* 30k - 48k: 14%
* 48k - 75k: 16%
* 75k - 110k: 17%
* Over 110k: 32%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 67%
* Out of State: 28%
* International: 5%


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SALARY