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Master's Degree in Special Education

Master’s Degrees in Special Education

19,631 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Median Salary
86% Women
A master's degree in special ed is offered at 631 colleges in the United States. Among those who recently graduated from the schools offering this degree, the majority were women, and 30% were students from underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Also, 1.1% of special ed graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Special Ed Majors

During the most recent year for which data is available, 19,631 people earned their master's degree in special ed. This earns it the #8 spot on the list of the most popular master's degree programs in the nation.

The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in special ed at each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Master’s Degree 19,631
Graduate Certificate 3,743
Doctor’s Degree 216

Earnings of Special Ed Majors With Master’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in special ed is $56,893. This number may vary for a lot of reasons. For instance, you may decide to move to a location where people with your degree are rare and make more money. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $53,101 and the high is $62,165.

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Student Debt

The data on debt ranges for special ed majors who have their master's degree is not available.

Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their master's degree in special ed. About 85.7% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 2,810
Women 16,821
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The racial-ethnic distribution of special ed master’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 584
Black or African American 1,918
Hispanic or Latino 2,895
White 12,460
International Students 211
Other Races/Ethnicities 1,563
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There are 631 colleges that offer a master’s degree in special ed. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
1,624 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
84% Women

Grand Canyon University tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree. Each year, around 103,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,390 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,138 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,624 people received their master's degree in special ed from Grand Canyon University. Of these students, 84% were women and 40% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Grand Canyon University special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,893.

#2

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
1,369 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
91% Women

The 2nd most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree is Ball State University. Roughly 21,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,688 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,922 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,369 people received their master's degree in special ed from Ball State. Of these students, 91% were women and 29% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Ball State University special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,893.

#3

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
1,272 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
87% Women

Arizona State University - Skysong comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 53,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,170 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,272 people received their master's degree in special ed from ASU - Skysong. Of these students, 87% were women and 44% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that ASU - Skysong graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $56,893.

#4

Touro College

New York, New York
635 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
88% Women

The 4th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree is Touro College. Roughly 11,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $18,950 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,545 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 635 people received their master's degree in special ed from Touro. About 88% of this group were women, and 36% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Touro graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $56,893.

#5

National University

San Diego, California
431 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
77% Women

National University is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Roughly 18,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,320 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,912 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 431 people received their master's degree in special ed from National University. About 77% of this group were women, and 49% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in special ed at National University make a median salary of 56,893.

#6

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah
420 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
82% Women

Western Governors University is the 6th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Each year, around 147,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,710 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,302 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 420 people received their master's degree in special ed from WGU. Around 19% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 82% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in special ed at Western Governors University make a median salary of 56,893.

#7

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas
330 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
93% Women

Lamar University is the 7th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Roughly 16,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,228 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,471 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 330 people received their master's degree in special ed from Lamar University. About 93% of this group were women, and 42% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Lamar University graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $56,893.

#8

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
326 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
86% Women

George Mason University comes in at #8 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 38,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,095 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,726 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 326 people received their master's degree in special ed from GMU. Around 36% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 86% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in special ed at George Mason University make a median salary of 56,893.

#9

Hunter College

New York, New York
320 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
84% Women

The 9th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree is Hunter College. Each year, around 24,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,090 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 320 people received their master's degree in special ed from Hunter. About 84% of this group were women, and 53% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Hunter graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $56,893.

#10

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
306 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
89% Women

The 10th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree is Liberty University. Each year, around 93,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,740 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 306 people received their master's degree in special ed from Liberty University. Around 22% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 89% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in special ed at Liberty University make a median salary of 56,893.

#11

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida
243 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
90% Women

The University of West Florida is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Each year, around 13,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $3,735 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,088 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 243 people received their master's degree in special ed from UWF. About 90% of this group were women, and 33% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UWF graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $56,893.

#12

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York
236 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
69% Women

Brooklyn College is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Each year, around 17,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,090 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 236 people received their master's degree in special ed from Brooklyn College. Around 62% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 69% were women. Brooklyn College special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,893.

#13

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts
208 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
97% Women

Endicott College comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 4,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $38,312 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,370 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 208 people received their master's degree in special ed from Endicott. Of these students, 97% were women and 13% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Endicott College special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,893.

#14

Pace University - New York

New York, New York
196 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
70% Women

The 14th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree is Pace University - New York. Each year, around 12,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $49,550 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $28,091 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 196 people received their master's degree in special ed from Pace University. Of these students, 70% were women and 53% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Pace University graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $56,893.

#15

Daemen College

Amherst, New York
187 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
83% Women

Daemen College comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 2,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $33,054 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $25,728 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 187 people received their master's degree in special ed from Daemen College. Daemen College special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,893.

#16

LIU Post

Brookville, New York
173 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
72% Women

LIU Post comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 15,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $39,458 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $24,336 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 173 people received their master's degree in special ed from LIU Post. Of these students, 72% were women and 42% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. LIU Post special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,893.

156 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
91% Women

The 17th most popular school in the country for special ed majors who are seeking their master's degree is Arkansas State University - Main Campus. Roughly 13,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,176 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,534 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 156 people received their master's degree in special ed from A-State. About 91% of this group were women, and 11% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in special ed at Arkansas State University - Main Campus make a median salary of 56,893.

#18

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, Colorado
152 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
94% Women

University of Northern Colorado is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in special ed. Roughly 11,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,784 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,204 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 152 people received their master's degree in special ed from University of Northern Colorado. Around 18% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 94% were women. University of Northern Colorado special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,893.

#19

American International College

Springfield, Massachusetts
148 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
80% Women

American International College comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 2,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $41,970 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,595 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 148 people received their master's degree in special ed from AIC. About 80% of this group were women, and 27% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that AIC graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $56,893.

142 Yearly Graduations
$56,893 Average Salary
91% Women

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley comes in at #20 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in special ed. Each year, around 32,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,637 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,948 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 142 people received their master's degree in special ed from UT Rio Grande Valley. Around 87% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 91% were women. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley special ed graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $56,893.

Below are some popular majors that are similar to special ed that offer master’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Teacher Education Grade Specific 28,813
Educational Administration 25,551
Curriculum & Instruction 17,349
Teacher Education Subject Specific 16,456
General Education 14,076

References

*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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