Compare 55 Special Education and Teaching. programs in the South. Average earnings: $42,146.
Special Education and Teaching programs produce graduates earning between $43,595 and $57,130—a $13K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 55 ranked programs in the South, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Florida International University's Special Education and Teaching program leads with graduates earning $57,130. The University of Maryland-College Park follows closely at $56,658, while Towson University ranks third at $52,508. Against the regional average of $42,146, these programs prove that targeted evaluation beats relying on overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Florida International University graduates borrow $16,500 and face just a 6.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making this program both high-earning and highly affordable.
Highest program earnings: $57,130
Strong outcomes with 59% acceptance
6.5% payment burden | Excellent
12.8% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $57,130 | 39 | $16,500 | Excellent | $13,610 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $56,658 | 9 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Challenging | |
| #3 | Towson UniversityPublic | $52,508 | 117 | $18,718 | Good | $28,489 | Challenging |
| #4 | $52,345 | 20 | $17,236 | Excellent | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $52,341 | 30 | $18,000 | Good | $17,000 | Manageable |
| #6 | Hood CollegePrivate | $49,956 | 9 | $25,000 | Manageable | $23,522 | High |
| #7 | $49,745 | 14 | $17,622 | Good | $18,946 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $48,147 | 15 | $18,190 | Good | $16,036 | Challenging | |
| #9 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $47,248 | 46 | $18,500 | Good | $20,855 | Challenging |
| #10 | Georgia Gwinnett CollegePublic | $46,788 | 22 | $20,076 | Good | $11,267 | Challenging |
| #11 | $46,434 | 18 | $17,988 | Good | $15,541 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $45,735 | 23 | $22,250 | Manageable | $15,753 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $45,434 | 17 | $23,250 | Manageable | $16,000 | Challenging | |
| #14 | $45,349 | 63 | $22,750 | Manageable | $48,666 | High | |
| #15 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $45,087 | 69 | $21,000 | Manageable | $43,605 | High |
| #16 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $44,843 | 22 | $22,500 | Manageable | $30,006 | High |
| #17 | $44,559 | 26 | $20,500 | Manageable | $30,610 | High | |
| #18 | $44,318 | 21 | $20,346 | Manageable | $16,180 | Challenging | |
| #19 | University Of ArkansasPublic | $43,718 | 20 | $21,500 | Manageable | $28,086 | High |
| #20 | $43,595 | 17 | $17,367 | Good | $11,366 | Challenging | |
| #21 | $43,536 | 9 | $23,970 | Manageable | $15,047 | High | |
| #22 | $43,051 | 24 | $15,531 | Good | $13,835 | Challenging | |
| #23 | $42,582 | 12 | $21,000 | Manageable | $15,191 | High | |
| #24 | $42,392 | 17 | $19,500 | Manageable | $22,737 | High | |
| #25 | $42,295 | 33 | $20,231 | Manageable | $21,919 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
