Compare 207 Special Education and Teaching. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $48,706. Top programs: $83,932+.
With top graduates earning $84K, Special Education and Teaching stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $35K across 207 ranked programs—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Topping the list, Manhattan University's Special Education and Teaching program delivers $84K in median earnings—well above the $49K field average. SUNY Cortland, a public university, lands at #2 with $74K, outperforming dozens of private institutions. That's the pattern this field keeps confirming: program quality drives outcomes, not the prestige of the institution awarding the degree.
Debt burden reveals the real affordability picture. CUNY Medgar Evers College graduates borrow just $10,988 in student loans and face a 3.4% payment burden—an 'Excellent' GPS rating meaning loan payments take a minimal slice of post-grad income. When family borrowing is included, Medgar Evers still leads with a 7.1% family burden, also rated 'Excellent'—a rare double win on affordability.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Manhattan UniversityPrivate | $83,932 | 26 | $26,000 | Excellent | $56,630 | Challenging |
| #2 | $74,079 | 86 | $21,500 | Excellent | $24,455 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Seton Hall UniversityPrivate | $72,067 | 20 | $22,750 | Excellent | $40,003 | Challenging |
| #4 | Molloy UniversityPrivate | $71,781 | 32 | $27,000 | Excellent | $39,248 | Challenging |
| #5 | $66,767 | 76 | $23,250 | Excellent | $30,611 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $66,377 | 39 | $10,988 | Excellent | $10,068 | Excellent | |
| #7 | Pace UniversityPrivate | $65,151 | 26 | — | — | — | — |
| #8 | $64,827 | 31 | $25,500 | Good | $42,436 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $64,780 | 101 | $18,500 | Excellent | $23,123 | Manageable | |
| #10 | Nevada State UniversityPublic | $64,201 | 7 | $19,691 | Excellent | $12,146 | Good |
| #11 | La Salle UniversityPrivate | $63,434 | 20 | $25,000 | Good | $31,871 | Challenging |
| #12 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $62,864 | 39 | $26,000 | Good | $39,841 | Challenging |
| #13 | $62,506 | 36 | — | — | — | — | |
| #14 | Suny Old WestburyPublic | $62,389 | 42 | $14,997 | Excellent | $16,500 | Good |
| #15 | $62,087 | 28 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,988 | Challenging | |
| #16 | Kean UniversityPublic | $61,158 | 42 | $23,250 | Good | $22,000 | Manageable |
| #17 | $61,066 | 12 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,324 | Challenging | |
| #18 | $60,958 | 29 | $19,450 | Excellent | $20,906 | Manageable | |
| #19 | $60,685 | 19 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $60,391 | 45 | $24,218 | Good | $25,252 | Challenging | |
| #21 | $60,365 | 34 | $22,250 | Good | $23,770 | Manageable | |
| #22 | $59,570 | 9 | — | — | — | — | |
| #23 | $59,429 | 29 | $15,531 | Excellent | $13,835 | Good | |
| #24 | University Of HartfordPrivate | $59,185 | 21 | $27,000 | Good | $44,000 | High |
| #25 | $58,953 | 5 | $17,095 | Excellent | $10,166 | Good |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
