Calculated by dividing the debt-to-earnings by earningsplus percentage. The lower the economic score, the better.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
Earnings plus shows how much more or less the median student earns than the median earnings of undergraduate graduates in the same program type. (Based on ipeds CIP Code taxonomy)
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Calculated by dividing the debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Special education professionals work with children and adults who are atypically developing. A graduate degree in special education enhances their ability to work with special needs students by advancing their knowledge about the field. Check out the best special education graduate programs below. Read more about our ranking methodology here.
Our master’s in special education rankings cover 210 of the 424 universities available, accounting for 71% of total student conferrals. Three years after completing their degree, graduates earn a weighted average salary of $53,501.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $13,442
Earnings plus shows how much more or less the median student earns than the median earnings of undergraduate graduates in the same program type. (Based on ipeds CIP Code taxonomy)
Debt:$30,658
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.59
Calculated by dividing the debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
#2 in Alabama|#166 in Special Education nationally
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Economic score:0.55
Calculated by dividing the debt-to-earnings by earningsplus percentage. The lower the economic score, the better.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $8,842
Earnings plus shows how much more or less the median student earns than the median earnings of undergraduate graduates in the same program type. (Based on ipeds CIP Code taxonomy)
Debt:$31,890
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.68
Calculated by dividing the debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
#3 in Alabama|#179 in Special Education nationally
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, Alabama
Economic score:0.59
Calculated by dividing the debt-to-earnings by earningsplus percentage. The lower the economic score, the better.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $7,516
Earnings plus shows how much more or less the median student earns than the median earnings of undergraduate graduates in the same program type. (Based on ipeds CIP Code taxonomy)
Debt:$32,030
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.70
Calculated by dividing the debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
#4 in Alabama|#214 in Special Education nationally
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Economic score:0.70
Calculated by dividing the debt-to-earnings by earningsplus percentage. The lower the economic score, the better.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $9,938
Earnings plus shows how much more or less the median student earns than the median earnings of undergraduate graduates in the same program type. (Based on ipeds CIP Code taxonomy)
Debt:$42,260
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.88
Calculated by dividing the debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
#5 in Alabama|#223 in Special Education nationally
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
Economic score:0.78
Calculated by dividing the debt-to-earnings by earningsplus percentage. The lower the economic score, the better.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $6,681
Earnings plus shows how much more or less the median student earns than the median earnings of undergraduate graduates in the same program type. (Based on ipeds CIP Code taxonomy)
Debt:$41,000
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.91
Calculated by dividing the debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
#6 in Alabama|#235 in Special Education nationally
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Economic score:0.91
Calculated by dividing the debt-to-earnings by earningsplus percentage. The lower the economic score, the better.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $5,846
Earnings plus shows how much more or less the median student earns than the median earnings of undergraduate graduates in the same program type. (Based on ipeds CIP Code taxonomy)
Debt:$46,387
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:1.05
Calculated by dividing the debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.