Colorado · Special Education and Teaching

Best colleges for Special Education and Teaching in Colorado

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Northern Colorado, University of Denver and University of Colorado Colorado Springs award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Colorado: 115, 40 and 38 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Colorado colleges offer Special Education and Teaching and award 265 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Special Education and Teaching program prepares students to work with individuals who have a range of disabilities and special needs. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of students…

Institutions
9
offering CIP 13.10
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
265
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$40,033
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,447
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
51%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Special Education Teachers, Preschool
$77,160
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Northern Colorado
Greeley Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,00911551%—$26,564
2Colorado Christian University
Lakewood Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$40,0331964%$23,447—
3Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$39,638632%—$20,027

Colleges awarding the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Colorado

Top 9 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of Northern Colorado
Greeley Public
115$44,009
2University of Denver
Denver Private not-for-profit
40Not reported
3University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Public
38Not reported
4University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Denver Public
27Not reported
5Colorado Christian University
Lakewood Private not-for-profit
19$40,033
6Western Colorado University
Gunnison Public
9Not reported
7Fort Lewis College
Durango Public
7Not reported
8Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver Public
6$39,638
9Regis University
Denver Private not-for-profit
4Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Special Education Teachers, Preschool (SOC 25-2051).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+1.4%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~2,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$62,190
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

SpeakingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingMonitoringWriting

What Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn in Colorado

Jobs in Colorado
810
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$77,160
median $78,040
Best-paying metro
$86,510
Boulder, CO

Related careers

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
$74,310 avg · 2,970 jobs
Special Education Teachers, Middle School
$71,610 avg · 2,020 jobs
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
$70,720 avg · 1,060 jobs
Special Education Teachers, Preschool
$77,160 avg · 810 jobs
Interpreters and Translators
$75,380 avg · 800 jobs
Special Education Teachers, All Other
$76,690 avg · 180 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Special Education and Teaching programs in Colorado.

Which Colorado colleges award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees?+

University of Northern Colorado (115 graduates a year), University of Denver (40 graduates a year) and University of Colorado Colorado Springs (38 graduates a year) award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Colorado, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Colorado colleges offer Special Education and Teaching.

Which Special Education and Teaching program in Colorado has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Northern Colorado tops the list at $44,009. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn in Colorado?+

The average annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Colorado is $77,160 (median $78,040), across about 810 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Special Education and Teaching program?+

The Special Education and Teaching program prepares students to work with individuals who have a range of disabilities and special needs. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of students…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Special Education Teachers, Preschool?+

The national job outlook is about +1.4% growth with around 2,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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