Best colleges for Special Education and Teaching in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
Morningside University, Northwestern College and Buena Vista University award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees and certificates in Iowa: 76, 75 and 54 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Iowa colleges offer Special Education and Teaching and award 297 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…
Top institution, 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Upper Iowa University Fayette Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,304 | 42 | 34% | $22,697 | $35,455 |
Colleges awarding the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Iowa
Top 9 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morningside University Sioux City Private not-for-profit | 76 | Not reported |
| 2 | Northwestern College Orange City Private not-for-profit | 75 | Not reported |
| 3 | Buena Vista University Storm Lake Private not-for-profit | 54 | Not reported |
| 4 | Upper Iowa University Fayette Private not-for-profit | 42 | $44,304 |
| 5 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 6 | Dordt University Sioux Center Private not-for-profit | 16 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 8 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 9 | Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Special Education Teachers, Preschool (SOC 25-2051).
Top skills
What Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Special Education and Teaching programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees?+
Morningside University (76 graduates a year), Northwestern College (75 graduates a year) and Buena Vista University (54 graduates a year) award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees and certificates in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Iowa colleges offer Special Education and Teaching.
Which Special Education and Teaching program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Upper Iowa University tops the list at $44,304. 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 Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Iowa is $61,470 (median $63,540). 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.
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