Best colleges for Special Education and Teaching in Massachusetts
Ranked by graduate earnings
Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University and University of Massachusetts-Boston award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees and certificates in Massachusetts: 118, 88 and 86 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 26 Massachusetts colleges offer Special Education and Teaching and award 1,021 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 2 institutions, 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 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,061 | 118 | 53% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | Westfield State University Westfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,429 | 27 | 54% | — | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Massachusetts
Top 10 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 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater Public | 118 | $50,061 |
| 2 | Fitchburg State University Fitchburg Public | 88 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston Public | 86 | Not reported |
| 4 | Worcester State University Worcester Public | 84 | Not reported |
| 5 | Endicott College Beverly Private not-for-profit | 74 | Not reported |
| 6 | Merrimack College North Andover Private not-for-profit | 51 | Not reported |
| 7 | Lesley University Cambridge Private not-for-profit | 48 | Not reported |
| 8 | Simmons University Boston Private not-for-profit | 44 | Not reported |
| 9 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit | 43 | Not reported |
| 10 | American International College Springfield Private not-for-profit | 39 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 16 Massachusetts colleges offering Special Education and Teaching
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge College | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 92 |
| Lasell University | Newton | Private not-for-profit | 33 |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms | Chicopee | Private not-for-profit | 30 |
| Stonehill College | Easton | Private not-for-profit | 27 |
| Westfield State University | Westfield | Public | 27 |
| Assumption University | Worcester | Private not-for-profit | 26 |
| Boston College | Chestnut Hill | Private not-for-profit | 19 |
| Regis College | Weston | Private not-for-profit | 19 |
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth | Public | 19 |
| Salem State University | Salem | Public | 18 |
| Framingham State University | Framingham | Public | 16 |
| Gordon College | Wenham | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Curry College | Milton | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Anna Maria College | Paxton | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Springfield College | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Emmanuel College | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Special Education Teachers, Preschool (SOC 25-2051).
Top skills
What Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn in Massachusetts
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Special Education and Teaching programs in Massachusetts.
Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees?+
Bridgewater State University (118 graduates a year), Fitchburg State University (88 graduates a year) and University of Massachusetts-Boston (86 graduates a year) award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees and certificates in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 26 Massachusetts colleges offer Special Education and Teaching.
Which Special Education and Teaching program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Bridgewater State University tops the list at $50,061. 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 Massachusetts?+
The average annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Massachusetts is $94,860 (median $99,070), across about 710 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.
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