Best colleges for Special Education and Teaching in Minnesota
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minnesota State University - Mankato and Winona State University are the top bachelor's Special Education and Teaching programs in Minnesota by graduate earnings. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $49,771, College Scorecard. Minnesota State University - Mankato, University of St Thomas and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Minnesota: 269, 109 and 79 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 23 Minnesota colleges offer Special Education and Teaching and award 789 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 5 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,771 | 79 | 85% | — | $18,387 |
| 2 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,132 | 269 | 54% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | Winona State University Winona Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,697 | 37 | 57% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,662 | 64 | 40% | — | $28,250 |
| 5 | Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,510 | 28 | 45% | — | $30,542 |
Colleges awarding the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Minnesota
Top 10 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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato Public | 269 | $47,132 |
| 2 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul Private not-for-profit | 109 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis Public | 79 | $49,771 |
| 4 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud Public | 64 | $46,662 |
| 5 | Bethel University Saint Paul Private not-for-profit | 42 | Not reported |
| 6 | Winona State University Winona Public | 37 | $46,697 |
| 7 | Bemidji State University Bemidji Public | 34 | Not reported |
| 8 | Concordia University - Saint Paul Saint Paul Private not-for-profit | 31 | Not reported |
| 9 | Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall Public | 28 | $44,510 |
| 10 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 13 Minnesota colleges offering Special Education and Teaching
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capella University (Online) | Minneapolis | Private for-profit | 22 |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead | Public | 17 |
| Normandale Community College | Bloomington | Public | 8 |
| Anoka-Ramsey Community College | Coon Rapids | Public | 6 |
| Ridgewater College | Willmar | Public | 5 |
| Walden University (Online) | Minneapolis | Private for-profit | 4 |
| Hamline University | Saint Paul | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Minnesota North College | Hibbing | Public | 4 |
| The College of Saint Scholastica | Duluth | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Augsburg University | Minneapolis | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul | Public | 1 |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College | Saint Cloud | Public | 1 |
| Century College | White Bear Lake | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Special Education Teachers, Preschool (SOC 25-2051).
Top skills
What Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn in Minnesota
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Special Education and Teaching programs in Minnesota.
Which Minnesota colleges award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees?+
Minnesota State University - Mankato (269 graduates a year), University of St Thomas (109 graduates a year) and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (79 graduates a year) award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Minnesota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 23 Minnesota colleges offer Special Education and Teaching.
What is the best college for Special Education and Teaching in Minnesota?+
By graduate earnings, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities leads among bachelor's Special Education and Teaching programs in Minnesota, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $49,771, College Scorecard. Minnesota State University - Mankato and Winona State University follow. By degrees awarded, Minnesota State University - Mankato is the largest, with 269 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Special Education and Teaching program in Minnesota has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities tops the list at $49,771. 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 Minnesota?+
The average annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Minnesota is $72,260 (median $75,880), across about 1,250 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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