Best colleges for Special Education and Teaching in Missouri
Ranked by graduate earnings
Missouri State University - Springfield, Northwest Missouri State University and University of Missouri-Columbia are the top bachelor's Special Education and Teaching programs in Missouri by graduate earnings. Missouri State University - Springfield leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,250, College Scorecard. Missouri State University - Springfield, Northwest Missouri State University and University of Missouri-Columbia award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Missouri: 127, 51 and 36 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 22 Missouri colleges offer Special Education and Teaching and award 376 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 6 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 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,250 | 127 | 58% | — | $22,500 |
| 2 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,040 | 51 | 54% | — | $26,250 |
| 3 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,547 | 36 | 75% | — | $20,357 |
| 4 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,450 | 21 | 58% | — | $25,000 |
| 5 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,365 | 21 | 54% | — | $26,000 |
| 6 | Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,312 | 6 | 48% | $25,407 | $28,688 |
Colleges awarding the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Missouri
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 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public | 127 | $38,250 |
| 2 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville Public | 51 | $38,040 |
| 3 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia Public | 36 | $37,547 |
| 4 | Truman State University Kirksville Public | 26 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public | 21 | $36,365 |
| 6 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau Public | 21 | $37,450 |
| 7 | Webster University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 9 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 10 | Drury University Springfield Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 12 Missouri colleges offering Special Education and Teaching
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln University | Jefferson City | Public | 12 |
| Central Methodist University - College of Graduate and Extended Studies | Fayette | Private not-for-profit | 12 |
| Missouri Baptist University | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Evangel University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Avila University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Fayette | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Hannibal-LaGrange University | Hannibal | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Missouri Western State University | Saint Joseph | Public | 2 |
| Missouri Valley College | Marshall | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | Kansas City | Public | 1 |
| Rockhurst University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| William Woods University | Fulton | 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 Missouri
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Special Education and Teaching programs in Missouri.
Which Missouri colleges award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees?+
Missouri State University - Springfield (127 graduates a year), Northwest Missouri State University (51 graduates a year) and University of Missouri-Columbia (36 graduates a year) award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 22 Missouri colleges offer Special Education and Teaching.
What is the best college for Special Education and Teaching in Missouri?+
By graduate earnings, Missouri State University - Springfield leads among bachelor's Special Education and Teaching programs in Missouri, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,250, College Scorecard. Northwest Missouri State University and University of Missouri-Columbia follow. By degrees awarded, Missouri State University - Springfield is the largest, with 127 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Special Education and Teaching program in Missouri has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Missouri State University - Springfield tops the list at $38,250. 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 Missouri?+
The average annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Missouri is $73,630 (median $62,250), across about 940 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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