Best colleges for Special Education and Teaching in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
George Mason University, Liberty University and Old Dominion University award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees and certificates in Virginia: 317, 292 and 94 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 19 Virginia colleges offer Special Education and Teaching and award 968 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 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,699 | 292 | 65% | $28,911 | $29,875 |
Colleges awarding the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Virginia
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 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 317 | Not reported |
| 2 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 292 | $39,699 |
| 3 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public | 94 | Not reported |
| 4 | Radford University Radford Public | 74 | Not reported |
| 5 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public | 48 | Not reported |
| 6 | William & Mary Williamsburg Public | 23 | Not reported |
| 7 | Regent University Virginia Beach Private not-for-profit | 22 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Lynchburg Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 9 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Virginia Charlottesville Public | 13 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 9 Virginia colleges offering Special Education and Teaching
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenandoah University | Winchester | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Mary Baldwin University | Staunton | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Averett University | Danville | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Marymount University | Arlington | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Norfolk State University | Norfolk | Public | 5 |
| Randolph College | Lynchburg | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Virginia State University | Petersburg | Public | 3 |
| Virginia Union University | Richmond | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia Beach | 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 Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Special Education and Teaching programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees?+
George Mason University (317 graduates a year), Liberty University (292 graduates a year) and Old Dominion University (94 graduates a year) award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees and certificates in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 19 Virginia colleges offer Special Education and Teaching.
Which Special Education and Teaching program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Liberty University tops the list at $39,699. 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 Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Virginia is $79,490 (median $77,570), across about 650 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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