Best colleges for Special Education and Teaching in Washington
Ranked by graduate earnings
Western Washington University, Eastern Washington University and University of Washington-Seattle Campus award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees and certificates in Washington: 78, 42 and 28 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 Washington colleges offer Special Education and Teaching and award 201 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 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,912 | 78 | 65% | — | $29,284 |
| 2 | Eastern Washington University Cheney Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,883 | 42 | 43% | — | $23,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in Washington
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 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public | 78 | $52,912 |
| 2 | Eastern Washington University Cheney Public | 42 | $41,883 |
| 3 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public | 28 | Not reported |
| 4 | Whitworth University Spokane Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 5 | Central Washington University Ellensburg Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 6 | Gonzaga University Spokane Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 7 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 8 | Washington State University Pullman Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 9 | Walla Walla University College Place Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Washington colleges offering Special Education and Teaching
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| City University of Seattle (Online) | Seattle | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Special Education Teachers, Preschool (SOC 25-2051).
Top skills
What Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn in Washington
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Special Education and Teaching programs in Washington.
Which Washington colleges award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees?+
Western Washington University (78 graduates a year), Eastern Washington University (42 graduates a year) and University of Washington-Seattle Campus (28 graduates a year) award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees and certificates in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 Washington colleges offer Special Education and Teaching.
Which Special Education and Teaching program in Washington has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Western Washington University tops the list at $52,912. 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 Washington?+
The average annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Washington is $91,660 (median $86,580), across about 820 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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