Elementary Special Education Teaching: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared to support diverse learners in early educational settings, this program equips future educators with the expertise to design and deliver specialized instruction for elementary-aged students with learning differences and disabilities. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based practices that foster academic growth, social development, and inclusive classroom environments.
- Diagnosing Learning Disabilities: Learn to identify and assess cognitive, behavioral, and academic challenges through standardized tools and observational techniques to inform effective intervention strategies.
- Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Master the process of developing, implementing, and evaluating customized learning plans that align with student needs, legal requirements, and educational goals.
- Curriculum Development for Special Needs: Design adaptable, standards-aligned lesson plans that accommodate varied learning styles and ensure access to core subject content.
- Instructional Strategies: Apply research-backed teaching methods tailored to students with diverse abilities, including multisensory approaches, universal design for learning, and assistive technology integration.
- Classroom Management: Develop systems for creating structured, supportive, and inclusive learning environments that promote positive behavior and minimize disruptions.
- Elementary Subject Matter Instruction: Gain proficiency in teaching foundational disciplines—such as literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies—within the context of special education frameworks.
Elementary Special Education Teaching Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Elementary Special Education Teaching Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Elementary Special Education Teaching degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 59,090 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
Salary Comparison
Elementary Special Education Teaching Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,910 in Hawaii to $85,560 in California—a 71% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Louisiana. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 59,090 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Elementary Special Education Teaching by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 77 institutions offering Elementary Special Education Teaching programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Elementary Special Education Teaching is found at Touro University (338 graduates), Niagara University (197 graduates), CUNY Hunter College (161 graduates), State University of New York, Cortland (98 graduates), and CUNY City College (CCNY) (74 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,055 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touro University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
338 |
SAT: 1275-1440 ACT: 28-33 |
New York, New York | Private | touro.edu |
| Niagara University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
197 |
SAT: 1030-1240 ACT: 23-27 |
Niagara University, New York | Private | niagara.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
161 | SAT: 1210-1470 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
98 | N/A | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
74 | SAT: 1220-1460 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Bachelor's
|
69 |
SAT: 1050-1270 ACT: 19-28 |
Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Master's
|
68 |
SAT: 1058-1175 ACT: 19-24 |
Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
63 |
SAT: 1200-1380 ACT: 26-31 |
Geneseo, New York | Public | geneseo.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
61 |
SAT: 860-1210 ACT: 20-26 |
Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| SUNY College |
Master's
|
57 | SAT: 1100-1270 | Plattsburgh, New York | Public | plattsburgh.edu |
| Merrimack College |
Master's
|
55 | N/A | North Andover, Massachusetts | Private | merrimack.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Master's
|
55 | SAT: 1140-1420 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| SUNY Old Westbury |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52 | N/A | Old Westbury, New York | Public | oldwestbury.edu |
| St. John's University (SJU) |
Master's
|
47 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 24-29 |
Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
| Adelphi University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
40 |
SAT: 1140-1310 ACT: 24-30 |
Garden City, New York | Private | adelphi.edu |
| Manhattanville College |
Master's
|
40 | N/A | Purchase, New York | Private | mville.edu |
| College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) |
Master's
|
32 | N/A | Staten Island, New York | Public | csi.cuny.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
31 |
SAT: 1080-1250 ACT: 25-30 |
Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Marist College |
Bachelor's
|
31 |
SAT: 1220-1360 ACT: 27-30 |
Poughkeepsie, New York | Private | marist.edu |
| Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) |
Master's
|
30 | N/A | New York, New York | Private | mcny.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
29 | SAT: 1100-1320 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| CUNY Lehman College |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
24 | SAT: 860-1220 | Bronx, New York | Public | lehman.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
|
24 |
SAT: 1260-1430 ACT: 28-32 |
Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Neumann University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23 | N/A | Aston, Pennsylvania | Private | neumann.edu |
| Buena Vista University (BVU) |
Master's
|
21 | ACT: 18-25 | Storm Lake, Iowa | Private | bvu.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Master's
|
20 |
SAT: 1270-1450 ACT: 29-33 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | SAT: 860-1160 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | N/A | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| La Salle University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| City University of Seattle (CityU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | N/A | Seattle, Washington | Private | cityu.edu |
| Molloy College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14 |
SAT: 1080-1310 ACT: 24-29 |
Rockville Centre, New York | Private | molloy.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Master's
|
14 | SAT: 960-1190 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| Keuka College |
Bachelor's
|
13 | SAT: 1008-1183 | Keuka Park, New York | Private | keuka.edu |
| Fordham University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 1330-1490 ACT: 30-33 |
Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 1210-1380 ACT: 27-31 |
Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | N/A | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Shorter University |
Bachelor's
|
11 |
SAT: 900-1130 ACT: 17-23 |
Rome, Georgia | Private | shorter.edu |
| Marietta College |
Bachelor's
|
11 |
SAT: 990-1295 ACT: 18-24 |
Marietta, Ohio | Private | marietta.edu |
| Alma College |
Bachelor's
|
10 | N/A | Alma, Michigan | Private | alma.edu |
| State University of New York |
Master's
|
9 |
SAT: 1060-1270 ACT: 23-27 |
Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
| Heidelberg University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | N/A | Tiffin, Ohio | Private | heidelberg.edu |
| Simmons University |
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1230-1390 ACT: 26-31 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | simmons.edu |
| University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies |
Bachelor's
|
7 | N/A | Manchester, New Hampshire | Public | cps.unh.edu |
| Messiah University |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 1100-1340 ACT: 22-30 |
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Private | messiah.edu |
| CUNY Medgar Evers College (MEC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | SAT: 780-1000 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | mec.cuny.edu |
| Elmira College (EC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | SAT: 1116-1332 | Elmira, New York | Private | elmira.edu |
| Hobart William Smith Colleges (HWS) |
Master's
|
6 |
SAT: 1220-1360 ACT: 26-32 |
Geneva, New York | Private | hws.edu |
| State University of New York |
Master's
|
6 |
SAT: 1170-1340 ACT: 24-29 |
New Paltz, New York | Public | newpaltz.edu |
| Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1000-1190 ACT: 20-28 |
Shawnee, Oklahoma | Private | okbu.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Master's
|
5 |
SAT: 1090-1250 ACT: 23-28 |
Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1105-1350 ACT: 25-31 |
Delaware, Ohio | Private | owu.edu |
| Drexel University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 |
SAT: 1230-1430 ACT: 27-33 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 995-1150 ACT: 19-23 |
Pulaski, Tennessee | Public | utsouthern.edu |
| Upper Iowa University (UIU) |
Master's
|
4 |
SAT: 970-1160 ACT: 14-21 |
Fayette, Iowa | Private | uiu.edu |
| New England College (NEC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | N/A | Henniker, New Hampshire | Private | nec.edu |
| Iona University |
Master's
|
4 |
SAT: 1055-1265 ACT: 20-28 |
New Rochelle, New York | Private | iona.edu |
| Monroe College |
Master's
|
4 | N/A | Bronx, New York | Private | monroecollege.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
Other Award
|
4 |
SAT: 1400-1540 ACT: 31-34 |
Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| St. Francis College (SFC) |
Master's
|
4 | N/A | Brooklyn, New York | Private | sfc.edu |
| Abilene Christian University (ACU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1060-1290 ACT: 22-28 |
Abilene, Texas | Private | acu.edu |
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine (SJC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | SAT: 910-1140 | Standish, Maine | Private | sjcme.edu |
| Concordia University-Nebraska |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1040-1235 ACT: 19-26 |
Seward, Nebraska | Private | cune.edu |
| Mercy University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | N/A | Dobbs Ferry, New York | Private | mercy.edu |
| Chestnut Hill College (CHC) |
Master's
|
3 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | chc.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | N/A | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Welch College |
Master's
|
2 | N/A | Gallatin, Tennessee | Private | welch.edu |
| Trinity Baptist College (TBC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 880-1055 ACT: 17-23 |
Jacksonville, Florida | Private | tbc.edu |
| Thomas University (TU) |
Post-Master's
|
1 |
SAT: 970-1110 ACT: 18-23 |
Thomasville, Georgia | Private | thomasu.edu |
| Southern University (SUNO) |
Master's
|
1 | ACT: 14-18 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | suno.edu |
| Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) |
Master's
|
1 |
SAT: 953-1138 ACT: 19-25 |
New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | xula.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 935-1165 ACT: 17-25 |
Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| Empire State University |
Master's
|
1 | N/A | Saratoga Springs, New York | Public | sunyempire.edu |
| Yeshiva University (YU) |
Master's
|
1 |
SAT: 1320-1500 ACT: 28-33 |
New York, New York | Private | yu.edu |
| Oral Roberts University (ORU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1083-1250 ACT: 22-27 |
Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | oru.edu |
| Belmont University |
Master's
|
1 |
SAT: 1160-1350 ACT: 23-30 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| Lee University |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1020-1240 ACT: 20-26 |
Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | N/A | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Elementary Special Education Teaching programs
How much can I earn with a Elementary Special Education Teaching degree?
Salaries for Elementary Special Education Teaching graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $85,560 compared to $49,910 in Hawaii. Approximately 59,090 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Elementary Special Education Teaching programs?
Currently 77 accredited institutions offer Elementary Special Education Teaching degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Touro University (338 graduates), Niagara University (197 graduates), and CUNY Hunter College (161 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Elementary Special Education Teaching growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 534 in 2010 to 2,055 in 2023-24. This represents a 285% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Elementary Special Education Teaching degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 59,090 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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