Best Online Special Education Degree Programs of 2025

Interested in a career in special education? Consider an online bachelor’s degree in special education using our guide.
Elin Johnson
By
Edited by
Reviewed by
Our Integrity Network

At Bestcolleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, "What information is vital to students right now?" Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.


The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.


If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.


Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

Updated August 28, 2025
chevron-up
Why Trust BestColleges
  • graphs

    3,700+ Nonprofit, accredited colleges analyzed

  • Phone

    6,000+ Users connected with programs every month

  • 300+ College and university partners

  • 40+ Expert reviewers

Learn more about our Editorial Policy and Standards and Advertising Disclosure.

BestColleges Top-Ranked-2024 Badge2025

At a Glance: Top Online Special Education Degrees of 2025

  • #1: University of Georgia — At UGA, you’ll take courses with the same cohort of peers.
  • #2: University of Central Florida — This program includes a practicum where you work directly with a special education student in your community.
  • #3: University of Arizona — At the university, you’ll train in high incidence disabilities, behavior principles, and special services in schools.

A career in special education can be rewarding and fulfilling. You’ll spend your days teaching skills to and educating children with disabilities. You’ll plan tailored lessons, create activities, and track students’ progress.

While there are special education jobs you can do without a bachelor’s or associate degree, you will likely earn more and be a more competitive job candidate with an undergraduate degree.

Fortunately, online degree programs allow you to learn at your own pace and may cost less. Read on to learn how to become a special education teacher and what an online degree in special education can offer you.

Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Add up to three schools to compare

Best Online Special Education Degree Programs of 2025

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
chevron-down

How We Rank Schools

#1

University of Georgia

  • Athens, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

UGA's online bachelor's in special education uses a cohort model, allowing you to take courses alongside the same group of peers. Typically lasting four semesters, the program highlights topics in learning disabilities, classroom management, and assistive technology.

Intended for Georgia residents, the program prepares you for P-12 special education teacher certification. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, so you'll need to be able to complete in-person activities in Georgia schools. During the final semester, you'll complete a full-time supervised student teaching experience.

Highlights

  • High student satisfaction rate
  • Accelerated master's pathway available

Know Before You Apply

  • Minimum 2.8 GPA required
  • Must hold 60 transferable credits

20%

Online Enrollment

$ 9,790

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

95%

Retention Rate

$28,830

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
37%
Students Enrolled
41,615
Institution Type
Public
#2

University of Central Florida

  • Orlando, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

UCF's online BS in exceptional student education trains you to teach students with language and communication disorders. The program makes our ranking due to its comprehensive curriculum, which includes courses in behavior management, language development, and teaching ESOL students in schools.

The curriculum includes a practicum in which you work directly with a special education student in your community. The program also meets Florida special education certification requirements, preparing you to obtain certification immediately after graduation.

Highlights

  • Three annual start dates
  • Affordable in-state tuition
  • 100% online format

Know Before You Apply

  • SAT/ACT scores required
  • $30 application fee
  • Application essay strongly encouraged

9%

Online Enrollment

$ 6,368

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

92%

Retention Rate

$22,467

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
43%
Students Enrolled
68,842
Institution Type
Public
#3

University of Arizona

  • Tucson, AZ
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

U of A's BS in education offers a concentration in mild to moderate disabilities for K-12 students. The program gives you the skills to teach students with learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and autism spectrum disorders.

The program includes three semesters of coursework, training you in topics such as high incidence disabilities, behavior principles, and special services in schools. During the final semester, you'll complete a supervised internship, observing special education practices in a classroom setting.

Highlights

  • Academic coaching and mentorship
  • 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • 90% satisfaction among online students

Know Before You Apply

  • Includes pre-major requirements
  • Only admits Arizona residents
  • $65 application fee

60%

Online Enrollment

$11,210

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

88%

Retention Rate

$35,628

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
86%
Students Enrolled
53,187
Institution Type
Public
#4

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

  • Whitewater, WI
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

UW-Whitewater's online bachelor's in special education makes our list for its experiential focus and strong student teaching opportunities. The program is intended for special education professionals, making it ideal if you already work as a special education assistant or para-educator.

UW-Whitewater offers condensed three- and eight-week classes, allowing you to pair your classroom learning with hands-on work in your current school district. The curriculum also meets the requirements for Wisconsin state teaching licensure.

Highlights

  • Cohort model
  • SAT/ACT scores optional
  • Awards the most teaching licenses of any Wisconsin college

Know Before You Apply

  • SAT/ACT required for transfer applicants
  • Intended only for practicing special education professionals

55%

Online Enrollment

$ 8,146

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

78%

Retention Rate

$17,688

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
94%
Students Enrolled
11,522
Institution Type
Public
#5

Campbell University

  • Buies Creek, NC
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

Campbell's BS in special education combines theoretical, research-based, and practical approaches to special education. You'll take courses in accelerated eight-week blocks to gain skills including classroom management, curriculum design, and student evaluation. 

As part of the curriculum, you'll complete short field experiences along with extensive student teaching at a school in your community. The program leads directly to North Carolina teaching licensure, and program graduates also boast a high pass rate on the edTPA national licensure test.

Highlights

  • 100% online courses
  • Strong faculty mentorship
  • Career support and job coaching

Know Before You Apply

  • Minimum 2.7 GPA required
  • Core Praxis Exam or SAT/ACT required

30%

Online Enrollment

$36,650

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

75%

Retention Rate

$36,650

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
89%
Students Enrolled
5,272
Institution Type
Private

Why You Should Get a Bachelor’s in Special Education

  • minusWork on a school schedule: Most special education teachers work on a 10-month schedule with breaks during the year.
  • minusLesson planning: Create activities and adapt lesson plans to instruct students with disabilities.
  • minusAdvocate for students: Work with parents and other educators to create a plan to help your students learn and grow.
  • minusImprove the lives of students: Teach valuable skills and knowledge to students.

Benefits of Getting a Bachelor’s Degree Online

According to our 2025 Online Education Trends Report surveying online bachelor’s students and graduates:

  • minus97% said they would recommend online education to others.
  • minus94% said they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
  • minus85% said an online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.

How to Choose the Best Online Special Education Program for You

When considering online special education programs, be sure to do your research first. Some important factors to consider include the program’s length, cost, and financial aid options, as well as what careers the program can help you qualify for.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor’s in Special Education Cost?

Online Bachelor’s in Education Tuition Cost, 2019-2020

In-State

$9,875 Avg. Tuition & Fees

$5,428 Avg. Net Price

Out-of-State

$9,303 Avg. Tuition & Fees

$5,069 Avg. Net Price

Source: NCES PowerStats

The cost of an online bachelor’s in education depends on several factors. Your residency status, the amount of scholarship and grant money you’ve received, your program’s delivery method (online vs. in person), and your program’s pace (part time, full time, or accelerated) can all impact the net price.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average tuition and fees for an online bachelor’s in education is $9,875 for in-state students. The average net price is $5,428. For an out-of-state student, the average tuition and fees add up to $9,303, and the average net price is $5,069.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Bachelor’s in Special Education?

Typical # of Credits

120 Credits

Typical Program Length

4 Years

A bachelor’s degree program in special education typically requires 120 credits and typically takes four years to complete.

Because online programs usually offer asynchronous or otherwise flexible course schedules, you may be able to earn an online degree faster or slower than in traditional programs. You can also look into accelerated degree programs, which allow you to graduate faster.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s in Special Education?

With a bachelor’s degree in special education, you can become a special education teacher at the preschool, elementary, middle, or high school level. You can also become a teacher assistant, behavior specialist, educational diagnostician, or tester.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects little to no change in job growth for special education teacher jobs between 2023 and 2033, which is lower than the national average of 4% growth.

Job Outlook for Special Education Teachers
Grade LevelMedian Annual Salary (2024)Projected Job Growth (2023-2033)
Preschool$62,1900%
Kindergarten and Elementary School$63,0002%
Middle School$64,880-1%
High School$69,590-1%
Source: BLS

Is a SPED Degree Worth It?

As a special education teacher, you can earn a median annual salary of $62,190-$69,590 depending on what grade level you teach. According to the BLS, the lowest 10% of special education teacher earners made less than $47,380 in 2024, and the highest 10% made over $103,290.

Completing your online special education degree will likely take you four years, and the average net price for the degree is around $25,000 (or between $5,000 and $5,400 per year).

Comparing the cost of a program to the median annual salaries of special education teachers, it is financially worth it to pursue a SPED degree.

Education Beyond a Bachelor’s in Special Education

After earning your bachelor’s degree in special education, you can earn a master’s or doctorate in special education. Both programs can be completed online.

Advanced degrees in special education can make you eligible for more administrative and specialized jobs that pay higher salaries. For example, according to the BLS, education administrators earned a median of $88,460 in 2023. Other special-education-related jobs that require a master’s degree may pay even more.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Bachelor’s in Special Education

Whether you find special education challenging depends on your personal capabilities and preferences, but it is generally not considered a hard major.

It is a field of study that requires patience, flexibility, and empathy. You will have to learn teaching theories, how to lesson plan, and how to prepare for teacher certification tests.

Explore More College Resources

Most In-Demand Education Careers

Most In-Demand Education Careers

Discover the top 10 fastest-growing education careers and what they entail. From archivist to special education teacher, there’s a career for you.

Margaret Weinhold

by Margaret Weinhold

Updated May 28, 2024

Online Teaching Degree Program Guide

Online Teaching Degree Program Guide

Do you want to be a teacher? This guide walks you through how an online teaching degree can unlock a rewarding career as an educator.

Bianca Gonzalez

by Bianca Gonzalez

Updated September 18, 2024

Best Online Master’s in Special Education Programs of 2025

Best Online Master’s in Special Education Programs of 2025

Do you want to teach students with disabilities? Discover the benefits of pursuing an online master’s in special education, including job opportunities and salary potential.

Bernard Grant, Ph.D.

by Bernard Grant, Ph.D.

Updated May 23, 2025