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.
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Top Online Special Education Degree Programs
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school's program to identify qualities that set it apart from others on this list, prioritizing factors like affordability, programming, and tuition discounts. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools' facts in December 2025.
Why You Should Get a Bachelor's in Special Education
Work on a school schedule: Most special education teachers work on a 10-month schedule with breaks during the year.
Lesson planning: Create activities and adapt lesson plans to instruct students with disabilities.
Advocate for students: Work with parents and other educators to create a plan to help your students learn and grow.
Improve 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:
97% said they would recommend online education to others.
94% said they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
85% 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
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.
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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.
| Grade Level | Median Annual Salary (2024) | Projected Job Growth (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool | $62,190 | 0% |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School | $63,000 | 2% |
| Middle School | $64,880 | -1% |
| High School | $69,590 | -1% |
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.
