Special Education Degree Programs in Atlantic City, NJ (2026)

Quick answer: The Atlantic City metro employs about 420 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state education agency for current certification requirements.

Compare special education programs enrolling now:

Licensing

Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Teaching in a public school requires state certification, and the degree alone is not the license. Certification requirements, examinations and background checks are set state by state and change; special education adds its own endorsement in most states.

See the New Jersey licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state education agency for current certification requirements.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 10 schools within 101 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, NJ 77.3 miles away BOC Score 79.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 84.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 23
  • Annual completions: 987
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $77,933 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

The College of New Jersey

Ewing, NJ 63.8 miles away BOC Score 77.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 85.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 125
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $72,068 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Rowan University

Glassboro, NJ 42.2 miles away BOC Score 68.6
Tuition $16,574 - $35,842
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 77.7%
  • Graduation rate: 67.8%
  • Programs offered: 35
  • Annual completions: 1556
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $62,686 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Seton Hall University

South Orange, NJ 94.8 miles away BOC Score 66.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 70.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 12
  • Annual completions: 432
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $76,919 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Monmouth University

West Long Branch, NJ 66.6 miles away BOC Score 66.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 71.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 14
  • Annual completions: 169
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $68,968 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Kean University

Union, NJ 90.5 miles away BOC Score 65.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 45.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 16
  • Annual completions: 755
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $59,472 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Rider University

Lawrenceville, NJ 64.0 miles away BOC Score 64.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 62.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 19
  • Annual completions: 193
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $63,250 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Georgian Court University

Lakewood, NJ 51.2 miles away BOC Score 62.1
Tuition $37,260 - $50,671
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 78.8%
  • Graduation rate: 54.2%
  • Programs offered: 7
  • Annual completions: 18
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $62,671 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Caldwell University

Caldwell, NJ 100.9 miles away BOC Score 53.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 58.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 56
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $64,716 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

New Jersey City University

Jersey City, NJ 93.9 miles away BOC Score 49.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 36.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 16
  • Annual completions: 314
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $60,965 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

What Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Earn in Atlantic City

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the Atlantic City area earn a median $76,450 per year, above the national median of $65,120 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Special Education Pay in Atlantic City, NJ

MetricAtlantic City metroNew JerseyNational
Median annual wage$76,450$76,660$65,120
10th percentile$61,420$61,710$49,350
25th percentile$65,170$64,600$59,710
75th percentile$96,580$97,770$80,280
90th percentile$102,440$103,680$103,010
Employment42011,610260,870
Location quotient1.48-1.00

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ metropolitan statistical area.

What the Numbers Say About This Market

The Atlantic City median of $76,450 is above the national median of $65,120, and below the New Jersey statewide median of $76,660 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

The metro’s location quotient of 1.48 means special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are more concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.

Special education positions exist in every district, and shortage-driven demand is broad rather than metro-concentrated - which favors candidates willing to work outside the largest markets.

Other New Jersey Metro Areas

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Trenton$77,240440
Vineland$70,120220

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.


Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Atlantic City?

The median annual wage for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ metro area is $76,450, above the national median of $65,120 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in the Atlantic City area?

The Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ metro area employs about 420 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Atlantic City need a license?

Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Teaching in a public school requires state certification, and the degree alone is not the license. Certification requirements, examinations and background checks are set state by state and change; special education adds its own endorsement in most states. Confirm current requirements with your state education agency for current certification requirements.

Can I study special education online from Atlantic City?

The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state education agency for current certification requirements.

Is Atlantic City a better market than the rest of New Jersey?

The Atlantic City metro median is $76,450 against a statewide median of $76,660 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School (SOC 25-2052), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.