2027 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools
[Elementary Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/elementary-special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary special education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary special education students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Elementary Special Education School for You
Where you study elementary special education affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for elementary special education in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $11,091. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $77,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in elementary special education will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $13,303. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $79,551. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for elementary special education. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $76,836. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for elementary special education. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $74,496. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #6 position for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $75,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #7 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $49,413. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Portland State University earned the #8 position for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $26,475. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in elementary special education this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $19,277. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $49,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #10 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $44,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,145 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Rhode Island College placed #11 among the best values for elementary special education. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,851 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $57,986 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,851 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #12 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $15,996. Elementary Special Education graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
University Of Wyoming landed the #13 spot for elementary special education value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $20,283. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Suny Empire State College landed the #14 spot for elementary special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #15 position for value in elementary special education this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $22,610. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Granite State College came in at #16 for value in elementary special education this year. Granite State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $7,724, while out-of-state students pay about $9,284. Students borrow a median of $26,770 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Granite State College earn a median of $54,169 early in their careers. Set against $26,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ball State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $54,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Mercy College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $28,304. Elementary Special Education graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Towson University earned the #19 position for value in elementary special education this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Towson University earn a median of $59,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #20 spot for elementary special education value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $60,588 early in their careers. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #21 for value in elementary special education this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $24,757. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $39,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary placed #22 among the best values for elementary special education. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $18,935. Elementary Special Education graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Set against $18,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University earned the #23 position for value in elementary special education this year. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,345. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $26,000. Elementary Special Education graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $53,815 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Students borrow a median of $24,217 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $56,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #25 for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in elementary special education:
Narrow Elementary Special Education Schools by Region
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Elementary Special Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
