2027 Best Value Elementary Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Elementary Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/elementary-special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value elementary special education schools.
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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
Cuny Medgar Evers College tops our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools in the United States. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the elementary special education program here. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rhode Island College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $29,851 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $50,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $20,283. Elementary Special Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,610 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. Set against $22,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University came in at #7 for value in elementary special education this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Granite State College earned the #8 position for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,724, compared with $9,284 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $26,770. Elementary Special Education graduates of Granite State College earn a median of $54,169 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,770 median debt.
Towson University placed #9 among the best values for elementary special education. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $19,750. Elementary Special Education graduates of Towson University earn a median of $53,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #10 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $60,588. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #11 position for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University came in at #12 for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $53,815. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #13 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $47,017. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $37,229. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Wesleyan University earned the #15 position for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the suburb of Delaware, Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,248 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $26,868. Elementary Special Education graduates of Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of $31,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Wesleyan University admits about 56% of applicants.
Marietta College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,652. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Marietta College generally make around $79,641. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Cortland landed the #17 spot for elementary special education value this year. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. Students from in state pay about $8,874 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $25,369. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $55,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,369 median debt. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University placed #18 among the best values for elementary special education. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Students borrow a median of $35,455 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $44,304. That is a strong return on a $35,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Boise State University came in at #19 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $26,675. Elementary Special Education graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $42,303 early in their careers. Set against $26,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Grand Canyon University earned the #20 position for value in elementary special education this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Students borrow a median of $47,180 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $43,258 early in their careers. Set against $47,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Molloy College placed #21 among the best values for elementary special education. Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,790. Students borrow a median of $27,420 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $53,653 early in their careers. Set against $27,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Keuka College landed the #22 spot for elementary special education value this year. Set in the town of Keuka Park, Keuka College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,332 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Keuka College generally make around $53,806. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Keuka College admits about 68% of applicants.
Messiah College earned the #23 position for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $26,195. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $48,957. Set against $26,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Neumann University placed #24 among the best values for elementary special education. Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aston. Students from in state pay about $39,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Neumann University generally make around $42,488. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Neumann University admits about 81% of applicants.
Syracuse University earned the #25 position for value in elementary special education this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Special Education graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $55,881 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for elementary special education this year:
Other Elementary Special Education Degree Levels
Explore the best-value elementary special education schools at other degree levels:
View All Elementary Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
