2027 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Elementary Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/elementary-special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary special education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 38 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 Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. 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. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. 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. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $79,551. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in elementary special education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. 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. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $74,496. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #6 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $75,212. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #7 for value in elementary special education 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $24,145. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. That is a strong return on a $24,145 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $5,500. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $49,413 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College landed the #9 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #10 among the best values for elementary special education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $22,610 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $39,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Mercy College came in at #11 for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $61,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Towson University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $59,077. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $24,757. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $39,724. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #14 position for value in elementary special education this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Students from in state pay about $9,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $56,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Niagara University came in at #15 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #16 for value in elementary special education this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $63,285. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
St Francis College earned the #18 position for value in elementary special education this year. St Francis College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,775. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,966 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of St Francis College earn a median of $40,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,966 median debt.
La Salle University came in at #19 for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $48,302. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattanville College earned the #20 position for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,604. Students borrow a median of $25,372 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Manhattanville College generally make around $67,476. That is a strong return on a $25,372 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Suny At Binghamton placed #21 among the best values for elementary special education. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Suny College At Cortland came in at #22 for value in elementary special education 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,369 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $55,507. Set against $25,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Molloy College earned the #23 position for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,790. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Molloy College generally make around $53,653. That is a strong return on a $27,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Keuka College landed the #24 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the town of Keuka Park, Keuka College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,332. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Keuka College earn a median of $53,806 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Messiah College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Students borrow a median of $26,195 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $48,957. That is a strong return on a $26,195 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for elementary special education this year:
Narrow Elementary Special Education Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
