2027 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools in New York
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary special education students.
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2027 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools in New York
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 earned the #1 spot for value among elementary special education schools in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $77,182. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $13,303. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $13,213. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $79,551 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $76,836. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $74,496. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $75,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #7 spot for elementary special education value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Suny Empire State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $22,610. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College came in at #11 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $61,432. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #12 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #13 for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, 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. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University placed #14 among the best values for elementary special education. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #15 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $63,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $23,250. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $37,229. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
St Francis College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. 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. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $24,966. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from St Francis College generally make around $40,678. Set against $24,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Manhattanville College landed the #18 spot for elementary special education value this year. Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Purchase. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,604. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,372 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $67,476. That is a strong return on a $25,372 median debt. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #19 position for value in elementary special education this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $20,691. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Suny College At Cortland ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $25,369. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $55,507. That is a strong return on a $25,369 median debt. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Keuka College came in at #21 for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the town of Keuka Park, Keuka College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,332. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $53,806. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Keuka College admits about 68% of applicants.
Molloy College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Iona College placed #23 among the best values for elementary special education. Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Rochelle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,260. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $25,745. Elementary Special Education graduates of Iona College earn a median of $51,530 early in their careers. Set against $25,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Rochester placed #24 among the best values for elementary special education. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $21,517. Elementary Special Education graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan College Of New York landed the #25 spot for elementary special education value this year. Metropolitan College Of New York is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $20,188 in tuition and fees. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $42,218 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Metropolitan College Of New York earn a median of $49,765 early in their careers. Set against $42,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan College Of New York admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary special education value ranking:
More Elementary Special Education Rankings
View All Elementary Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
