2027 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools in Iowa
[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 3 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 Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the elementary special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of Northern Iowa, our #1 best value for elementary special education in Iowa. 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. 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%.
Students looking for strong value in elementary special education will find it at Buena Vista University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $44,780. That is a strong return on a $29,317 median debt. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Upper Iowa University earned it the #3 place for elementary special education. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $35,455. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $50,052. Set against $35,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
More Elementary Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
