[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general special education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 405 schools to find the best return on investment for general special education students.
Finding the Best Value General Special Education School for You
The right general special education school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Special Education Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
California State University San Bernardino tops our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools in the United States. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $83,983. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $79,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. 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. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $77,678. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College placed #6 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny City College landed the #7 spot for general special education value this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $76,836. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #8 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Lehman College placed #9 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Miami Dade College placed #10 among the best values for general special education. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,671 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,935. That is a strong return on a $9,671 median debt.
California State University Fresno placed #11 among the best values for general special education. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $71,787. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $68,093 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Florida placed #13 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,147. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University East Bay came in at #14 for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $77,402 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #15 among the best values for general special education. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $14,688. General 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. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #16 spot for general special education value this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $15,886. Early-career general special education graduates make about $74,460. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #17 spot for general special education value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $15,732. Early-career general special education graduates make about $77,631. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College earned the #18 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Daytona State College earned the #19 position for value in general special education this year. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $14,227. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $43,320. That is a strong return on a $14,227 median debt.
California State University Sacramento placed #20 among the best values for general special education. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $33,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University earned the #21 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $18,229 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,256. That is a strong return on a $18,229 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Santiago Canyon College placed #22 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University placed #24 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $22,709. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general special education this year:
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 · 405 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 405 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).
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general special education education at a price that pays off.
