2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Miami Dade College the best value for a degree in general special education in the United States. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $9,671 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,709 in student loans. 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. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for general special education. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $36,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
St Petersburg College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned it the #5 place for general special education. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $49,827. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Florida ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $13,509 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $47,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #7 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $48,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #8 among the best values for general special education. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $24,145 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $38,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #9 for value in general special education this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $16,500. General Special Education graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $60,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Weber State University landed the #10 spot for general special education value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
The University Of West Florida ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $46,643. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Northern Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $21,452. General Special Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $46,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Murray State University earned the #13 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $20,775 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $36,197 early in their careers. Set against $20,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #14 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,967 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Governors University landed the #15 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Students borrow a median of $25,158 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $46,271. That is a strong return on a $25,158 median debt.
Utah State University came in at #16 for value in general special education this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $18,125. General Special Education graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $61,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,125 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #17 spot for general special education value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $49,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #18 spot for general special education value this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $69,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Georgia Gwinnett College came in at #19 for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,532, while out-of-state students pay about $13,844. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,280 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $55,992. Set against $21,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #20 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,860 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $37,998 early in their careers. Set against $22,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Rhode Island College placed #21 among the best values for general special education. 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 general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $50,060. That is a strong return on a $29,851 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
South Georgia State College came in at #22 for value in general special education this year. South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Douglas. Students from in state pay about $3,314 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,274 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $17,518 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of South Georgia State College earn a median of $50,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Georgia ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $43,137 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Vincennes University placed #24 among the best values for general special education. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Students borrow a median of $21,710 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $39,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,710 median debt.
Holy Family University placed #25 among the best values for general special education. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,562. General Special Education graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $64,967 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general special education this year:
Other General Special Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Special Education rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 813 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 145 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.
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
