[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 316 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general special education schools.
Leading the list is California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for general special education in the United States. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for general special education. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $14,430. 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $79,384. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #4 place for general special education. 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 general special education graduates is $11,091. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $77,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $41,847. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College earned the #7 position for value in general special education 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, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general 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.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #8 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
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. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #10 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $15,598. General Special Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $71,787 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge earned the #11 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $68,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University East Bay ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $18,073. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $77,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #13 spot for general special education value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $75,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #14 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $74,460. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #15 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $77,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida earned the #16 position for value in general special education this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Sacramento placed #17 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $33,783 early in their careers. 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 came in at #18 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $18,229. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $58,691. That is a strong return on a $18,229 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,277 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $49,087. That is a strong return on a $19,277 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Florida International University earned the #20 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $20,031. General Special Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $61,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #21 among the best values for general special education. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $55,668. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Southern Utah University earned the #22 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $12,886. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $20,115. General Special Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $73,322 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #24 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $20,212. Early-career general special education graduates make about $56,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #25 position for value in general special education this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $58,038. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general special education this year:
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 · 316 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 316 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
