2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 148 schools to find the best return on investment for general special education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for general special education in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for general special education. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $12,157. Early-career general special education graduates make about $41,847. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for general special education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. 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 $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $54,729. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $75,212. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #7 for value in general special education this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $24,145. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $38,978. Set against $24,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University landed the #8 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $69,017 early in their careers. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kean University came in at #9 for value in general special education this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Kean University earn a median of $57,320 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Suny Empire State College placed #10 among the best values for general special education. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general 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.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #11 for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $67,390. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University landed the #12 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $22,107. Early-career general special education graduates make about $65,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Holy Family University landed the #13 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,330. Students borrow a median of $26,562 to complete the general special education program here. 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University earned the #14 position for value in general special education this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $19,750. Early-career general special education graduates make about $59,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #15 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
University Of Delaware came in at #16 for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $59,316. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Johns Hopkins University placed #17 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $84,850. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Wilmington University earned the #18 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,054. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $63,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #19 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $22,610. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $35,330. Set against $22,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College came in at #20 for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $61,432. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $54,009. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,000. General Special Education graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $53,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #23 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $24,757. Early-career general special education graduates make about $39,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $62,115. Set against $25,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania earned the #25 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the rural area of Cheyney, Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,904, compared with $18,870 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates of Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $28,128 early in their careers.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Special Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general special education value ranking:
Narrow General Special Education Schools by State
More General Special Education Rankings
View All General Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 148 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
