2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in New Jersey
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 New Jersey City University the best value for a degree in general special education in New Jersey. 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. General Special Education graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $65,141 early in their careers. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $57,320. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Montclair State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,286. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $69,017. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at William Paterson University Of New Jersey, which ranked #4. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,644. General Special Education graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $62,115 early in their careers. Set against $25,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Students borrow a median of $24,014 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $62,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Rowan University came in at #6 for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $66,244. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,120. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $64,297. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Rider University placed #8 among the best values for general special education. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Rider University earn a median of $64,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,241 median debt. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey placed #9 among the best values for general special education. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,228 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $64,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Seton Hall University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,000. General Special Education graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $61,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
Monmouth University landed the #11 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,847 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $62,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
Felician College earned the #12 position for value in general special education this year. Felician College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lodi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,300. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Felician College earn a median of $56,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general special education education at a price that pays off.
