2027 Best Value General Special Education Schools in New York

[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general special education students.
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2027 Best Value General Special Education Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for general special education in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $77,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $76,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for general special education. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #6 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $14,688. Early-career general special education graduates make about $75,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #9 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $22,610 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $35,330. Set against $22,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Mercy College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. 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. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College At Potsdam came in at #11 for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,540 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia placed #12 among the best values for general special education. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. 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 landed the #13 spot for general special education value this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $39,724. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany placed #14 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #15 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $24,217. Early-career general special education graduates make about $56,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
Daemen College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,218. Students borrow a median of $28,358 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $63,542 early in their careers. Set against $28,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University earned the #17 position for value in general special education this year. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,345. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $53,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $21,530. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $41,000. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College New York came in at #19 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. Early-career general special education graduates make about $46,124. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Josephs College New York admits about 72% of applicants.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College landed the #20 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,450. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Saint Thomas Aquinas College generally make around $64,804. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #21 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $55,764 early in their careers. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
College Of Mount Saint Vincent came in at #22 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Bronx, College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,540. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,385. General Special Education graduates of College Of Mount Saint Vincent earn a median of $58,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,385 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Mount Saint Mary College came in at #23 for value in general special education this year. Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newburgh. Students from in state pay about $43,450 in tuition and fees. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Mount Saint Mary College earn a median of $65,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Roberts Wesleyan College earned the #24 position for value in general special education this year. Roberts Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $38,826 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Roberts Wesleyan College generally make around $48,979. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Manhattan College landed the #25 spot for general special education value this year. Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. Students from in state pay about $53,400 in tuition and fees. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,329 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Manhattan College generally make around $76,455. Set against $26,329 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value General Special Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general special education:
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), 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.