2027 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Pennsylvania
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for general special education students.
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2027 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Holy Family University, our #1 best value for general special education in Pennsylvania. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $64,967. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for general special education. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $44,273 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for general special education. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $54,009 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Waynesburg University one of the best values for general special education. Located in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Waynesburg University earn a median of $55,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
La Salle University placed #6 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $48,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #7 among the best values for general special education. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $44,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot for general special education value this year. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the suburb of Lincoln University. Students from in state pay about $12,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $30,959. Early-career general special education graduates make about $55,626. That is a strong return on a $30,959 median debt. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania admits about 66% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #9 spot for general special education value this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,062. General Special Education graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $59,658 early in their careers. Set against $26,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best values for general special education. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $48,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Mercyhurst College landed the #11 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Mercyhurst College generally make around $48,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $50,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Gannon University placed #13 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,656 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,934. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $73,658. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot for general special education value this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,737 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $51,664. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Wilson College earned the #15 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Chambersburg, Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,100. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $34,814. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Wilson College generally make around $58,020. Set against $34,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Kings College came in at #17 for value in general special education this year. Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Students from in state pay about $44,100 in tuition and fees. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $45,414. That is a strong return on a $26,980 median debt. Kings College admits about 93% of applicants.
Saint Francis University landed the #18 spot for general special education value this year. Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Loretto. Students from in state pay about $26,388 in tuition and fees. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $30,729 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Saint Francis University earn a median of $63,097 early in their careers. Set against $30,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among the best values for general special education. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $28,500. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,293. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Eastern University came in at #20 for value in general special education this year. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,400. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,584 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $53,901 early in their careers. Set against $28,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Gwynedd Mercy College came in at #21 for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,838. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,764 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $62,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Temple University placed #22 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,259. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $57,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Chestnut Hill College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Chestnut Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,870. Students borrow a median of $30,824 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Chestnut Hill College earn a median of $45,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,824 median debt. Chestnut Hill College admits about 74% of applicants.
Arcadia University placed #24 among the best values for general special education. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,610. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,921 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $46,764. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Saint Josephs University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,260. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,643. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
