2027 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

[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.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general special education schools.
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2027 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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
Our analysis ranked Southern Utah University the best value for a degree in general special education in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Colorado Denver one of the best values for general special education. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,288. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #3 place for general special education. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $20,283. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Western Governors University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,158 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,380. That is a strong return on a $25,158 median debt.
Utah State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $18,125 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $61,474. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #6 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $50,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Utah placed #7 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $65,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #8 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,559. General Special Education graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $52,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana Western landed the #9 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,669, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. Students borrow a median of $22,484 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $36,924. That is a strong return on a $22,484 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University Billings came in at #10 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,280, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,465 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $48,764. Set against $25,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #11 among the best values for general special education. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Students borrow a median of $26,564 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $49,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Boise State University placed #12 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $26,675 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $46,171. That is a strong return on a $26,675 median debt. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,846. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $36,092 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $41,475. Set against $36,092 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Denver came in at #14 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.