2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Southeast 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
Miami Dade College earned the #1 spot for value among general special education schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $9,671 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $17,669. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,147. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $49,081 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $22,709. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. That is a strong return on a $22,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #5 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for general special education. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $48,218. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
The University Of West Florida landed the #6 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $51,390. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #7 for value in general special education this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $22,931. Early-career general special education graduates make about $46,866. Set against $22,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $13,509 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,534. That is a strong return on a $13,509 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #9 for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $21,620. General Special Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $53,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Murray State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $20,775. Early-career general special education graduates make about $36,197. That is a strong return on a $20,775 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $24,656. Early-career general special education graduates make about $47,702. Set against $24,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $51,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #13 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $42,967. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Marshall University earned the #14 position for value in general special education this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $46,511 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
South Georgia State College placed #15 among the best values for general special education. South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Douglas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,314, with out-of-state students paying around $10,274. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $17,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from South Georgia State College generally make around $50,931. Set against $17,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Gwinnett College earned the #16 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,532, while out-of-state students pay about $13,844. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,280 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Georgia Gwinnett College earn a median of $55,992 early in their careers. Set against $21,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #17 among the best values for general special education. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $28,381. General Special Education graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $41,278 early in their careers. Set against $28,381 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama placed #18 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $24,291. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $54,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #19 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $43,283. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Valdosta State University came in at #20 for value in general special education this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $28,661. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $56,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Morehead State University landed the #21 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $26,878 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $36,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southwestern State University earned the #22 position for value in general special education this year. Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,572. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $28,245. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Georgia Southwestern State University generally make around $52,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University placed #23 among the best values for general special education. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $20,485. General Special Education graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $41,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,485 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #24 position for value in general special education this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. General Special Education graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $41,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Georgia landed the #25 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $54,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general special education this year:
Narrow General Special Education Schools by State
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 · 197 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 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/) 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.
