2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Tennessee
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general special education schools.
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2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
Middle Tennessee State University tops our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools in Tennessee. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,493 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $44,052 early in their careers. Set against $18,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Memphis one of the best values for general special education. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,397. General Special Education graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $44,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,397 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $22,859. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at Lincoln Memorial University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,938 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $20,693. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $64,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt 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 Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $71,679. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University earned the #6 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Students borrow a median of $26,422 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Lee University earn a median of $38,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lipscomb University came in at #7 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,529. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,798. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
More General Special Education Rankings
View All General Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 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.
