2027 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 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 the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
For return on investment in general special education, no school beat Texas A And M International University this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $18,229 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $53,256 early in their careers. Set against $18,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for general special education. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $55,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $19,277. Early-career general special education graduates make about $49,087. That is a strong return on a $19,277 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Northern New Mexico College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #7 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $60,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for general special education. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $46,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University came in at #9 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $60,177. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Western New Mexico University came in at #10 for value in general special education this year. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,425. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #11 spot for general special education value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $19,819. Early-career general special education graduates make about $65,786. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Fe Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,851, while out-of-state students pay about $4,131. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $15,267. Early-career general special education graduates make about $43,742. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central University earned the #13 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $21,840. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $42,103. That is a strong return on a $21,840 median debt. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
Midwestern State University came in at #14 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $60,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas Womans University earned the #15 position for value in general special education this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $57,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #16 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $57,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,771 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #17 for value in general special education this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $57,352 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #18 spot for general special education value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $56,835. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University came in at #20 for value in general special education this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $54,048. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Sul Ross State University earned the #21 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,592, compared with $17,672 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $18,951. General Special Education graduates of Sul Ross State University earn a median of $58,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $53,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $21,255. Early-career general special education graduates make about $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Arizona State University placed #24 among the best values for general special education. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $52,899. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $56,375 early in their careers. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value General Special Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general special education value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
