2027 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general special education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 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 the The Plains States 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
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota tops our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools in the The Plains States Region. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $60,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chadron State College earned it the #2 place for general special education. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $47,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Hays State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $53,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Minot State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
A rank of #5 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $24,262. General Special Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $55,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Truman State University landed the #6 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,168. General Special Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,860 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $46,623. That is a strong return on a $22,860 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,459 early in their careers. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,819. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $57,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $41,190. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #11 among the best values for general special education. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,943. Early-career general special education graduates make about $52,350. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $18,387 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $51,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #13 among the best values for general special education. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $60,588. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earned the #14 position for value in general special education this year. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $7,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,051 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $47,316 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University landed the #15 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,669 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $52,368. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #16 for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $30,542 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Set against $30,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Northern State University earned the #17 position for value in general special education this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $45,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #18 for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $54,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #19 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $40,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University landed the #20 spot for general special education value this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $53,927. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Winona State University came in at #21 for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $46,697. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #22 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,250. Early-career general special education graduates make about $42,939. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #24 position for value in general special education this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $38,250 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #25 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $58,196 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value General Special Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general special education:
Narrow General Special Education Schools by State
More General Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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.
