2027 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Iowa
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 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 Iowa
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 University Of Northern Iowa the best value for a degree in general special education in Iowa. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $60,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Buena Vista University earned it the #2 place for general special education. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,317 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Upper Iowa University earned it the #4 place for general special education. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,455 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
Dordt College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Sioux Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,050. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $21,812. Early-career general special education graduates make about $54,926. That is a strong return on a $21,812 median debt. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.
Northwestern College Iowa ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,415. Early-career general special education graduates make about $54,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Morningside College came in at #7 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,519. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,281. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $55,760. Set against $27,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
More General Special Education Rankings
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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 · 7 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.
