by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 4 schools to find the best return on investment for general special education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general special education, no school beat Chadron State College this year. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $22,912. Early-career general special education graduates make about $47,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $22,860. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $46,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at University Of Nebraska At Kearney, which ranked #3. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. 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. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #4 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. Early-career general special education graduates make about $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.