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2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

60 Ranked Colleges
278 Degrees Awarded
$28,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 33,249 people earned their degree in special education, making the major the 39th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, special education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,879 and had an average of $28,500 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 278 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 60 colleges that offer a degree in special education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality special education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the special education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $0-$30k)

#1

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UF is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Special Education Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130.

Read full report on Special Education at UF

#2

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also took the #2 spot in our “Best Special Education Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at Vanderbilt University

#17 in overall quality

Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #3 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 1 doctorate’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Special Education Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on Special Education at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Special Education Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Read more about Special Education at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#5

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maryland - College Park landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in College Park, Maryland, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

UMCP not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Special Education Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at University of Maryland - College Park

#13 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 3 doctorate’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW Seattle has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Special Education Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at UW Seattle

#7

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#12 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IU Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 4 doctorate’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Special Education Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Special Education Report

University of California - Berkeley came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 5 doctorate’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Berkeley Special Education Report

Florida International University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211.

Full Florida International University Special Education Report

#10

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Special Education Report

#9 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s special ed degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Special Education Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036.

Read full report on Special Education at UIC

#12

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Special Education Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Georgia Special Education Report

#13

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

With a ranking of #13, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s special ed degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056.

Read full report on Special Education at Michigan State University

#14

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Washington State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Pullman, Washington, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington State University are $27,561, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at Washington State University

#15

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FAU are $18,482, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full FAU Special Education Report

#16

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

With a ranking of #16, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at UNT

#17

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas

Texas Woman’s University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas Woman’s University is a fairly large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 4 doctorate’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at TWU are $14,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at TWU

#18

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas Tech Special Education Report

#19

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this fairly large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are $21,918, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at UNC Greensboro

#20

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Boston University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 5 doctorate’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, Boston U has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Special Education Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston University are $57,666, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Boston U Special Education Report

#21

Utah State University

Logan, Utah
#21 in overall quality

Utah State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Utah State University is a large public school situated in Logan, Utah. It awarded 7 doctorate’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Special Education Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USU are $22,598, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Utah State University

University of Nevada - Las Vegas came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this large public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Nevada - Las Vegas Special Education Report

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Special Education Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886.

Read more about Special Education at UT Austin

#24

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana

With a ranking of #24, Ball State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ball State Special Education Report

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Mizzou Special Education Report

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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