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2022 Best Value Colleges for Special Education (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

21 Ranked Colleges
355 Degrees Awarded
$12,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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.

Across Tennessee, there were 355 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,620 and $23,730 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the special education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Special Education (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 80 students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $3,156 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Vanderbilt University.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Vanderbilt

#2

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tennessee Wesleyan University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. TWU is a small school located in Athens, Tennessee that handed out 5 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

TWU also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend TWU is $10,002 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Special Education at Tennessee Wesleyan University

#3

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Middle Tennessee State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. Middle Tennessee State University is a large school located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that handed out 17 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Middle Tennessee State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $8,919 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Special Education Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

UT Chattanooga did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is $8,108 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UT Chattanooga Special Education Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Knoxville is a large school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 26 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Knoxville has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $10,224 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Special Education at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

#6

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #6, Tennessee Technological University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cookeville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tennessee Tech University, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tennessee Technological University is $11,641 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Tennessee Tech University

#7

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 62 students in 2019-2020.

UofM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Memphis is $10,256 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Special Education at UofM

The University of Tennessee - Martin came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UT Martin is a medium-sized school located in Martin, Tennessee that handed out 1 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Martin also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Tennessee - Martin is $7,524 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full The University of Tennessee - Martin Special Education Report

#9

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. ETSU is a public institution located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ETSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $10,632 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Tennessee State University.

Full East Tennessee State University Special Education Report

#10

Christian Brothers University

Memphis, Tennessee

Christian Brothers University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 5 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Christian Brothers, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $9,496 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Christian Brothers.

Read full report on Special Education at Christian Brothers

#11

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee

Lincoln Memorial University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Harrogate, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

LMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $9,736 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lincoln Memorial University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Lincoln Memorial University

#12

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

Freed-Hardeman University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. FHU is a small school located in Henderson, Tennessee that handed out 14 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

FHU also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend FHU is $13,512 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Special Education at FHU

#13

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee

Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Trevecca Nazarene University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

TNU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for TNU is $15,228 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Special Education at Trevecca Nazarene University

#14

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, and it awarded 10 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Austin Peay State University, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $10,909 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Austin Peay State University.

Read full report on Special Education at Austin Peay State University

#15

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lee University, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lee University is $13,841 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Special Education at Lee University

#16

Carson - Newman University

Jefferson City, Tennessee

Carson - Newman University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Carson - Newman University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Jefferson City, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carson - Newman, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $14,686 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carson - Newman University.

Full Carson - Newman Special Education Report

#17

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tennessee State University, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Tennessee State University is $11,015 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Special Education at Tennessee State University

#18

Tusculum University

Greeneville, Tennessee

Tusculum University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Greeneville, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tusculum, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tusculum is $13,752 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Tusculum University Special Education Report

#19

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #19, Lipscomb University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lipscomb University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 27 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Lipscomb did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Lipscomb University is $20,036 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Special Education at Lipscomb

#20

Cumberland University

Lebanon, Tennessee

With a ranking of #20, Cumberland University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cumberland University is located in Lebanon, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, CU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $21,979 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cumberland University.

Read more about Special Education at CU

#21

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee

Union University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Union University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Jackson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Union not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Union University is $26,079 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Special Education at Union University

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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