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2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

518 Ranked Colleges
19,550 Degrees Awarded
$23,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master's For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 19,550 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 518 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in special education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality special education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the special education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The special ed school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree special ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $48-$75k)

#1

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

Out of the 518 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 19 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425.

Read more about Special Education at Johns Hopkins University

#2

McDaniel College

Westminster, Maryland

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend McDaniel College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k. McDaniel College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Westminster, Maryland. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at McDaniel College are $9,568, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full McDaniel College Special Education Report

#3

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 55 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Vanderbilt

#4

Hunter College

New York, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Hunter College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 315 students in 2019-2020.

Hunter also took the #5 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hunter College are $20,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Hunter Special Education Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 73 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also claimed a top spot on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at Cal State LA

#6

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York

With a ranking of #6, Brooklyn College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Brooklyn College is a fairly large school located in Brooklyn, New York that handed out 171 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Brooklyn College also took the #11 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brooklyn College are $20,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at Brooklyn College

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UW Seattle is also in the top of our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at UW Seattle

#8

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

UF also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at UF

#9

The City College of New York

New York, New York

The City College of New York came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in New York, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 54 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, CCNY is also in the top of our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at The City College of New York are $20,832, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The City College of New York Special Education Report

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school handed out 82 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at UT Rio Grande Valley

#11

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. The University of West Florida is a public institution located in Pensacola, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 137 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UWF are $24,894.

Full UWF Special Education Report

#12

Queens College

Queens, New York

Queens College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Queens, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 62 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, QC is also in the top of our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at QC are $21,042.

Read full report on Special Education at QC

Texas A&M International University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Texas A&M International University is a public institution located in Laredo, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M International University are $15,106.

Read more about Special Education at Texas A&M International University

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 28 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581.

Read full report on Special Education at Fresno State

Florida International University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. FIU is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 65 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Florida International University

California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 11 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUDH are $17,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at California State University - Dominguez Hills

Top 10% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 11 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UW - Madison also did well on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on Special Education at UW - Madison

#18

Lehman College

Bronx, New York

Lehman College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Lehman is a fairly large school located in Bronx, New York that handed out 48 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Lehman excels when it comes to special ed quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lehman College are $21,000.

Read more about Special Education at Lehman College

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at California State University - Long Beach

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 8 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UIUC is also in the top of our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Special Education Report

#21

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. California State University - San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 62 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at CSUSB

#22

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Central Florida is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 43 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Florida are $28,657, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at University of Central Florida

California State University - Northridge came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 38 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955.

Read full report on Special Education at California State University - Northridge

#24

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, New York

College of Staten Island CUNY landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Staten Island, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 46 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSI are $21,080, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at College of Staten Island CUNY

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is a medium-sized school located in Odessa, Texas that handed out 94 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin are $6,900.

Read full report on Special Education at UT Permian Basin

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#27

St. Joseph's College - New York

Brooklyn, New York
#31

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#33

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah
#34

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#35

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas
#36

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#38

University of St. Thomas

Houston, Texas
#40

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida
#42

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida
#44

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#45

Holy Family University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#46

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota
#47

Rhode Island College

Providence, Rhode Island
#49

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
#50

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
52 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI
53 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
54 Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA
55 Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
56 Boston University Boston, MA
57 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
58 University of Houston Houston, TX
59 Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Mansfield, PA
60 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
61 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
62 Arizona State University - Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
62 Truman State University Kirksville, MO
63 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
64 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
Rank College Location
65 University of Delaware Newark, DE
66 Washington State University Pullman, WA
67 Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL
68 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
69 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
70 Towson University Towson, MD
71 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
72 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
72 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
74 University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK
75 The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX
76 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
77 University of North Texas Denton, TX
77 University of Wisconsin - Superior Superior, WI

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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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