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2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid

21 Ranked Colleges
355 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Special Education is the 39th most popular major in the country with 33,249 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in special education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great special education programs and cost less that 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Special Education in Tennessee (With Aid)

#1

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 #1 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid. Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Middle Tennessee State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $12,464 for tennessee special ed students with aid.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Special Education Report

#2

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Memphis. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid. UofM is a large public school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 62 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UofM, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UofM is $13,248 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid.

Full University of Memphis Special Education Report

#3

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tennessee Wesleyan University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid. Athens, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

TWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Tennessee Wesleyan University is $13,636 for tennessee special ed students with aid.

Read full report on Special Education at TWU

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Tennessee - Martin. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid. Located in Martin, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

UT Martin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $10,955 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Martin.

Full The University of Tennessee - Martin Special Education Report

#5

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tennessee Technological University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Tennessee Tech University is a fairly large school located in Cookeville, Tennessee that handed out 11 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Tennessee Tech University also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Tennessee Technological University is $15,929 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid.

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 full report on Special Education at Tennessee Technological University

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. The University of Tennessee - 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 $12,952 for tennessee special ed students with aid.

Read full report on Special Education at UT Chattanooga

#7

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

With a ranking of #7, East Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. ETSU is a fairly large public school situated in Johnson City, Tennessee. It awarded 24 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

ETSU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for East Tennessee State University is $14,332 for tennessee special ed students with aid.

Read more about Special Education at ETSU

#8

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

With a ranking of #8, Freed-Hardeman University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. FHU is a small school located in Henderson, Tennessee that handed out 14 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

FHU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $16,703 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid per year to attend Freed-Hardeman University.

Full Freed-Hardeman University Special Education Report

#9

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. 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 also took the #1 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $19,432 for tennessee special ed students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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 student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Vanderbilt University

#10

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid 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.

Lee University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $17,696 for tennessee special ed students with aid per year to attend Lee University.

Read full report on Special Education at Lee University

#11

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Austin Peay State University is a fairly large public school situated in Clarksville, Tennessee. It awarded 10 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Peay State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Austin Peay State University is $13,692 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid.

Read more about Special Education at Austin Peay State University

#12

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #12, Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Tennessee State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Tennessee State University is $12,443 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid.

Read full report on Special Education at Tennessee State University

#13

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee

Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TNU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend TNU is $17,499 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid.

Read more about Special Education at TNU

#14

Carson - Newman University

Jefferson City, Tennessee

With a ranking of #14, Carson - Newman University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. Carson - Newman is a small school located in Jefferson City, Tennessee that handed out 33 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Carson - Newman also took the #10 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $17,471 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid per year to attend Carson - Newman University.

Read full report on Special Education at Carson - Newman University

#15

Christian Brothers University

Memphis, Tennessee

Christian Brothers University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Christian Brothers is a small school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 5 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Christian Brothers also took the #17 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Christian Brothers is $11,900 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid.

Read more about Special Education at Christian Brothers

With a ranking of #16, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 26 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $18,825 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Special Education Report

#17

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee

Lincoln Memorial University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. LMU is a small school located in Harrogate, Tennessee that handed out 6 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

LMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for LMU is $15,180 for tennessee special ed students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.8% 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%.

Full LMU Special Education Report

#18

Tusculum University

Greeneville, Tennessee

Tusculum University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Greeneville, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee special ed students with aid list, Tusculum has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tusculum is $17,537 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid.

Full Tusculum Special Education Report

#19

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

Lipscomb University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lipscomb is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Lipscomb not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $24,749 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid per year to attend Lipscomb University.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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%.

Read more about Special Education at Lipscomb University

#20

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee

Union University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking. Union University is located in Jackson, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Union did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $28,249 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid per year to attend Union University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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.

Full Union University Special Education Report

#21

Cumberland University

Lebanon, Tennessee

Cumberland University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. CU 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 with aid list, CU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $24,458 for Tennessee Special Ed students with aid per year to attend Cumberland University.

Read full report on Special Education at Cumberland 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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