[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1022 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
Finding the Best Value Special Education School for You
The right special education school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Special Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Special Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $79,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $77,182. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for special education. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $83,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #4 place for special education. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $77,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #5. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $12,157. Early-career special education graduates make about $74,496. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College earned the #6 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $76,836. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #7 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $74,460 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Moorpark College placed #8 among the best values for special education. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #9 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,149. Special Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $13,213. Special Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $79,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #11 position for value in special education this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #12 for value in special education this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,598. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $71,787. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Miami Dade College came in at #13 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Special Education graduates carry a median of $9,671 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $53,935 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,671 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #14 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida came in at #15 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $17,669. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,147. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #16 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $68,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $77,631. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Saddleback College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $5,707. Early-career special education graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College came in at #19 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Special Education graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $75,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Pasadena City College landed the #21 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $9,191. Special Education graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Special Education graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College landed the #23 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University landed the #24 spot for special education value this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $18,229 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,256. That is a strong return on a $18,229 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Santiago Canyon College placed #25 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for special education this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1022 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 353 ranked schools only.
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).
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
