[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 494 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for special education students.
Finding the Best Value Special Education School for You
The special education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Special Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Special Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $83,983. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $77,182. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #4 place for special education. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #5 place for special education. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, 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. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $13,389. Special Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $76,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #7 for value in special education this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $74,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $13,213. Early-career special education graduates make about $79,551. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #9 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Moorpark College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College placed #11 among the best values for special education. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,671 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $53,935. That is a strong return on a $9,671 median debt.
California State University Fresno placed #12 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $71,787 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge placed #13 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. Special Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $68,093 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #15 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. 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. Special Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $75,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College earned the #16 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Special Education graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $50,647 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Santa Monica College landed the #19 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
California State University East Bay placed #20 among the best values for special education. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $77,402. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Texas A And M International University placed #21 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,229 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $53,256. That is a strong return on a $18,229 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Santiago Canyon College placed #22 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College placed #24 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $14,308. Early-career special education graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,886. 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%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s special education value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 494 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 494 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
