2027 Best Value Special Education Associate’s Degree Schools
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value special education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $17,075. Special Education graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #2 place for special education. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. 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.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Santa Monica College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Santiago Canyon College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Special Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $9,191. Early-career special education graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
West Valley College came in at #7 for value in special education this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Saddleback College landed the #8 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #9 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $35,850. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College came in at #11 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Foothill College came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $11,595. Special Education graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College earned the #13 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #14 spot for special education value this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College Fresno earned the #15 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students.
Fullerton College came in at #16 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Palomar College landed the #17 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #18 for value in special education this year. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Butte College earned the #19 position for value in special education this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #20 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miracosta College placed #21 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,158, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,845 ten years out.
Norco College came in at #22 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the special education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Oakland Community College landed the #24 spot for special education value this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for special education this year:
Other Special Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Special Education rankings across degree levels:
View All Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
