2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
For return on investment in special education, no school beat Miami Dade College this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $9,671. Special Education graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $53,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,385. Special Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Medgar Evers College one of the best values for special education. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $49,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,709. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for special education. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Special Education graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $50,647. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Florida International University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $36,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $49,827 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Florida earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $13,509 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $47,734 early in their careers. Set against $13,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #9 among the best values for special education. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida landed the #10 spot for special education value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $48,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #11 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $24,145 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $38,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wyoming landed the #12 spot for special education value this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,283. Special Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,643. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #14 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $60,396 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Weber State University placed #15 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
Murray State University landed the #16 spot for special education value this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,775 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $36,197. Set against $20,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #17 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $42,967. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University landed the #18 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,452. Special Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $46,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Western Governors University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,158 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,271. That is a strong return on a $25,158 median debt.
Utah State University earned the #20 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $61,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #21 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,375. Early-career special education graduates make about $49,882. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #22 position for value in special education this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $17,600. Special Education graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $69,073 early in their careers. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Gwinnett College landed the #23 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,532, compared with $13,844 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,280 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Georgia Gwinnett College generally make around $55,992. That is a strong return on a $21,280 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
South Georgia State College earned the #24 position for value in special education this year. South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Douglas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,314, with out-of-state students paying around $10,274. Students borrow a median of $17,518 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $50,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Wayne College earned the #25 position for value in special education this year. Set in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,723 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,669. Early-career special education graduates make about $36,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Wayne College admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s special education value ranking:
Other Special Education Degree Levels
Explore the best-value special education schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1022 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 200 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.
[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.
