2027 Best Value Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 180 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
Leading the list is Miami Dade College, our #1 best value for special education in the United States. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Special Education graduates carry a median of $9,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $53,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #2. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $16,478. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Daytona State College one of the best values for special education. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,227 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,320. Set against $14,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Cuny Medgar Evers College, which ranked #4. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $49,413. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State University one of the best values for special education. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $22,709 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. That is a strong return on a $22,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #6 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Special Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $49,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Florida International University came in at #7 for value in special education this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the special education program here. 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. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida placed #8 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $13,509. Special Education graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $47,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #9 position for value in special education this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,620. Special Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $48,147 early in their careers. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Portland State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $56,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #11 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. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,252. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $24,145 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $38,978. That is a strong return on a $24,145 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rhode Island College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,851. Special Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $50,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,775. Special Education graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $36,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,775 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,000. Special Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,967 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of West Florida placed #16 among the best values for special education. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $46,643 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,610 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $16,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #18 among the best values for special education. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $18,925 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon landed the #19 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,284. Special Education graduates carry a median of $5,250 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earn a median of $9,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon admits about 35% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University placed #20 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,452 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Chadron State College came in at #21 for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $47,254. Set against $22,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wyoming landed the #22 spot for special education value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #23 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,000. Special Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $43,137 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,878 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $36,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,878 median debt. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Western Governors University placed #25 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,158. Special Education graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $46,271 early in their careers. Set against $25,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
View All Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 180 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 180 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.
