2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Indiana
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
For return on investment in special education, no school beat Indiana University South Bend this year. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $47,733. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #2 makes Vincennes University one of the best values for special education. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,710. Special Education graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $39,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,710 median debt.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,276 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $48,773. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $51,306. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,096. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #6 among the best values for special education. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Special Education graduates carry a median of $32,807 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $53,752 early in their careers. Set against $32,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,460. Students borrow a median of $27,520 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $57,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne admits about 96% of applicants.
Trine University earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,560. Students borrow a median of $25,765 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Trine University earn a median of $54,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,765 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Mary Of The Woods College came in at #9 for value in special education this year. Located in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods, Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,240. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,773 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $39,776. Set against $27,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
