[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 343 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
Our analysis ranked California State University Los Angeles the best value for a degree in special education in the United States. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $14,430. Early-career special education graduates make about $83,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,149. Special Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $77,182. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $77,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #5. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,525. Early-career special education graduates make about $79,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny City College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. 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. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $76,836. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College placed #8 among the best values for special education. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $75,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #9 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno placed #10 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #11 for value in special education this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $68,093. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #12 spot for special education value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $14,688. Early-career special education graduates make about $75,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University East Bay earned the #13 position for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,073. Special Education graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $77,402 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Texas A And M International University came in at #14 for value in special education this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,229. Special Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $58,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,229 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #15 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $74,460 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida ranked #16 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,732. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $77,631. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #18 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $33,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,277 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $49,087. Set against $19,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $14,694. Early-career special education graduates make about $55,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University earned the #21 position for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,031. Special Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $61,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University came in at #22 for value in special education this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #23 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $56,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #24 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,115. Special Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $73,322 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #25 spot for special education value this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Special Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Special Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in special education:
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 · 343 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 343 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/) 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.
