2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Maryland
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in Maryland. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $67,390 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Towson University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $59,077. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $68,814. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Bowie State University, which ranked #4. Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bowie. In-state tuition and fees average $9,218, while out-of-state students pay about $19,938. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,474. Special Education graduates of Bowie State University earn a median of $47,668 early in their careers. Set against $28,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Mcdaniel College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,081. Students borrow a median of $23,247 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Mcdaniel College generally make around $62,934. Set against $23,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Hood College came in at #6 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,700. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,703 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Hood College earn a median of $59,332 early in their careers. Set against $24,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland placed #7 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,360. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland generally make around $64,018. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.