2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in New Jersey
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
Our analysis ranked New Jersey City University the best value for a degree in special education in New Jersey. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,107. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $65,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Kean University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Kean University earn a median of $57,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #3 place for special education. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $69,017. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Saint Peters College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $59,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,644 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $62,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Students borrow a median of $24,014 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $62,864. Set against $24,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rowan University landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $66,244. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #8 among the best values for special education. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,120. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $64,297. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Rider University came in at #9 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,241. Special Education graduates of Rider University earn a median of $64,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #10 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,228 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $64,759. Set against $25,228 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Seton Hall University landed the #11 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,000. Early-career special education graduates make about $61,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Monmouth University landed the #12 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,847 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $62,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Felician College earned the #13 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Lodi, Felician College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,300. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,500. Early-career special education graduates make about $56,976. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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/) 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.
