2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in New York
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 68 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value special education schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in New York
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 Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in special education in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $11,091. Special Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $77,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $77,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for special education. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $76,836 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $79,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Special Education graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $74,496 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #6 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $14,688. Early-career special education graduates make about $75,212. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $38,978 early in their careers. Set against $24,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #8 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the special education program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny Empire State College landed the #9 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercy College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,304. Special Education graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia earned the #11 position for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $53,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,610 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $35,330. Set against $22,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Monroe College Main Campus came in at #13 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,464. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,701. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Monroe College Main Campus generally make around $40,329. Set against $20,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Suny College At Brockport placed #14 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,757. Special Education graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,163 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $41,899 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,163 median debt. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh landed the #16 spot for special education value this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $56,109 early in their careers. Set against $24,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Daemen College earned the #17 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,218. Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,358 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $63,542 early in their careers. Set against $28,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Daemen College admits about 68% of applicants.
Saint Josephs College New York landed the #18 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,124. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Josephs College New York admits about 72% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #19 for value in special education this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,530. Special Education graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $63,285 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo earned the #20 position for value in special education this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $37,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
Suny At Albany ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $58,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Canisius College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,200. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,673. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $52,453. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Niagara University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. In-state tuition and fees average $39,345. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $53,815 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
Suny College At Cortland came in at #24 for value in special education this year. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Students borrow a median of $25,369 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $55,507. That is a strong return on a $25,369 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
College Of Mount Saint Vincent placed #25 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Bronx, College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,540. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,385 in student loans. Special Education graduates of College Of Mount Saint Vincent earn a median of $58,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,385 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Special Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in special education:
More Special Education Rankings
View All Special Education Rankings >
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 · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
