by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value special education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania the best value for a degree in special education in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Holy Family University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,330. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $64,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Pennsylvania Western University, which ranked #3. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for special education. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $54,009. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Northampton County Area Community College one of the best values for special education. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,900. Early-career special education graduates make about $35,960. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in special education this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $44,273. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Special Education graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $48,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #8 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for special education value this year. Set in the rural area of Cheyney, Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,904, compared with $18,870 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,128.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earned the #10 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,512, with out-of-state students paying around $19,384. Special Education graduates carry a median of $30,959 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $55,626. Set against $30,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,737 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $51,664 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for special education value this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $50,645. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
La Salle University placed #13 among the best values for special education. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Special Education graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $48,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Wilson College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chambersburg. Students from in state pay about $27,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $34,814 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wilson College admits about 92% of applicants.
Thiel College landed the #16 spot for special education value this year. Thiel College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $38,344. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Thiel College generally make around $43,626. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #17 position for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,500. Special Education graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $53,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern University came in at #18 for value in special education this year. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $53,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Gwynedd Mercy College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,838. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,764 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $62,051. Set against $29,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gwynedd Mercy College admits about 90% of applicants.
Mercyhurst College landed the #20 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Alvernia University landed the #21 spot for special education value this year. Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,000. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $31,900. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Temple University earned the #22 position for value in special education this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $57,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Neumann University landed the #23 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Aston, Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,100. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Special Education graduates of Neumann University earn a median of $42,488 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary came in at #24 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $48,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Chestnut Hill College placed #25 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,870. Special Education graduates carry a median of $30,824 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $45,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s special education value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.