2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Pennsylvania
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for special education students.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Holy Family University the best value for a degree in special education in Pennsylvania. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,562. Special Education graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $64,967 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for special education. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Early-career special education graduates make about $50,527. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $44,273 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,009. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Waynesburg University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Waynesburg University generally make around $55,588. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #6 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $44,222. That is a strong return on a $28,263 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
La Salle University placed #7 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,302. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,384. Special Education graduates carry a median of $30,959 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $55,626. That is a strong return on a $30,959 median debt. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania admits about 66% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #9 position for value in special education this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,062. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $59,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Mercyhurst College placed #11 among the best values for special education. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $45,770. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Special Education graduates of Mercyhurst College earn a median of $48,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $50,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Gannon University landed the #13 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #14 position for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,737. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $51,664. Set against $29,737 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Wilson College landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Chambersburg, Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,100. Students borrow a median of $34,814 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Wilson College earn a median of $58,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best values for special education. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Kings College came in at #17 for value in special education this year. Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,100. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Kings College earn a median of $45,414 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,980 median debt. Kings College admits about 93% of applicants.
Thiel College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Greenville, Thiel College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,344. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Thiel College earn a median of $43,626 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Francis University came in at #19 for value in special education this year. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,388 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,729 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Saint Francis University generally make around $63,097. Set against $30,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #20 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,293. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Messiah College placed #21 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,240. Students borrow a median of $26,195 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern University placed #22 among the best values for special education. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,400. Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,584 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Eastern University generally make around $53,901. That is a strong return on a $28,584 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Gwynedd Mercy College earned the #23 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,838. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,764. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Gwynedd Mercy College generally make around $62,051. Set against $29,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Neumann University earned the #24 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Aston, Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $42,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Temple University earned the #25 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,259. Early-career special education graduates make about $57,286. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
