2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Leading the list is Worcester State University, our #1 best value for special education in the New England Region. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,451 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $45,297. Set against $24,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Rhode Island earned it the #2 place for special education. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,940 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $39,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rhode Island College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,851. Special Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $57,986 early in their careers. Set against $29,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Fitchburg State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,840 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $59,740. Set against $25,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,593. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $53,572. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University placed #6 among the best values for special education. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $60,665 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,340 median debt. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
Framingham State University landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,872. Special Education graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $49,006 early in their careers. Set against $25,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,911. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $65,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Granite State College earned the #10 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,724 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,284. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,935. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Granite State College generally make around $55,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salem State University came in at #11 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $49,410. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University came in at #13 for value in special education this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $48,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Plymouth State University placed #14 among the best values for special education. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,972 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $45,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Vermont landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,607. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $52,580. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Connecticut earned the #16 position for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. Set against $23,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #17 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #18 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,325. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms generally make around $57,569. That is a strong return on a $27,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Boston University earned the #19 position for value in special education this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $59,238. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
American International College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,230 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,590. Set against $30,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Simmons College earned the #21 position for value in special education this year. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $46,874 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,740. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $58,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.
Saint Joseph College came in at #22 for value in special education this year. Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,278. Students borrow a median of $27,798 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $56,400. That is a strong return on a $27,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Assumption College earned the #23 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,356. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Assumption College earn a median of $55,180 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,995 median debt. Assumption College admits about 83% of applicants.
Regis College landed the #24 spot for special education value this year. Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Weston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,680. Students borrow a median of $27,441 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $50,691. That is a strong return on a $27,441 median debt. Regis College admits about 70% of applicants.
Stonehill College earned the #25 position for value in special education this year. Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,370. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,603. Special Education graduates of Stonehill College earn a median of $45,704 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,603 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s special education value ranking:
Narrow Special Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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/) 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.
