2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Massachusetts
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
For return on investment in special education, no school beat Worcester State University this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $24,451 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $45,297. Set against $24,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Fitchburg State University one of the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,840. Special Education graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $59,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,872. Early-career special education graduates make about $49,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Bridgewater State University came in at #4 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $53,911 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the best values for special education. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $65,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Salem State University landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,176. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $58,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Westfield State University landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms placed #8 among the best values for special education. Located in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,325. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,854. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms generally make around $57,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University landed the #9 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 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 $59,238. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
American International College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $44,230. Special Education graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Simmons College came in at #11 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. 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. Set against $26,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Assumption College came in at #12 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. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,995. 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. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Regis College landed the #13 spot for special education value this year. Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Weston. In-state tuition and fees average $49,680. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,441. Early-career special education graduates make about $50,691. Set against $27,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Stonehill College came in at #14 for value in special education this year. Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. In-state tuition and fees average $56,370. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,603. Early-career special education graduates make about $45,704. Set against $25,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Lesley University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,256. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,818. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,625. That is a strong return on a $24,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Merrimack College landed the #16 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
Endicott College came in at #17 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,973 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $60,292 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,973 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Boston College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Boston College earn a median of $59,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
