2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Colorado

[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value special education schools.
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2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Colorado
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 Metropolitan State College Of Denver, our #1 best value for special education in Colorado. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,027. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $39,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned it the #2 place for special education. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,559 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $52,083 early in their careers. Set against $23,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Western State College Of Colorado, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318, while out-of-state students pay about $24,434. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,455. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $36,712. Set against $23,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Fort Lewis College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,888. Special Education graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $30,676 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Northern Colorado is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,564 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $49,499 early in their careers. Set against $26,564 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #6 for value in special education this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,582. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,022. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Regis University came in at #7 for value in special education this year. Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $72,028. Set against $31,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regis University admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,846. Special Education graduates carry a median of $36,092 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $41,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,092 median debt.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.