2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Utah
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for special education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Utah
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 Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for special education in Utah. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $50,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Western Governors University one of the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,158. Special Education graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $51,380 early in their careers. Set against $25,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Weber State University one of the best values for special education. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah State University earned it the #4 place for special education. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $61,474. That is a strong return on a $18,125 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for special education. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $65,971 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #6 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $50,331 early in their careers. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
