2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Miami Dade College earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $9,671 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Florida State University one of the best values for special education. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,709 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Set against $22,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,031. Special Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $49,081 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,385. Special Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of West Florida placed #6 among the best values for special education. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $51,390. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,931 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $46,866. That is a strong return on a $22,931 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of North Florida earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,509 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $51,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #9 for value in special education this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,313. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University placed #10 among the best values for special education. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,775. Early-career special education graduates make about $36,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #11 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,538. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #12 among the best values for special education. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $42,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Louisiana State University Alexandria generally make around $47,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Alexandria admits about 92% of applicants.
Marshall University came in at #14 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $46,511 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
South Georgia State College landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Located in the town of Douglas, South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, compared with $10,274 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,518 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from South Georgia State College generally make around $50,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Gwinnett College came in at #16 for value in special education this year. Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students from in state pay about $4,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,844. Students borrow a median of $21,280 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $55,992. Set against $21,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama came in at #17 for value in special education this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $54,447 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of The Cumberlands placed #18 among the best values for special education. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $43,283. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,381 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $41,278. That is a strong return on a $28,381 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Valdosta State University earned the #20 position for value in special education this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $56,492 early in their careers. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southwestern State University came in at #21 for value in special education this year. Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $16,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,245 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Georgia Southwestern State University earn a median of $52,428 early in their careers. Set against $28,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Morehead State University came in at #22 for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,878. Special Education graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $36,999 early in their careers. Set against $26,878 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University came in at #23 for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,485 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $41,376 early in their careers. Set against $20,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #24 among the best values for special education. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,250. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,506. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $41,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for special education this year:
Narrow Special Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 229 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 82 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
