2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in special education in Florida. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Miami Dade College, which ranked #2. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $9,671. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,935. That is a strong return on a $9,671 median debt.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,147 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $49,081. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #5 place for special education. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,390. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #6 among the best values for special education. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,931. Special Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $46,866 early in their careers. Set against $22,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $51,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,509 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Florida State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,709. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Central Florida placed #10 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $53,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Broward College came in at #11 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,830 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,110 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Broward College earn a median of $49,262 early in their careers. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barry University placed #12 among the best values for special education. Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $34,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $31,180. Early-career special education graduates make about $64,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Southeastern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,950. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $39,595. Set against $23,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #14 position for value in special education this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Students from in state pay about $38,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $55,480. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.
Carlos Albizu University Miami came in at #15 for value in special education this year. Carlos Albizu University Miami is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,818. Special Education graduates of Carlos Albizu University Miami earn a median of $64,380 early in their careers. Carlos Albizu University Miami admits about 76% of applicants.
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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
