2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Georgia

[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 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value special education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Georgia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
For return on investment in special education, no school beat Valdosta State University this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,661. Special Education graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $56,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,789. Early-career special education graduates make about $67,672. Set against $26,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Georgia Southwestern State University, which ranked #3. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $16,572. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,245. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Georgia Southwestern State University generally make around $52,428. Set against $28,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southwestern State University admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Augusta University earned it the #4 place for special education. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,745. Early-career special education graduates make about $56,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #5 place for special education. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the special education program here. 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.
Columbus State University came in at #6 for value in special education this year. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,493 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $56,177. That is a strong return on a $28,493 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Georgia Gwinnett College placed #9 among the best values for special education. Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,532, 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. That is a strong return on a $21,280 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Georgia State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $59,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Brenau University landed the #11 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,757. Students borrow a median of $36,299 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Brenau University generally make around $59,258. Set against $36,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Piedmont College earned the #12 position for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Demorest, Piedmont College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,700. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,975 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $52,567. That is a strong return on a $29,975 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia College And State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. Students from in state pay about $9,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $49,364 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia College And State University admits about 78% of applicants.
More Special Education Rankings
View All Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.