2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Georgia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Our analysis ranked South Georgia State College the best value for a degree in special education in Georgia. Located in the town of Douglas, South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,314, while out-of-state students pay about $10,274. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $17,518. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from South Georgia State College generally make around $50,931. Set against $17,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Gwinnett College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,532, while out-of-state students pay about $13,844. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,280. Early-career special education graduates make about $55,992. That is a strong return on a $21,280 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $56,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Georgia Southwestern State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $16,572. Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,245 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $52,428. That is a strong return on a $28,245 median debt. Georgia Southwestern State University admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Columbus State University, which ranked #5. 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. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,493. 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.
University Of Georgia earned the #6 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $54,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University placed #7 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,745 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $56,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $67,672. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Georgia State University placed #9 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,091. Early-career special education graduates make about $59,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Shorter University placed #10 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Rome, Shorter University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,630. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $31,037. Special Education graduates of Shorter University earn a median of $44,407 early in their careers. Set against $31,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Students borrow a median of $23,687 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. That is a strong return on a $23,687 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,186, compared with $29,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,000. Special Education graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $49,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Brenau University landed the #13 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,757. Special Education graduates carry a median of $36,299 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Brenau University earn a median of $59,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,299 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Piedmont College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Demorest, Piedmont College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,700. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,975. Early-career special education graduates make about $52,567. Set against $29,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 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/) 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.
