2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Murray State University the best value for a degree in special education in Kentucky. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,775. Early-career special education graduates make about $36,197. Set against $20,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #2. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,381 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $41,278. That is a strong return on a $28,381 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Morehead State University, which ranked #3. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. 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. Early-career special education graduates make about $36,999. That is a strong return on a $26,878 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for special education. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $41,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of The Cumberlands earned it the #5 place for special education. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Georgetown College landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Georgetown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,840. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,938. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgetown College admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Louisville earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $56,686. That is a strong return on a $21,910 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University landed the #8 spot for special education value this year. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,998. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $43,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,148 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
