2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Louisiana
[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.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value special education schools.
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2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Louisiana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Louisiana State University Alexandria earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in Louisiana. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $47,702. Set against $24,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University Alexandria admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nicholls State University earned it the #2 place for special education. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,513 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Nicholls State University earn a median of $43,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,513 median debt. Nicholls State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,061 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $49,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
More Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
