2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in South Carolina
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
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2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Francis Marion University the best value for a degree in special education in South Carolina. Located in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,577 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $41,456. That is a strong return on a $30,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coastal Carolina University earned it the #2 place for special education. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $45,908 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Lander University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,064 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Lander University earn a median of $37,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,064 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Winthrop University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,717 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $46,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,717 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
College Of Charleston came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,025 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $39,832. That is a strong return on a $24,025 median debt. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Clemson University placed #6 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Columbia College South Carolina earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $28,158 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,339. That is a strong return on a $28,158 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #8 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
