2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Leading the list is Middle Tennessee State University, our #1 best value for special education in Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $18,493 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $44,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,397 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $44,664. Set against $23,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the best values for special education. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $49,826. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln Memorial University earned it the #4 place for special education. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,938 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $64,307. Set against $20,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Vanderbilt University earned it the #5 place for special education. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $71,679. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University came in at #6 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,422. Special Education graduates of Lee University earn a median of $38,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University came in at #7 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,529. Special Education graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $51,798 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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/) 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.
