2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Old Dominion University earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in Virginia. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,351. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #2. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $62,342. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,514. Special Education graduates of Radford University earn a median of $50,536 early in their careers. Set against $25,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Mary Baldwin College one of the best values for special education. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,187. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,562 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $60,386 early in their careers. Set against $29,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the best values for special education. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $52,470. Set against $23,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Regent University placed #6 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $53,714. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Lynchburg College came in at #7 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,750 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Lynchburg College generally make around $107,159. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,218. Early-career special education graduates make about $56,055. Set against $21,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
College Of William And Mary came in at #9 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,935. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Averett University placed #10 among the best values for special education. Averett University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,550. Students borrow a median of $28,595 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,876. Set against $28,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
