2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
For return on investment in special education, no school beat Texas A And M International University this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,229 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $53,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $15,200 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $46,052 early in their careers. Set against $15,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,000. Special Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,548 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $19,277 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $49,087. Set against $19,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #7 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $55,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northern New Mexico College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,328 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $60,024. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #10 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $57,352. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas Womans University earned the #11 position for value in special education this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $57,313. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Santa Fe Community College earned the #12 position for value in special education this year. Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,851, while out-of-state students pay about $4,131. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,267. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Santa Fe Community College generally make around $43,742. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,819. Special Education graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $65,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
East Central University landed the #14 spot for special education value this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,840. Special Education graduates of East Central University earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. Set against $21,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Lamar University placed #15 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University placed #16 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,084. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #17 among the best values for special education. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $52,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northeastern State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,465. Special Education graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $46,045 early in their careers. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston landed the #19 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #20 position for value in special education this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $35,323. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $53,842. Set against $35,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #21 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $56,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #22 among the best values for special education. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $60,365 early in their careers. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northern Arizona University earned the #23 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,048. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
New Mexico Highlands University landed the #24 spot for special education value this year. New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,900. Early-career special education graduates make about $52,709. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #25 spot for special education value this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $56,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for special education this year:
Narrow Special Education Schools by State
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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
