2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Arizona
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for special education students.
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2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Arizona
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Pima Community College earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in Arizona. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,200 in student loans. 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.
University Of Phoenix Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete the special education program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,375. 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%.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for special education. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $54,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for special education. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $44,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University came in at #6 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Special Education graduates carry a median of $47,180 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $48,745 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $47,180 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 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.
