2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Oklahoma
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for special education students.
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2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Oklahoma
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Southeastern Oklahoma State University tops our 2026 list of the best value special education schools in Oklahoma. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,660. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
East Central University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,840 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $42,103. That is a strong return on a $21,840 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Northeastern State University, which ranked #3. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $46,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
More Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
