2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Iowa
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Iowa
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Northern Iowa the best value for a degree in special education in Iowa. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $60,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Buena Vista University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,317 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $44,780. Set against $29,317 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Upper Iowa University, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,455 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $50,052 early in their careers. Set against $35,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
Dordt College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,050. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.
Northwestern College Iowa landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,415. Special Education graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Morningside College landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,519. Students borrow a median of $27,281 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $55,760. That is a strong return on a $27,281 median debt. Morningside College admits about 71% of applicants.
More Special Education Rankings
View All Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
