by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value special education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in special education, no school beat Saint Cloud State University this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,250. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,459. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for special education. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,387 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $51,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bemidji State University earned it the #3 place for special education. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,819 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $57,616. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Southwest Minnesota State University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Students borrow a median of $30,542 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
A rank of #5 makes Concordia University Saint Paul one of the best values for special education. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,026. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $59,263. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Students borrow a median of $24,447 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $57,948. That is a strong return on a $24,447 median debt. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Winona State University came in at #7 for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $46,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University landed the #8 spot for special education value this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $35,998. Special Education graduates of Capella University earn a median of $54,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #9 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,963. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,506. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $58,812. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.