2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Missouri
[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.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value special education schools.
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2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Missouri
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 Truman State University the best value for a degree in special education in Missouri. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,168. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $52,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $40,281 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $30,051. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $47,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $41,321. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri placed #6 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $41,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #7 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,500. Special Education graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $38,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,663. Early-career special education graduates make about $47,206. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Fontbonne University placed #9 among the best values for special education. Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $29,976 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $45,511 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Fontbonne University earn a median of $42,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $45,511 median debt.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #10 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,357 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Drury University landed the #11 spot for special education value this year. Drury University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $36,745 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $41,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Baptist University came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,122. Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $35,312. Set against $28,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
