by our College Data Analytics Team
[Administration of Special Education](/majors/education/educational-administration/administration-of-special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong administration of special education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for administration of special education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in administration of special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #1 spot for value among administration of special education schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mcdaniel College earned it the #2 place for administration of special education. Located in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,081. Students borrow a median of $16,318 to complete the administration of special education program here. Soon after graduation, administration of special education degree recipients from Mcdaniel College generally make around $54,904. That is a strong return on a $16,318 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gwynedd Mercy College earned it the #3 place for administration of special education. Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley. In-state tuition and fees average $40,838. Students borrow a median of $29,764 to complete the administration of special education program here. Administration Of Special Education graduates of Gwynedd Mercy College earn a median of $89,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #4 place for administration of special education. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the administration of special education program here. Early-career administration of special education graduates make about $74,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in administration of special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,660. Typical student debt for administration of special education graduates is $24,848. Administration Of Special Education graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $55,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,848 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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George Washington University came in at #6 for value in administration of special education this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for administration of special education graduates is $22,910. Early-career administration of special education graduates make about $87,943. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Drexel University earned the #7 position for value in administration of special education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the administration of special education program here. Early-career administration of special education graduates make about $84,701. Set against $28,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.