by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education of the Deaf](/majors/education/special-education/education-of-the-deaf/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education of the deaf students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education of the deaf, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Miami Dade College, our #1 best value for education of the deaf in the United States. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,671 to complete the education of the deaf program here. Early-career education of the deaf graduates make about $53,935. Set against $9,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #2 place for education of the deaf. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for education of the deaf graduates is $16,478. Early-career education of the deaf graduates make about $50,647. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value education of the deaf schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education of the deaf graduates is $13,509. Soon after graduation, education of the deaf degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $47,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for education of the deaf. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the education of the deaf program here. Soon after graduation, education of the deaf degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,967. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for education of the deaf. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Education Of The Deaf graduates carry a median of $28,381 in student loans. Early-career education of the deaf graduates make about $38,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best values for education of the deaf. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Education Of The Deaf graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education of the deaf graduates make about $39,601. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University came in at #7 for value in education of the deaf this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for education of the deaf graduates is $23,250. Early-career education of the deaf graduates make about $47,499. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in education of the deaf this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the education of the deaf program here. Early-career education of the deaf graduates make about $47,887. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Shawnee State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value education of the deaf schools. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. In-state tuition and fees average $9,448, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Education Of The Deaf graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education of the deaf degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $42,878. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education of the deaf schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the education of the deaf program here. Soon after graduation, education of the deaf degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #11 among the best values for education of the deaf. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Illinois State University came in at #12 for value in education of the deaf this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $20,436 to complete the education of the deaf program here. Education Of The Deaf graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Set against $20,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University landed the #13 spot for education of the deaf value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for education of the deaf graduates is $13,975. Education Of The Deaf graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $71,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #14 for value in education of the deaf this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #15 spot for education of the deaf value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the education of the deaf program here. Soon after graduation, education of the deaf degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for education of the deaf. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Education Of The Deaf graduates carry a median of $25,046 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education of the deaf degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $42,347. That is a strong return on a $25,046 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #17 spot for education of the deaf value this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,228 to complete the education of the deaf program here. Early-career education of the deaf graduates make about $64,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Education of the Deaf rankings across degree levels:
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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.