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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Elementary Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools

15 Colleges in the United States
$25,502 Avg Student Debt
$57,874 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Elementary Special Education Bachelor's Degree Badge [Elementary Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/elementary-special-education/) 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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 101 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary special education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary special education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools

1

Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #1 spot for value among elementary special education schools in the United States. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $5,500. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $49,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in elementary special education will find it at Suny College At Old Westbury, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $24,145. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $38,978. Set against $24,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in elementary special education will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #3. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

4

Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rhode Island College earned it the #5 place for elementary special education. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $29,851. Elementary Special Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $50,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #6 for value in elementary special education this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $22,635. Elementary Special Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $60,588 early in their careers. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

7
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #7 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $19,750. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $53,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

8

Ball State University placed #8 among the best values for elementary special education. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,499. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

9

Suny College At Buffalo placed #9 among the best values for elementary special education. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,610 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $16,737 early in their careers. Set against $22,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

10

Suny College At Brockport came in at #10 for value in elementary special education this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $39,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

12
Granite State College crest
Granite State College
Manchester, NH

Granite State College landed the #12 spot for elementary special education value this year. Granite State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. Students from in state pay about $7,724 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,284. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $29,935. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $55,121. That is a strong return on a $29,935 median debt.

13
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH

Marietta College earned the #13 position for value in elementary special education this year. Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,652. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Marietta College generally make around $79,641. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

14
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University placed #14 among the best values for elementary special education. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,345. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $53,815. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

15
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University placed #15 among the best values for elementary special education. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,717 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $39,378 early in their careers. Set against $26,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

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Shorter University came in at #16 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Rome, Shorter University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,630. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $31,037 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Shorter University generally make around $44,407. That is a strong return on a $31,037 median debt. Shorter University admits about 96% of applicants.

17
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo earned the #17 position for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $37,229. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.

18

Suny College At Cortland ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,874 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Students borrow a median of $25,369 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $55,507. That is a strong return on a $25,369 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

19
Buena Vista University crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University placed #19 among the best values for elementary special education. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $44,780. That is a strong return on a $29,317 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

20

Boise State University placed #20 among the best values for elementary special education. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Students borrow a median of $26,675 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $42,303. That is a strong return on a $26,675 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

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21

Grand Canyon University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Students borrow a median of $47,180 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $43,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $47,180 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

22

Upper Iowa University landed the #22 spot for elementary special education value this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Students borrow a median of $35,455 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $44,304 early in their careers. Set against $35,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

23
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College placed #23 among the best values for elementary special education. Set in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,052. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $20,285. Elementary Special Education graduates of Touro College earn a median of $66,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,285 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

24
Keuka College crest
Keuka College
Keuka Park, NY

Keuka College earned the #24 position for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the town of Keuka Park, Keuka College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,332. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $53,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

25
Molloy College crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY

Molloy College placed #25 among the best values for elementary special education. Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,790. Students borrow a median of $27,420 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Molloy College generally make around $53,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary special education value ranking:

26
27
28
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
29
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Other Elementary Special Education Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Elementary Special Education rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Elementary Special Education
Associate's Degrees in Elementary Special Education
Master's Degrees in Elementary Special Education
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View All Elementary Special Education Rankings >

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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 · 101 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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