2026 Best Value Elementary Special Education Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in elementary special education, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $77,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Students looking for strong value in elementary special education will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $77,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $76,836 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

4

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for elementary special education. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $74,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $75,783. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

6

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #6 for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $14,688. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $75,212. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

7

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #7 position for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $38,978 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,145 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.

8

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for elementary special education. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,277 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $49,087 early in their careers. Set against $19,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

9

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College earned the #9 position for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.

10

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College placed #10 among the best values for elementary special education. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $29,851. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $65,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

11

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University earned the #11 position for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $26,475. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $56,409. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

12

Monroe College Main Campus
Bronx, NY

Monroe College Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,464. Students borrow a median of $20,701 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Monroe College Main Campus generally make around $40,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.

13

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University earned the #13 position for value in elementary special education this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $19,750. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $64,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

14

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #14 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $58,958. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

15

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College earned the #15 position for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $61,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

16

Suny College At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Suny College At Buffalo landed the #16 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $22,610. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $53,922. Set against $22,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

17

Suny College At Brockport
Brockport, NY

Suny College At Brockport earned the #17 position for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. 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.

18

Suny College At Oswego
Oswego, NY

Suny College At Oswego ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,163 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $41,899 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,163 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

19

Suny College At Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY

Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #19 position for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $24,217. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $56,109. That is a strong return on a $24,217 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

20

Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University landed the #20 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Students borrow a median of $29,317 to complete the elementary special education program here. 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. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.

21

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #21 for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $21,530. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $63,285. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.

22

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #22 for value in elementary special education this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary special education program here. 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. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

23

Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University earned the #23 position for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,717 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $39,378. Set against $26,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

24

Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University landed the #24 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.

25

Suny College At Oneonta
Oneonta, NY

Suny College At Oneonta came in at #25 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,046 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $54,518 early in their careers. Set against $22,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.