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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

23 Colleges in the United States
$22,990 Avg Student Debt
$62,262 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Elementary Special Education 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 50 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 Middle Atlantic Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the elementary special education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools

1
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in elementary special education, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $77,182. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $77,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

3

Students looking for strong value in elementary special education will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $79,551. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

4
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College came in at #4 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. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the elementary special education program here. 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%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for elementary special education. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $12,157. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $74,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

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6

Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $75,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

7

Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #7 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $49,413. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #8 spot for elementary special education value this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $24,145 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $38,978 early in their careers. Set against $24,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.

9
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College landed the #9 spot for elementary special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University landed the #10 spot for elementary special education value this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. 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 $59,077. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

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11
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College earned the #11 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $61,432. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

Suny College At Buffalo came in at #12 for value in elementary special education this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $22,610 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $35,330 early in their careers. Set against $22,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.

13

Suny College At Brockport came in at #13 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $39,724. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

14

Monroe College Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for elementary special education. Located in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,464. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $20,701. Elementary Special Education graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $40,329 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,701 median debt. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.

15

Suny College At Plattsburgh placed #15 among the best values for elementary special education. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,217 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $56,109. That is a strong return on a $24,217 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

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16

Suny College At Oswego came in at #16 for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. That is a strong return on a $25,163 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

17

State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #17 among the best values for elementary special education. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $21,530. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $63,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.

18

Suny College At Cortland came in at #18 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $25,369. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $55,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,369 median debt. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.

19
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo landed the #19 spot for elementary special education value this year. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

20
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University placed #20 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. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $53,815. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.

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21

Suny College At Oneonta ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,781. Students borrow a median of $22,046 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $54,518. That is a strong return on a $22,046 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

22
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University came in at #22 for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $48,302. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

23

Manhattanville College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,604. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,372 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Manhattanville College generally make around $67,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

24

Metropolitan College Of New York landed the #24 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the city of New York, Metropolitan College Of New York is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,188. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $42,218 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Metropolitan College Of New York generally make around $49,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

25
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College earned the #25 position for value in elementary special education this year. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $20,052. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $20,285. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $66,800. That is a strong return on a $20,285 median debt. Touro College admits about 61% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in elementary special education:

26
Keuka College crest
Keuka College
Keuka Park, NY
27
Molloy College crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY
28
29
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
30
Iona College crest
Iona College
New Rochelle, NY
31
32
Chestnut Hill College crest
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA
33
34
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY
35
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
36
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
37
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
38
39
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 50 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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