2026 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools in New York
[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 41 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary special education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools in New York
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
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. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $77,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
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. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for elementary special education. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for elementary special education. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $76,836. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $12,157. 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.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #6 for value in elementary special education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $14,688. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $75,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #7 position for value in elementary special education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the elementary special education program here. 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.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #8 among the best values for elementary special education. 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, 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. Set against $24,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College came in at #9 for value in elementary special education this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $23,693. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Mercy College came in at #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $28,304. Elementary Special Education graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Monroe College Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,701 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $40,329 early in their careers. Set against $20,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $22,610 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $35,330. Set against $22,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #13 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $24,757. 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.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #14 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $56,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. 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.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #16 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. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Niagara University came in at #18 for value in elementary special education this year. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Suny College At Cortland came in at #19 for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,874, compared with $18,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $25,369. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $55,507. Set against $25,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta earned the #20 position for value in elementary special education this year. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. 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%.
Manhattanville College ranked #21 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. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $25,372. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $67,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Metropolitan College Of New York landed the #22 spot for elementary special education value this year. Metropolitan College Of New York is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $20,188. Students borrow a median of $42,218 to complete the elementary special education program here. 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%.
Touro College came in at #23 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,052. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,285 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $66,800. Set against $20,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Keuka College landed the #24 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the town of Keuka Park, Keuka College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,332. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Keuka College generally make around $53,806. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Molloy College earned the #25 position for value in elementary special education this year. Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. In-state tuition and fees average $39,790. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,420 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $53,653 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for elementary special education this year:
More Elementary Special Education Rankings
View All Elementary Special Education Rankings >
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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
