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2026 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of Northern Iowa, our #1 best value for elementary special education in the The Plains States Region. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $60,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned it the #2 place for elementary special education. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $49,755. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Buena Vista University earned it the #3 place for elementary special education. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $44,780. That is a strong return on a $29,317 median debt. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in elementary special education will find it at Upper Iowa University, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. 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 $50,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in elementary special education will find it at Concordia University Seward, which ranked #5. Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Seward. In-state tuition and fees average $40,640. Students borrow a median of $26,726 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Concordia University Seward earn a median of $55,085 early in their careers. Set against $26,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Narrow Elementary Special Education Schools by State
[Elementary Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/elementary-special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
