2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Indiana

[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general special education students.
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2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
Indiana University South Bend earned the #1 spot for value among general special education schools in Indiana. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $24,640. General Special Education graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $47,733 early in their careers. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at Vincennes University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Students borrow a median of $21,710 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $39,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the best values for general special education. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $51,306. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,250. Early-career general special education graduates make about $54,096. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $32,807. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,752. That is a strong return on a $32,807 median debt.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne came in at #6 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,520. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne generally make around $57,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne admits about 96% of applicants.
Trine University placed #7 among the best values for general special education. Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Angola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,560. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,765. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Trine University generally make around $54,881. Set against $25,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Mary Of The Woods College placed #8 among the best values for general special education. Located in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods, Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,240. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,773. General Special Education graduates of Saint Mary Of The Woods College earn a median of $39,776 early in their careers. Set against $27,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Mary Of The Woods College admits about 72% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.