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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Special Education Master’s Degree Schools

200 Colleges in the United States
$24,589 Avg Student Debt
$58,203 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Special Education Master's Degree Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 813 schools to find the best return on investment for general special education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Special Education Schools

1

California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among general special education schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $79,384. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for general special education. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $14,430. Early-career general special education graduates make about $83,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #3 place for general special education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

4

Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #4. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $13,303. Early-career general special education graduates make about $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

5

Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 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 City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #6 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

7

California State University San Bernardino earned the #7 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

8

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #8 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $15,886. Early-career general special education graduates make about $74,460. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

9

California State University Bakersfield earned the #9 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

10

Cuny Lehman College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

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California State University Fresno landed the #11 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $71,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

12

California State University Long Beach ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $15,671. General Special Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $77,631 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

13

California State University Northridge earned the #13 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $68,093. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

14
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #14 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

15

Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $14,688. General Special Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

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Texas A And M International University earned the #16 position for value in general special education this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,229 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $58,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,229 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

17

California State University Sacramento ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $33,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

18

California State University East Bay placed #18 among the best values for general special education. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $18,073. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $77,402. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

19

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $61,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $58,038. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

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Florida International University landed the #21 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $61,563. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

22

Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #22 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $18,660. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

23

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $19,277. Early-career general special education graduates make about $49,087. That is a strong return on a $19,277 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

24

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #24 position for value in general special education this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $55,668. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

25

Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #25 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. General 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.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Special Education Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
Western Governors University crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
39
40
41
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
42
43
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
44
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ
45
46
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
47
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI
48
49
50
Holy Family University crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Other General Special Education Degree Levels

Explore the best-value general special education schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Special Education
Associate's Degrees in General Special Education
Bachelor's Degrees in General Special Education
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View All General Special Education Rankings >

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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 · 813 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 200 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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