2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in New York
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 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 New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for general special education in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for general special education. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for general special education. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for general special education. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $12,157. Early-career general special education graduates make about $41,847. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #6 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $75,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #7 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $24,145 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $38,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College placed #8 among the best values for general special education. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,693. Soon after graduation, general 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.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #9 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $22,610 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $35,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Suny At Fredonia earned the #10 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $53,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Mercy College came in at #11 for value in general 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 general special education graduates is $28,304. General Special Education graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #12 position for value in general 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, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $24,757. General Special Education graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #13 for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,163. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh landed the #14 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Students borrow a median of $24,217 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $56,109. That is a strong return on a $24,217 median debt. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
Daemen College landed the #15 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,218 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,358 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $63,542 early in their careers. Set against $28,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College New York landed the #16 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,550. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York generally make around $46,124. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #17 among the best values for general 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $63,285 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany placed #18 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $58,981. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $53,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College earned the #20 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,450. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $64,804. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Utica College placed #21 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,930. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,237. Early-career general special education graduates make about $55,130. Set against $27,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Saint Mary College came in at #22 for value in general special education this year. Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newburgh. Students from in state pay about $43,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Mount Saint Mary College generally make around $65,715. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,211. Early-career general special education graduates make about $75,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Roberts Wesleyan College placed #24 among the best values for general special education. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Roberts Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,826. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $48,979. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Touro College landed the #25 spot for general special education value this year. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,052. Students borrow a median of $20,285 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Touro College generally make around $66,800. Set against $20,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value General Special Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general special education:
More General Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
