by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-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.
College Factual analyzed 61 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general special education schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 best value for general special education in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Holy Family University one of the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $64,967. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the best values for general special education. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for general special education. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $54,009 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Northampton County Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $35,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #6 for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $44,273 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #7 position for value in general special education this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #8 position for value in general special education this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. General Special Education graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $48,641 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the rural area of Cheyney, Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $10,904 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,870 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates of Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $28,128 early in their careers.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #10 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $29,737. General Special Education graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $51,664 early in their careers. Set against $29,737 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. General Special Education graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for general special education value this year. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the suburb of Lincoln University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,512, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $30,959. General Special Education graduates of Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $55,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,959 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
La Salle University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $48,302. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Wilson College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Chambersburg, Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,100. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $34,814. Early-career general special education graduates make about $58,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 among the best values for general special education. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $53,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern University landed the #17 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,400. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Eastern University generally make around $53,901. That is a strong return on a $28,584 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Gwynedd Mercy College came in at #18 for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,838. Students borrow a median of $29,764 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $62,051. Set against $29,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College came in at #19 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,770. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. Early-career general special education graduates make about $48,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Temple University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Temple University earn a median of $57,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Alvernia University landed the #21 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Students borrow a median of $31,900 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Alvernia University generally make around $48,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #22 position for value in general special education this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $53,500. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,857. Early-career general special education graduates make about $48,472. That is a strong return on a $26,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Chestnut Hill College came in at #23 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,870. Students borrow a median of $30,824 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Chestnut Hill College generally make around $45,627. That is a strong return on a $30,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #24 for value in general special education this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $56,926. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Desales University came in at #25 for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. Students borrow a median of $27,524 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $54,798. Set against $27,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general special education:
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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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.