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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the New England Region

22 Colleges in the United States
$25,730 Avg Student Debt
$63,698 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Special Education Badge [General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general special education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the New England Region

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

Best Value General Special Education Schools

1

For return on investment in general special education, no school beat Worcester State University this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Students borrow a median of $24,451 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Rhode Island earned it the #2 place for general special education. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $13,940. Early-career general special education graduates make about $39,680. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

A rank of #3 makes Rhode Island College one of the best values for general special education. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,851 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $57,986. That is a strong return on a $29,851 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fitchburg State University earned it the #4 place for general special education. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,840. Early-career general special education graduates make about $59,740. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Maine earned it the #5 place for general special education. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,572. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

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6

Central Connecticut State University earned the #6 position for value in general special education this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $60,665. Set against $24,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.

7

Framingham State University came in at #7 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,872 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $49,006. That is a strong return on a $25,872 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

8

Bridgewater State University earned the #8 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. General Special Education graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $53,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.

9

University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $65,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

10
Granite State College crest
Granite State College
Manchester, NH

Granite State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,724 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,284. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $29,935. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Granite State College generally make around $55,121. Set against $29,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Salem State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $58,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.

12

University Of Maine placed #12 among the best values for general special education. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $49,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.

13

Westfield State University earned the #13 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $48,579. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.

14

Plymouth State University placed #14 among the best values for general special education. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,972 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $45,528. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.

15
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $52,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of Connecticut ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,637. General Special Education graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. Set against $23,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

17

Southern Connecticut State University came in at #17 for value in general special education this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. Early-career general special education graduates make about $54,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

18

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,325. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,854 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $57,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms admits about 85% of applicants.

19
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #19 for value in general special education this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Boston University earn a median of $59,238 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

20
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College came in at #20 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,740 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $58,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

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Saint Joseph College crest
Saint Joseph College
West Hartford, CT

Saint Joseph College earned the #21 position for value in general special education this year. Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. In-state tuition and fees average $47,278. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,798. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Saint Joseph College generally make around $56,400. That is a strong return on a $27,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

22
Assumption College crest
Assumption College
Worcester, MA

Assumption College came in at #22 for value in general special education this year. Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,356. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Assumption College earn a median of $55,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

23
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, MA

Regis College came in at #23 for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,680. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,441 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $50,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

24
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. General Special Education graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $54,418 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

25
Stonehill College crest
Stonehill College
Easton, MA

Stonehill College placed #25 among the best values for general special education. Located in the suburb of Easton, Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,370. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,603 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $45,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stonehill College admits about 66% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 31 Best Value General Special Education Schools

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

26
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA
27
28
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA
29
30
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
31
Providence College crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 57 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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