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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Massachusetts

10 Colleges in the United States
$25,940 Avg Student Debt
$64,917 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Special Education Badge [General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general special education education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 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 Massachusetts

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

Best Value General Special Education Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Worcester State University the best value for a degree in general special education in Massachusetts. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $24,451. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fitchburg State University earned it the #2 place for general special education. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. 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. Set against $25,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.

3

Framingham State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,872. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $49,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at Bridgewater State University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $53,911. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

5

Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. 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. Early-career general special education graduates make about $65,431. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Salem State University landed the #6 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $58,024. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.

7

Westfield State University came in at #7 for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 81%.

8
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #8 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Boston University earn a median of $59,238 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.

9

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #9 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,325. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms generally make around $57,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

10
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College earned the #10 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,874. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,740. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $58,142. That is a strong return on a $26,740 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

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11
Assumption College crest
Assumption College
Worcester, MA

Assumption College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $51,356 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,995 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Assumption College earn a median of $55,180 early in their careers. Set against $26,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

12
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, MA

Regis College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,441 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Regis College generally make around $50,691. Set against $27,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regis College admits about 70% of applicants.

13
Stonehill College crest
Stonehill College
Easton, MA

Stonehill College landed the #13 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,370. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,603. General Special Education graduates of Stonehill College earn a median of $45,704 early in their careers. Set against $25,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

14
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,256 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $24,818. General Special Education graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $58,625 early in their careers. Set against $24,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

15
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College came in at #15 for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,962 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,913. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

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16
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College earned the #16 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $59,583. Set against $18,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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