2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 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 the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
Western Governors University earned the #1 spot for value among general special education schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Students borrow a median of $25,158 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $51,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #2 place for general special education. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
Utah State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $61,474 early in their careers. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $20,798. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $65,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Brigham Young University Provo one of the best values for general special education. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $12,184. General Special Education graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $50,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #6 among the best values for general special education. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Students borrow a median of $20,027 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $39,638. Set against $20,027 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Montana State University Billings placed #7 among the best values for general special education. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. Students from in state pay about $7,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,465. General Special Education graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $48,764 early in their careers. Set against $25,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned the #8 position for value in general special education this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,559. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $52,083. Set against $23,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Montana Western came in at #9 for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,669, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from The University Of Montana Western generally make around $36,924. Set against $22,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Western State College Of Colorado earned the #10 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318, while out-of-state students pay about $24,434. Students borrow a median of $23,455 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $36,712. That is a strong return on a $23,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Idaho State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $24,640. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Lewis College came in at #12 for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $18,888. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $30,676. Set against $18,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #13 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Students borrow a median of $26,564 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $49,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #14 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $66,022. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University placed #15 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,675 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $46,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Regis University came in at #16 for value in general special education this year. Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $72,028. Set against $31,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Colorado Christian University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,846. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $36,092 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $41,475. That is a strong return on a $36,092 median debt.
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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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
