2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in North Carolina
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for general special education students.
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2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro tops our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools in North Carolina. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $42,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Western Carolina University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $20,485 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $41,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,485 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned it the #3 place for general special education. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $26,602 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $47,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Appalachian State University one of the best values for general special education. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $43,424. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $26,416 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $47,309 early in their careers. Set against $26,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Queens University Of Charlotte came in at #6 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,846. Students borrow a median of $27,245 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Queens University Of Charlotte generally make around $59,654. That is a strong return on a $27,245 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Elon University came in at #7 for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,958 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $21,619. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $50,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
More General Special Education Rankings
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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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
