2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Virginia

[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.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general special education schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
For return on investment in general special education, no school beat Old Dominion University this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $54,351 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the best values for general special education. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,529. General Special Education graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $62,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at Radford University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,514. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $50,536. Set against $25,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $52,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Regent University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $53,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Lynchburg College landed the #6 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,750 in tuition and fees. General Special Education graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. Lynchburg College admits about 43% of applicants.
James Madison University landed the #7 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $56,055. That is a strong return on a $21,218 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Averett University earned the #8 position for value in general special education this year. Averett University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,550. Students borrow a median of $28,595 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University placed #9 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,875 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,659 early in their careers. Set against $29,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
More General Special Education Rankings
View All General Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.