2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

For return on investment in general special education, no school beat Texas A And M International University this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,229 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,256. Set against $18,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

2

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

3

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for general special education. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,277 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $49,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.

4

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned it the #4 place for general special education. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

5

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for general special education. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,548 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

6

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $55,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

7

Northern New Mexico College
Espanola, NM

Northern New Mexico College earned the #7 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,064, while out-of-state students pay about $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.

8

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria placed #8 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $60,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

9

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #9 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $20,052. Early-career general special education graduates make about $57,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

10

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $24,211. General Special Education graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $57,313 early in their careers. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

11

Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe Community College came in at #11 for value in general special education this year. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,851, while out-of-state students pay about $4,131. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $15,267. General Special Education graduates of Santa Fe Community College earn a median of $43,742 early in their careers. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #12 position for value in general special education this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $65,786. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

13

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Students borrow a median of $21,840 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $42,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

14

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University earned the #14 position for value in general special education this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $60,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.

15

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #15 position for value in general special education this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $19,375. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $52,899. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

16

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $60,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

17

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #17 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

18

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #18 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $53,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt.

19

The University Of Texas At Tyler
Tyler, TX

The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $20,959. Early-career general special education graduates make about $56,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.

20

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas placed #20 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $60,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

21

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University landed the #21 spot for general special education value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $54,048. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

22

New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM

New Mexico Highlands University came in at #22 for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of $52,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #23 for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $56,375. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $44,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University came in at #25 for value in general special education this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $62,215. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.