by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general special education schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of Phoenix Arizona, our #1 best value for general special education in Arizona. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,842. Set against $35,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $52,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Arizona University earned it the #3 place for general special education. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $54,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. 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. Early-career general special education graduates make about $44,257. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $47,180. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $48,745. Set against $47,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
5
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.