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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

35 Colleges in the United States
$26,191 Avg Student Debt
$53,783 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Special Education Badge [General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general special education education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general special education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general special education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Special Education Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Nebraska At Omaha, our #1 best value for general special education in the The Plains States Region. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $22,860. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $46,623. That is a strong return on a $22,860 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Minot State University one of the best values for general special education. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,788. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.

3
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

A rank of #3 makes Truman State University one of the best values for general special education. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,168. General Special Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chadron State College earned it the #4 place for general special education. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $47,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,912 median debt.

5

University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $52,350 early in their careers. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

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6

Wichita State University landed the #6 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $55,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

7

University Of Northern Iowa ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $22,635. General Special Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

8

Fort Hays State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $53,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

9

Saint Cloud State University earned the #9 position for value in general special education this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,459. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

10

Wayne State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #11 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $18,387 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $51,800. That is a strong return on a $18,387 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

12

Southeast Missouri State University earned the #12 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $40,281. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

13

Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #13 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Students borrow a median of $30,542 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $44,510. That is a strong return on a $30,542 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #14 for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $54,521. That is a strong return on a $22,173 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.

15

Emporia State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,131. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,927. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.

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16

Bemidji State University earned the #16 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Students borrow a median of $25,819 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $57,616. Set against $25,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.

17

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Central Missouri earned the #18 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,000. Early-career general special education graduates make about $41,190. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

19

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #19 for value in general special education this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $30,051. General Special Education graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $47,316 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,051 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

20
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #20 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $58,196. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

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21

University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. General Special Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

22

Missouri State University Springfield placed #22 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $38,250. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

23

Kansas State University earned the #23 position for value in general special education this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

24

Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #24 spot for general special education value this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,447 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $57,948 early in their careers. Set against $24,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.

25

Winona State University landed the #25 spot for general special education value this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $46,697. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 43 Best Value General Special Education Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general special education value ranking:

26
Buena Vista University crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA
27
28
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
29
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND
30
31
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
32
33
Fontbonne University crest
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, MO
34
35
36
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, MO
37
Morningside College crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA
38
39
40
41
42
43

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 94 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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