2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Iowa
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general special education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for general special education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Iowa
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
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #1 spot for value among general special education schools in Iowa. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $46,054. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Buena Vista University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $29,317. Early-career general special education graduates make about $44,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #3 makes Morningside College one of the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,519. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,281. Early-career general special education graduates make about $55,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $35,455. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $51,441. That is a strong return on a $35,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Northwestern College Iowa came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
