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2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Minnesota

9 Colleges in the United States
$26,735 Avg Student Debt
$57,616 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for general special education students.

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2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Minnesota

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Special Education Schools

1

For return on investment in general special education, no school beat Saint Cloud State University this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,459. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,387 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

3

Bemidji State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

4

Southwest Minnesota State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Students borrow a median of $30,542 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Set against $30,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.

5

A rank of #5 makes Minnesota State University Moorhead one of the best values for general special education. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Students borrow a median of $24,447 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $57,948. That is a strong return on a $24,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.

6

Winona State University earned the #6 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $46,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

7
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University landed the #7 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $54,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #8 spot for general special education value this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. General Special Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $51,748 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #9 for value in general special education this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $60,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

10

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #10 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $58,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.

11

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #11 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,923. Early-career general special education graduates make about $65,183. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

View All General Special Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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