by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1022 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Moorpark College tops our 2026 list of the best value special education schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $17,075. Early-career special education graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Special Education graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Special Education graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $5,707. Special Education graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #5 place for special education. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
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Golden West College came in at #6 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,500. Early-career special education graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College placed #7 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College came in at #8 for value in special education this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College came in at #9 for value in special education this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #10 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Norco College earned the #11 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Special Education graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Riverside City College earned the #12 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $8,767. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Citrus College earned the #13 position for value in special education this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Foothill College landed the #14 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $11,595. Special Education graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Rhode Island came in at #15 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,940 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $39,680. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College placed #16 among the best values for special education. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Butte College placed #17 among the best values for special education. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Bakersfield College came in at #18 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $9,419. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miracosta College came in at #19 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,158, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
Sacramento City College placed #20 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $13,180. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #21 for value in special education this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Fullerton College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Oakland Community College earned the #23 position for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Woodland Community College earned the #24 position for value in special education this year. Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Woodland. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $7,656. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,042.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #25 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,240, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in special education:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Special Education rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 1022 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.