2026 Best Value Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

For return on investment in special education, no school beat Miami Dade College this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $9,671. Special Education graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $53,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,385. Special Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Cuny Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Medgar Evers College one of the best values for special education. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $49,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,709. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

5

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

A rank of #5 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for special education. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Special Education graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $50,647. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

6

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $36,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

7

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $49,827 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

8

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $13,509 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $47,734 early in their careers. Set against $13,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.

9

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho placed #9 among the best values for special education. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

10

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #10 spot for special education value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $48,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

11

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury placed #11 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $24,145 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $38,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

12

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming landed the #12 spot for special education value this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,283. Special Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

13

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,643. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

14

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #14 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $60,396 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.

15

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University placed #15 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.

16

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University landed the #16 spot for special education value this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,775 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $36,197. Set against $20,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

17

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #17 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $42,967. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

18

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #18 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,452. Special Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $46,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

19

Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

Western Governors University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,158 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,271. That is a strong return on a $25,158 median debt.

20

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University earned the #20 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $61,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

21

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University landed the #21 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,375. Early-career special education graduates make about $49,882. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

22

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University earned the #22 position for value in special education this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $17,600. Special Education graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $69,073 early in their careers. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

23

Georgia Gwinnett College
Lawrenceville, GA

Georgia Gwinnett College landed the #23 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,532, compared with $13,844 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,280 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Georgia Gwinnett College generally make around $55,992. That is a strong return on a $21,280 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

24

South Georgia State College
Douglas, GA

South Georgia State College earned the #24 position for value in special education this year. South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Douglas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,314, with out-of-state students paying around $10,274. Students borrow a median of $17,518 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $50,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

University Of Akron Wayne College
Orrville, OH

University Of Akron Wayne College earned the #25 position for value in special education this year. Set in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,723 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,669. Early-career special education graduates make about $36,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Wayne College admits about 90% of applicants.