2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Michigan

1

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in Michigan. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,865. 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.

2

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland University earned it the #2 place for special education. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,972. Special Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $61,223 early in their careers. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

3

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $29,873 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $48,209 early in their careers. Set against $29,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.

4

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Special Education graduates carry a median of $43,500 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

5

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $46,522. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University came in at #6 for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $30,350. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,335. Set against $30,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

7

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $50,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

8

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $40,508. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.

9

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University came in at #9 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $51,967. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

10

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #10 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $57,308. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

11

Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI

Spring Arbor University placed #11 among the best values for special education. Located in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,014 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,750. Early-career special education graduates make about $50,637. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.

12

Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. In-state tuition and fees average $39,484. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Hope College earn a median of $48,630 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,334 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.