2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Ohio

1

University Of Akron Wayne College
Orrville, OH

University Of Akron Wayne College tops our 2026 list of the best value special education schools in Ohio. Set in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,723, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Akron Wayne College generally make around $36,776. That is a strong return on a $21,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #2 place for special education. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $40,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

3

College Of Mount St Joseph
Cincinnati, OH

College Of Mount St Joseph is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,273. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $69,964. Set against $28,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $50,916. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

A rank of #5 makes University Of Toledo one of the best values for special education. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,073 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $47,722. That is a strong return on a $22,073 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.

6

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,125 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $40,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

7

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $45,213. That is a strong return on a $26,899 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

8

Marietta College
Marietta, OH

Marietta College came in at #8 for value in special education this year. Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $39,652 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Marietta College generally make around $79,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marietta College admits about 79% of applicants.

9

Central State University
Wilberforce, OH

Central State University earned the #9 position for value in special education this year. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,058, with out-of-state students paying around $10,058. Special Education graduates carry a median of $31,318 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $27,388. Set against $31,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central State University admits about 99% of applicants.

10

Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, OH

Shawnee State University earned the #10 position for value in special education this year. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, while out-of-state students pay about $16,032. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Special Education graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $37,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent placed #11 among the best values for special education. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

Muskingum University
New Concord, OH

Muskingum University came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Located in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,701. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,932 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $39,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

13

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $26,950 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $43,944 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,950 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

14

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for special education value this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $47,648. That is a strong return on a $26,313 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

15

Lourdes College
Sylvania, OH

Lourdes College landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Lourdes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sylvania. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,370. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,668 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Lourdes College earn a median of $75,250 early in their careers. Set against $29,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lourdes College admits about 74% of applicants.

16

Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Mount Vernon, OH

Mount Vernon Nazarene University placed #16 among the best values for special education. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,193 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,602 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,853. Set against $26,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

17

Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University placed #17 among the best values for special education. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $45,537 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

18

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #18 for value in special education this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,742 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,104. That is a strong return on a $24,742 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

19

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford earned the #19 position for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $46,559. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.

20

University Of Rio Grande
Rio Grande, OH

University Of Rio Grande came in at #20 for value in special education this year. University Of Rio Grande is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Rio Grande. Students from in state pay about $20,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,044. Special Education graduates of University Of Rio Grande earn a median of $46,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,612 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $45,260. That is a strong return on a $20,612 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

22

Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University came in at #22 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,425. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $52,643. That is a strong return on a $26,614 median debt. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.