[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1022 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value special education schools.
California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $79,384. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $77,182. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for special education. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $83,983. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for special education. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $77,678. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for special education. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Special Education graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $74,496 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #6 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $76,836. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $74,460. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #8 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $75,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #9 spot for special education value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,149. Special Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield placed #10 among the best values for special education. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno landed the #11 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $71,787. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $77,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Northridge ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $16,202. Early-career special education graduates make about $68,093. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida landed the #14 spot for special education value this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,147 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $75,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Texas A And M International University came in at #16 for value in special education this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,229. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,691. Set against $18,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in special education this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $61,133. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento landed the #18 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $16,750. Early-career special education graduates make about $33,783. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University East Bay ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,073. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $77,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,660. Special Education graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,277 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $49,087. That is a strong return on a $19,277 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #22 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $55,668. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #23 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $61,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $58,038. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $24,145 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $38,978 early in their careers. Set against $24,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s special education value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 252 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
