2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

For return on investment in special education, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $50,647. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #2 place for special education. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,252 early in their careers. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

3

Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

A rank of #3 makes Western Governors University one of the best values for special education. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,158 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $51,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

5

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University earned the #6 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career special education graduates make about $61,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

7

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,798. Early-career special education graduates make about $65,971. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

8

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $12,184. Special Education graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $50,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

9

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #9 position for value in special education this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,027 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $39,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

10

Montana State University Billings
Billings, MT

Montana State University Billings earned the #10 position for value in special education this year. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, while out-of-state students pay about $22,897. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,465. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,764. Set against $25,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,559. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $52,083. That is a strong return on a $23,559 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

12

The University Of Montana Western
Dillon, MT

The University Of Montana Western ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,669, with out-of-state students paying around $20,130. Students borrow a median of $22,484 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of The University Of Montana Western earn a median of $36,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Montana Western admits about 100% of applicants.

13

Western State College Of Colorado
Gunnison, CO

Western State College Of Colorado came in at #13 for value in special education this year. Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Gunnison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318, compared with $24,434 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,455 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $36,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

14

Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID

Idaho State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,446. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt.

15

Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,888. Early-career special education graduates make about $30,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.

16

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,564. Special Education graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $49,499 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,564 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Colorado Denver came in at #17 for value in special education this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,022 early in their careers. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.

18

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Boise State University placed #18 among the best values for special education. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,675 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $46,171. Set against $26,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

19

Regis University
Denver, CO

Regis University landed the #19 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Regis University earn a median of $72,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,773 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

20

Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO

Colorado Christian University came in at #20 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,846. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $36,092. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $41,475. Set against $36,092 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.