2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

Miami Dade College earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $9,671 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

3

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

A rank of #3 makes Florida State University one of the best values for special education. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,709 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Set against $22,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

4

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,031. Special Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $49,081 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

5

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.

6

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida placed #6 among the best values for special education. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $51,390. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

7

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,931 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $46,866. That is a strong return on a $22,931 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

8

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,509 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $51,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #9 for value in special education 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,313. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

10

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University placed #10 among the best values for special education. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,775. Early-career special education graduates make about $36,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

11

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #11 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,538. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #12 among the best values for special education. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $42,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

13

Louisiana State University Alexandria
Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Louisiana State University Alexandria generally make around $47,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Alexandria admits about 92% of applicants.

14

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University came in at #14 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $46,511 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

15

South Georgia State College
Douglas, GA

South Georgia State College landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Located in the town of Douglas, South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, compared with $10,274 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,518 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from South Georgia State College generally make around $50,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Georgia Gwinnett College
Lawrenceville, GA

Georgia Gwinnett College came in at #16 for value in special education this year. Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students from in state pay about $4,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,844. Students borrow a median of $21,280 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $55,992. Set against $21,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama came in at #17 for value in special education this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $54,447 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

18

University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY

University Of The Cumberlands placed #18 among the best values for special education. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $43,283. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

19

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,381 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $41,278. That is a strong return on a $28,381 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

20

Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University earned the #20 position for value in special education this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $56,492 early in their careers. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

21

Georgia Southwestern State University
Americus, GA

Georgia Southwestern State University came in at #21 for value in special education this year. Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $16,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,245 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Georgia Southwestern State University earn a median of $52,428 early in their careers. Set against $28,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

22

Morehead State University
Morehead, KY

Morehead State University came in at #22 for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,878. Special Education graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $36,999 early in their careers. Set against $26,878 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

23

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University came in at #23 for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,485 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $41,376 early in their careers. Set against $20,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia placed #24 among the best values for special education. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,250. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,506. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

25

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $41,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.