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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Alabama

8 Colleges in the United States
$26,522 Avg Student Debt
$49,815 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Special Education Badge [Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Alabama

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the special education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Special Education Schools

1

University Of North Alabama tops our 2026 list of the best value special education schools in Alabama. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,291. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of West Alabama earned it the #2 place for special education. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $56,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

3

Auburn University At Montgomery is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,700, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,746 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $44,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

4

Alabama A And M University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $18,634. Students borrow a median of $27,594 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,594 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

5

Jacksonville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,250. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,733. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of South Alabama ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,827. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

7

University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #7 for value in special education this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $50,356 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

8

The University Of Alabama earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $45,631. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.

9
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #9 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $46,289 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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