2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Florida

1

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in special education in Florida. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Miami Dade College, which ranked #2. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $9,671. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,935. That is a strong return on a $9,671 median debt.

3

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot 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. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

4

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $49,081. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

5

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #5 place for special education. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,390. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

6

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #6 among the best values for special education. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,931. Special Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $46,866 early in their careers. Set against $22,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $51,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

8

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,509 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.

9

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,709. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

10

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida placed #10 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $53,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

11

Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College came in at #11 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,830 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,110 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Broward College earn a median of $49,262 early in their careers. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Barry University
Miami, FL

Barry University placed #12 among the best values for special education. Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $34,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $31,180. Early-career special education graduates make about $64,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

13

Southeastern University
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,950. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $39,595. Set against $23,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

14

Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University earned the #14 position for value in special education this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Students from in state pay about $38,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $55,480. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.

15

Carlos Albizu University Miami
Miami, FL

Carlos Albizu University Miami came in at #15 for value in special education this year. Carlos Albizu University Miami is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,818. Special Education graduates of Carlos Albizu University Miami earn a median of $64,380 early in their careers. Carlos Albizu University Miami admits about 76% of applicants.