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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in South Carolina

7 Colleges in the United States
$26,350 Avg Student Debt
$51,521 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 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 South Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Special Education Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Francis Marion University the best value for a degree in special education in South Carolina. Located in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,577 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $41,456. That is a strong return on a $30,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coastal Carolina University earned it the #2 place for special education. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $45,908 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.

3
Lander University crest
Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Lander University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,064 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Lander University earn a median of $37,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,064 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

4
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,717 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $46,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,717 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

5
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,025 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $39,832. That is a strong return on a $24,025 median debt. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.

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Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #6 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.

7

Columbia College South Carolina earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $28,158 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,339. That is a strong return on a $28,158 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

8

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #8 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

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Notes and References

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 · 20 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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