2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

For return on investment in special education, no school beat Texas A And M International University this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,229 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $53,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

2

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $15,200 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $46,052 early in their careers. Set against $15,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,000. Special Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,548 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

5

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $19,277 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $49,087. Set against $19,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

6

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

7

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #7 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $55,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

8

Northern New Mexico College
Espanola, NM

Northern New Mexico College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,328 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.

9

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $60,024. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

10

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #10 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $57,352. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.

11

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University earned the #11 position for value in special education this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $57,313. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.

12

Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe Community College earned the #12 position for value in special education this year. Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,851, while out-of-state students pay about $4,131. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,267. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Santa Fe Community College generally make around $43,742. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,819. Special Education graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $65,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.

14

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University landed the #14 spot for special education value this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,840. Special Education graduates of East Central University earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. Set against $21,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

15

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University placed #15 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

16

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University placed #16 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,084. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

17

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #17 among the best values for special education. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $52,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

18

Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,465. Special Education graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $46,045 early in their careers. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #19 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

20

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #20 position for value in special education this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $35,323. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $53,842. Set against $35,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

The University Of Texas At Tyler
Tyler, TX

The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #21 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $56,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas placed #22 among the best values for special education. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $60,365 early in their careers. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

23

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University earned the #23 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,048. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

24

New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM

New Mexico Highlands University landed the #24 spot for special education value this year. New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,900. Early-career special education graduates make about $52,709. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.

25

Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University landed the #25 spot for special education value this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $56,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.