by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 106 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for special education students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Colby Community College earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $5,830. Special Education graduates carry a median of $14,796 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $40,598. That is a strong return on a $14,796 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,860 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $46,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #3 place for special education. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minot State University earned it the #4 place for special education. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $50,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Chadron State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $47,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #6 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $52,350. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #7 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,635. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,588. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Wichita State University came in at #8 for value in special education this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,262. Special Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $55,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University landed the #9 spot for special education value this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $53,586. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,459. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Wayne State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,387 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $51,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,387 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #13 for value in special education this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $40,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $54,521. That is a strong return on a $22,173 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southwest Minnesota State University earned the #15 position for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Special Education graduates carry a median of $30,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $44,510. That is a strong return on a $30,542 median debt. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Emporia State University placed #16 among the best values for special education. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $53,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #17 position for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,250. Early-career special education graduates make about $41,321. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Bemidji State University placed #18 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,819. Early-career special education graduates make about $57,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #19 for value in special education this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,000. Special Education graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $41,190 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $58,196 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earned the #21 position for value in special education this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Students borrow a median of $30,051 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $47,316. Set against $30,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #22 for value in special education this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Special Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #23 for value in special education this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $59,263. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #24 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $38,250. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #25 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,546. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for special education this year:
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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 · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.