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

5 Colleges in the United States
$24,108 Avg Student Debt
$51,232 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Special Education Badge [Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 13 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 Nebraska

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 Nebraska At Omaha tops our 2026 list of the best value special education schools in Nebraska. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,860 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $46,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,860 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

2

Chadron State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,912. Early-career special education graduates make about $47,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Wayne State College came in at #3 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,974 in student loans. 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.

4

University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,173. Special Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $54,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

5

Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #5. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,528. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Concordia University Seward landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Located in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,640. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,726 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $55,085. That is a strong return on a $26,726 median debt. Concordia University Seward admits about 86% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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