2027 Best Value Elementary Special Education Master’s Degree Schools
[Elementary Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/elementary-special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary special education students.
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2027 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $11,091. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $77,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $13,389. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $76,836 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for elementary special education. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $75,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $74,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #6 for value in elementary special education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $14,688. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $75,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Portland State University earned the #7 position for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $19,277 to complete the elementary special education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $49,087. Set against $19,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #9 spot for elementary special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $44,443 early in their careers. Set against $24,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Rhode Island College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,851 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $65,912. That is a strong return on a $29,851 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #12 spot for elementary special education value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $22,610. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. Set against $22,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University earned the #13 position for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $58,958. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Mercy College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $28,304. Elementary Special Education graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Towson University landed the #15 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Towson University earn a median of $64,822 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #16 position for value in elementary special education this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $24,757. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $39,724. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Plattsburgh landed the #17 spot for elementary special education value this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $56,109. That is a strong return on a $24,217 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Niagara University placed #18 among the best values for elementary special education. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the elementary special education program here. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $53,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #19 for value in elementary special education this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $63,285 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Special Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $52,038 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.
Buena Vista University came in at #21 for value in elementary special education this year. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Elementary Special Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
St Francis College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. St Francis College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,775. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $24,966. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $40,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
La Salle University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary special education schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Typical student debt for elementary special education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary special education graduates make about $48,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Alma College earned the #24 position for value in elementary special education this year. Alma College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alma. Students from in state pay about $49,552 in tuition and fees. Elementary Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Alma College generally make around $42,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Spring Arbor University landed the #25 spot for elementary special education value this year. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,014. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the elementary special education program here. Elementary Special Education graduates of Spring Arbor University earn a median of $59,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Elementary Special Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary special education value ranking:
Other Elementary Special Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Elementary Special Education rankings across degree levels:
View All Elementary Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
