2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
Leading the list is College Of Southern Nevada, our #1 best value for general special education in the United States. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $9,250. General Special Education graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,250 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Santiago Canyon College one of the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $5,500. General Special Education graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at West Valley College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Foothill College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $10,288. General Special Education graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island placed #6 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,940 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $13,302. Early-career general special education graduates make about $67,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #8 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
Other General Special Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Special Education rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 813 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-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.
