2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among general special education schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $14,430. Early-career general special education graduates make about $83,983. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for general special education. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $79,384 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $74,460. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at California State University Bakersfield, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. 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.
West Valley College placed #7 among the best values for general special education. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College landed the #9 spot for general special education value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $11,196. General Special Education graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
California State University Fresno placed #10 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $15,598. Early-career general special education graduates make about $71,787. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #11 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge came in at #12 for value in general special education this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $68,093 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #13 position for value in general special education this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $77,631. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Butte College earned the #14 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College placed #15 among the best values for general special education. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento landed the #16 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $33,783. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #17 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $53,933 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California State University East Bay came in at #18 for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $77,402 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Leeward Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,214, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,776 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Leeward Community College earn a median of $21,784 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Francisco State University came in at #20 for value in general special education this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $69,592 early in their careers. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #21 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $66,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #22 spot for general special education value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $16,481. Early-career general special education graduates make about $73,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University came in at #24 for value in general special education this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,475. General Special Education graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $56,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Eastern Washington University landed the #25 spot for general special education value this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $41,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value General Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general special education this year:
Narrow General Special Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general special education education at a price that pays off.
