2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #1 spot for value among general special education schools in California. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $83,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $79,384. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at West Valley College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #6 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #7 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. 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 Bakersfield placed #8 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #9 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno earned the #10 position for value in general special education this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $71,787. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Butte College came in at #11 for value in general special education this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $67,048. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $16,202. Early-career general special education graduates make about $68,093. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #13 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $77,631 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Foothill College came in at #14 for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento came in at #15 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $33,783. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay landed the #16 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $18,073. General Special Education graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $77,402 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #17 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $17,024. General Special Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $69,592 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Jose State University came in at #18 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #19 for value in general special education this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $53,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,709. General Special Education graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Redlands ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $63,411 early in their careers. Set against $27,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Redlands admits about 83% of applicants.
California Lutheran University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,560 in tuition and fees. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $68,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of La Verne landed the #23 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,470. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Ashford University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $39,515. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $41,048. Set against $39,515 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $30,426. Early-career general special education graduates make about $70,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general special education this year:
Notes and References
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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
