2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in Florida
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
St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among general special education schools in Florida. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #2 place for general special education. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $9,671 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $53,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #3 place for general special education. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,147. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #4 place for general special education. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $51,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $49,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,931 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $46,866 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,931 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #7 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $51,538. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #8 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,509 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #9 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $21,620. General Special Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $53,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida State University earned the #10 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $22,709 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Broward College came in at #11 for value in general special education this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,830, while out-of-state students pay about $8,952. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $13,110. General Special Education graduates of Broward College earn a median of $49,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern University came in at #12 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $23,460. General Special Education graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $39,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,460 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Nova Southeastern University landed the #13 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $55,480. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
