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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $0-$30k)

523 Ranked Colleges
19,550 Degrees Awarded
$25,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Special Education is the 39th most popular major in the country with 33,249 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, special education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,879 and had an average of $28,500 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 19,550 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 523 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in special education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great special education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the special education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools

The special ed school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

Out of the 523 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #1 spot on the list. Johns Hopkins is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 19 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins also took the #1 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Johns Hopkins University Special Education Report

#2

Hunter College

New York, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Hunter College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Hunter is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 315 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Hunter did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Hunter are $20,828.

Full Hunter College Special Education Report

#3

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. UF is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 34 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130.

Full University of Florida Special Education Report

#4

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 523 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #4 spot on the list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624.

Read more about Special Education at Vanderbilt University

#5

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York

Out of the 523 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Brooklyn College landed the #5 spot on the list. Brooklyn College is a fairly large public school situated in Brooklyn, New York. It awarded 171 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brooklyn College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brooklyn College are $20,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Brooklyn College Special Education Report

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 73 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, Cal State LA is in the top on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at California State University - Los Angeles

#7

The City College of New York

New York, New York

The City College of New York ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. New York, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 54 students in 2019-2020.

CCNY also claimed a top spot on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CCNY are $20,832.

Read full report on Special Education at The City College of New York

#8

Lehman College

Bronx, New York

Lehman College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bronx, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Lehman also did well on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lehman College are $21,000, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Lehman College

#9

Queens College

Queens, New York

Queens College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Queens College is a fairly large school located in Queens, New York that handed out 62 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, QC is in the top on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at QC are $21,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at QC

Top 10% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, UW - Madison is in the top on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at UW - Madison

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, UW Seattle is in the top on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

With a ranking of #12, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 82 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Read more about Special Education at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 8 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also claimed a top spot on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Read full report on Special Education at UIUC

California State University - Fresno landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 28 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fresno Special Education Report

With a ranking of #15, Florida International University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida International University is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 65 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Florida International University

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large school located in Carson, California that handed out 11 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUDH are $17,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at California State University - Dominguez Hills

#17

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 137 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of West Florida are $24,894.

Read more about Special Education at UWF

#18

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. UMCP is a public institution located in College Park, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, UMCP is in the top on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at UMCP

#19

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCF is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 43 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCF are $28,657, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at University of Central Florida

California State University - Long Beach ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 19 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Read full report on Special Education at California State University - Long Beach

#21

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, New York

College of Staten Island CUNY ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSI is a fairly large school located in Staten Island, New York that handed out 46 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at College of Staten Island CUNY are $21,080, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at College of Staten Island CUNY

#22

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
Top 15% in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, IU Bloomington also did well on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full IU Bloomington Special Education Report

Texas A&M International University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized public school situated in Laredo, Texas. It awarded 18 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M International University are $15,106.

Read more about Special Education at Texas A&M International University

#24

Towson University

Towson, Maryland

Towson University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Towson University is a public institution located in Towson, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 66 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, Towson is in the top on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Towson University are $18,972, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Towson

#25

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. California State University - San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 62 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at CSUSB

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#28

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#29

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#30

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#31

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#32

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida
#33

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#34

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas
#35

Centenary University

Hackettstown, New Jersey
#36

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
#37

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#38

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#39

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida
#40

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
#41

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Whitewater, Wisconsin
#42

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah
#44

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
#46

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
51 Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA
53 Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX
54 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
55 Boston University Boston, MA
56 St. Joseph’s College - New York Brooklyn, NY
56 The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX
58 MSU Texas Wichita Falls, TX
59 University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK
60 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ
61 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
62 Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, NJ
63 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
64 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
65 The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ
Rank College Location
66 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
67 Daemen College Amherst, NY
68 Minot State University Minot, ND
69 Indiana University - South Bend South Bend, IN
70 Rhode Island College Providence, RI
71 Arizona State University - Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
71 Marshall University Huntington, WV
72 SUNY New Paltz New Paltz, NY
73 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI
74 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
75 Iowa State University Ames, IA
76 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
77 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
78 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL
78 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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