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2023 Best Value Colleges for Special Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

70 Ranked Colleges
2,681 Degrees Awarded
$11,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Special Education is the 29th most popular major in the country with 36,792 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, special education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $45,679 and had an average of $24,977 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 2,681 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,541 and $26,703 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 70 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in special education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality special education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the special education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Special Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 84 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,609 for Plains States Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Special Education Report

2
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Minot State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Minot State University is a public institution located in Minot, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $9,060 for Plains States Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MSU.

Read full report on Special Education at Minot State University

3

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 224 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #5 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,263 for Plains States Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Minnesota State Mankato

4
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Cloud State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 80 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University also took the #8 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,825 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at St. Cloud State University

5
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University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Dakota. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 130 students in 2020-2021.

UND also made our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $13,151 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UND.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at UND

6

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

UNL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,453 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Special Education at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

7
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University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 42 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $8,324 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at UMSL

8

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,386 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Special Education at Mizzou

9

With a ranking of #9, Northwest Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 117 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $10,608 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Special Education at Northwest

10
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 38 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State also made our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $12,963 for Plains States Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Winona State University

11

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school awarded 105 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $11,294 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at UNOMAHA

12

With a ranking of #12, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 3 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,427 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Special Education at Iowa State

13
UMary crest
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. UMary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMary has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Mary is $15,600 for Plains States Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at UMary

14
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Cape Girardeau, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $11,406 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Special Education at Southeast Missouri State University

15
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Truman State is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Truman State is $8,898 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Truman State Special Education Report

16

With a ranking of #16, Southwest Minnesota State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southwest Minnesota State University is a medium-sized school located in Marshall, Minnesota that handed out 26 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southwest Minnesota State University is $10,945 for Plains States Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Southwest Minnesota State University Special Education Report

17
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Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. WSC is a small public school situated in Wayne, Nebraska. It awarded 48 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,672 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wayne State College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full WSC Special Education Report

18

Fort Hays State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 117 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Fort Hays State University is $10,847 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Fort Hays State University Special Education Report

19

With a ranking of #19, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a public institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $14,194 for Plains States Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead Special Education Report

20
BVU crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa

Buena Vista University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Storm Lake, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend BVU is $14,348 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at BVU

21

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 62 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $13,144 for Plains States Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Missouri State University - Springfield

22
Pitt State crest
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, Kansas

Pittsburg State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Pittsburg, Kansas, this medium-sized public school handed out 43 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Pitt State is $10,742 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Pitt State Special Education Report

23
NSU crest
Northern State University
Aberdeen, South Dakota

Northern State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northern State University is a public institution located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern State University is $13,172 for Plains States Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Northern State University

24
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school awarded 145 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,288 for Plains States Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Kansas.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of Kansas Special Education Report

25
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Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 50 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,971 for plains states region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Emporia State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Emporia State University

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