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2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k

21 Ranked Colleges
355 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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.

Across Tennessee, there were 355 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,620 and $23,730 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Special Education (Income $48-$75k) in Tennessee

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 80 students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt University is $8,086 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Special Education at Vanderbilt

#2

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Middle Tennessee State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee special ed students whose families make $48-$75k list, Middle Tennessee State University has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $14,822 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Special Education at Middle Tennessee State University

#3

Christian Brothers University

Memphis, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Christian Brothers University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k list. Christian Brothers is a small school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 5 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Christian Brothers also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Christian Brothers is $12,013 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Special Education at Christian Brothers

#4

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, Tennessee

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Tennessee Wesleyan University landed the #4 spot on the list. This small school is located in Athens, Tennessee, and it awarded 5 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

TWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for TWU is $12,108 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full TWU Special Education Report

#5

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Freed-Hardeman University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k. FHU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FHU, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend FHU is $14,598 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Special Education at FHU

#6

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, Tennessee

Lincoln Memorial University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. LMU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Harrogate, Tennessee. It awarded 6 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

LMU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Memorial University is $15,565 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low 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 LMU

With a ranking of #7, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k list. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

UT Chattanooga did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $14,601 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UT Chattanooga.

Read more about Special Education at UT Chattanooga

#8

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 62 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

UofM also took the #5 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $15,287 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UofM.

Full UofM Special Education Report

#9

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

Tennessee Technological University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Tennessee Technological University is a fairly large school located in Cookeville, Tennessee that handed out 11 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Tennessee Tech University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $16,682 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Tennessee Technological University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Tennessee Technological University

With a ranking of #10, The University of Tennessee - Martin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Martin, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

UT Martin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. It costs about $13,766 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UT Martin.

Read full report on Special Education at UT Martin

#11

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. East Tennessee State University is a fairly large public school situated in Johnson City, Tennessee. It awarded 24 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

ETSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend East Tennessee State University is $16,359 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full East Tennessee State University Special Education Report

#12

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #12, Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k list. Trevecca Nazarene University is a small school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 12 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

TNU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $17,587 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend TNU.

Read more about Special Education at Trevecca Nazarene University

#13

Lee University

Cleveland, Tennessee

Lee University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Lee University is located in Cleveland, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Lee University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lee University is $17,884 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Special Education at Lee University

#14

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Tennessee State University also took the #21 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $14,540 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Tennessee State University.

Full Tennessee State University Special Education Report

#15

Carson - Newman University

Jefferson City, Tennessee

Carson - Newman University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Jefferson City, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carson - Newman, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carson - Newman University is $18,751 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Special Education at Carson - Newman

#16

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Austin Peay State University is a fairly large public school situated in Clarksville, Tennessee. It awarded 10 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Peay State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Austin Peay State University is $16,243 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Special Education at Austin Peay State University

#17

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #17, Lipscomb University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lipscomb, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lipscomb is $25,044 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Lipscomb

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UT Knoxville is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

UT Knoxville also took the #8 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Knoxville is $23,211 for Tennessee Special Ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.

Full UT Knoxville Special Education Report

#19

Tusculum University

Greeneville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #19, Tusculum University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k list. Tusculum is located in Greeneville, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our tennessee special ed students whose families make $48-$75k list, Tusculum has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $18,995 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Tusculum University.

Read more about Special Education at Tusculum University

#20

Union University

Jackson, Tennessee

With a ranking of #20, Union University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k list. Jackson, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Union also took the #7 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Union University is $25,952 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Union University Special Education Report

#21

Cumberland University

Lebanon, Tennessee

Cumberland University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. CU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lebanon, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $28,079 for tennessee special ed students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CU.

Read full report on Special Education at CU

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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