College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

70 Ranked Colleges
2,681 Degrees Awarded
$15,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 36,792 people earned their degree in special education, making the major the 29th most popular in the United States. 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 Getting Aid” 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Special Ed Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region special ed students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Special Education in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1
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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Minot State University landed the #1 spot on the list. MSU is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 28 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,205 for plains states region special ed students with aid per year to attend Minot State University.

Read full report on Special Education at Minot State University

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 224 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region special ed students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato

3
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 #3 on our 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,581 for Plains States Region Special Ed students with aid per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

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 more about Special Education at Saint Cloud State University

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 84 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region special ed students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Special Education Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska at Omaha. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 105 ’s special ed degrees 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. It costs about $13,914 for plains states region special ed students with aid per year to attend UNOMAHA.

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

6

University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. University of Missouri - St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - St Louis is $12,232 for plains states region special ed students with aid.

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 more about Special Education at University of Missouri - St Louis

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school awarded 60 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

UNL also took the #3 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for plains states region special ed students with aid.

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

8
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of North Dakota is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 130 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region special ed students with aid list, UND has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,966 for plains states region special ed students with aid per year to attend UND.

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%.

Read more about Special Education at UND

9
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Winona State University is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $17,634 for plains states region special ed students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Winona State University

10

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 117 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,925 for Plains States Region Special Ed students with aid per year to attend Northwest Missouri State University.

Full Northwest Special Education Report

11

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 42 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

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 $16,559 for plains states region special ed students with aid per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Special Education Report

12
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It awarded 52 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for plains states region special ed students with aid.

Read more about Special Education at Southeast Missouri State University

13
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Wayne, Nebraska, and it awarded 48 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WSC is $14,141 for Plains States Region Special Ed students with aid.

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 WSC

14

Fort Hays State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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.

It costs about $13,189 for Plains States Region Special Ed students with aid per year to attend FHSU.

Read more about Special Education at Fort Hays State University

15

With a ranking of #15, Southwest Minnesota State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,872 for Plains States Region Special Ed students with aid per year to attend Southwest Minnesota State University.

Read full report on Special Education at Southwest Minnesota State University

16
UMary crest
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Mary is a small school located in Bismarck, North Dakota that handed out 26 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

UMary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Mary is $18,572 for Plains States Region Special Ed students with aid.

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%.

Read more about Special Education at UMary

17

Pittsburg State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Pittsburg, Kansas, this medium-sized public school handed out 43 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Pitt State is $14,575 for plains states region special ed students with aid.

Full Pitt State Special Education Report

18

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

Missouri State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,718 for plains states region special ed students with aid per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

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

19

Iowa State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Iowa State University is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 3 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $16,002 for Plains States Region Special Ed students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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%.

Read more about Special Education at Iowa State University

20
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCM is a fairly large public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 28 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,058 for plains states region special ed students with aid per year to attend University of Central Missouri.

Read more about Special Education at UCM

21
NSU crest
Northern State University
Aberdeen, South Dakota

Northern State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and it awarded 21 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for NSU is $16,695 for plains states region special ed students with aid.

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 NSU

22
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 8 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $19,401 for plains states region special ed students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Iowa Special Education Report

23

Emporia State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Emporia, Kansas, this medium-sized public school handed out 50 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Emporia State University is $14,794 for plains states region special ed students with aid.

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 more about Special Education at Emporia State University

24
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 145 students in 2020-2021.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend KU is $20,257 for Plains States Region Special Ed students with aid.

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

Read full report on Special Education at University of Kansas

25
Mayville State University crest
Mayville State University
Mayville, North Dakota

Mayville State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Mayville, North Dakota, and it awarded 4 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Mayville State University is $13,856 for plains states region special ed students with aid.

Full Mayville State University Special Education Report

Switch to a More Focused Major

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options