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2023 Best Value Colleges for Special Education

603 Ranked Colleges
36,792 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Special Ed Schools

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools” ranking analyzed 603 colleges that offered a degree in special education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality special education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the special education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools

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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” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Special Ed Schools.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Special Education

1
WGU crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Governors University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools list. WGU is a large school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 1,256 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, WGU also did well on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $9,969 for Special Ed students per year to attend WGU.

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%.

Full WGU Special Education Report

2

Out of the 603 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #2 spot on the list. Provo, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, BYU is in the top on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Brigham Young University - Provo is $13,474 for Special Ed students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at BYU

3
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Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minot State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools list. Minot State University is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 28 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, MSU also did well on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Minot State University is $12,205 for Special Ed students.

Full MSU Special Education Report

4
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Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

Out of the 603 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Grand Canyon University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this large private for-profit school awarded 2,095 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Grand Canyon University is also in the top of our “Best Special Education Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. It costs about $20,585 for Special Ed students per year to attend Grand Canyon University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Grand Canyon University

5
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Touro College
New York, New York

Out of the 603 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Touro College landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 645 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Touro did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Touro is $22,259 for special ed students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Touro

6
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Morningside College
Sioux City, Iowa

Morningside College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools ranking. Morningside is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 102 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $22,350 for special ed students per year to attend Morningside.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Morningside College

7
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Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools ranking. Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno Pacific also claimed a top spot on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno Pacific University is $19,029 for Special Ed students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 Fresno Pacific

8
Top 15% in overall quality
$48,067 Average Early-Career Earnings

Arizona State University - Skysong ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools list. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this large public school handed out 1,280 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, ASU - Skysong also did well on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Arizona State University - Skysong

9
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University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, Kentucky

University of the Cumberlands came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools ranking. University of the Cumberlands is a fairly large school located in Williamsburg, Kentucky that handed out 112 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cumberlands is $13,476 for special ed students.

Read more about Special Education at Cumberlands

10

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools ranking, coming in at #10. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 224 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Minnesota State Mankato is in the top on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for special ed students.

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 full report on Special Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato

11

With a ranking of #11, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools list. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a fairly large school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 133 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UW - Eau Claire is also in the top of our “Best Special Education Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. It costs about $16,051 for Special Ed students per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.

Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Special Education Report

12

Brigham Young University - Idaho came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools ranking. BYU - I is located in Rexburg, Idaho and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,698 for special ed students per year to attend BYU - I.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at BYU - I

13

Illinois State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 214 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. It costs about $20,830 for special ed students per year to attend Illinois State University.

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 full report on Special Education at Illinois State University

14
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, Delaware

Wilmington University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools list. Wilmington University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in New Castle, Delaware. It awarded 119 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wilmington University is $15,186 for Special Ed students.

Read more about Special Education at Wilmington University

15
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, New York

Hunter College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools list. Hunter is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 360 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our special ed students list, Hunter has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools” ranking. It costs about $2,158 for Special Ed students per year to attend Hunter.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Hunter

16
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University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools list. UMary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bismarck, North Dakota. It awarded 26 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UMary also did well on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for UMary is $18,572 for Special Ed students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Mary Special Education Report

17
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools ranking. Winona State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 38 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State excels when it comes to special ed quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. It costs about $17,634 for Special Ed students per year to attend Winona State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Winona State University

18
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Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools ranking. Wayne State College is a small public school situated in Wayne, Nebraska. It awarded 48 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wayne State College is $14,141 for Special Ed students.

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 Wayne State College

19

With a ranking of #19, Arkansas State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools list. Arkansas State University - Main Campus is located in Jonesboro, Arkansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 197 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,189 for Special Ed students per year to attend Arkansas State University - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at A-State

20
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools ranking. Lynchburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 494 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Liberty University is $29,382 for Special Ed students.

Read more about Special Education at Liberty University

21
NWC crest
Northwestern College
Orange City, Iowa

Northwestern College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools ranking, coming in at #21. Orange City, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend NWC is $22,410 for special ed students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern College Special Education Report

22
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools ranking. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Central Michigan is in the top on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $16,007 for Special Ed students.

The low undergrad 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 Central Michigan

23

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools list. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 74 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Kutztown University excels when it comes to special ed quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is $23,227 for Special Ed students.

Read full report on Special Education at Kutztown University

24
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools ranking. 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.

St. Cloud State University excels when it comes to special ed quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Special Education Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for Special Ed students.

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 Saint Cloud State University

25

Concordia University, Saint Paul came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools ranking. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 46 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,880 for special ed students per year to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Concordia University, Saint Paul Special Education Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Special Ed Schools

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

26
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McDaniel College
Westminster, Maryland
27
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Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas
28
29
30
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University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota
31
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Gordon College
Wenham, Massachusetts
32
33
34
35
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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
36
Carroll U crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, Wisconsin
37
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Seattle University
Seattle, Washington
38
PLNU crest
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California
39
Endicott crest
Endicott College
Beverly, Massachusetts
40
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
41
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University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
42
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Brandman University
Irvine, California
42
44
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The College of New Jersey
Ewing, New Jersey
45
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Northern State University
Aberdeen, South Dakota
46
47
48
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William Carey University
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
49
50
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Special Ed Schools

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

RankCollegeLocation
51University of Wisconsin - OshkoshOshkosh, WI
52Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaShippensburg, PA
53University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND
54Minnesota State University - MoorheadMoorhead, MN
54Fitchburg State UniversityFitchburg, MA
56Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL
57Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL
58University of Akron Main CampusAkron, OH
59Webster UniversitySaint Louis, MO
60Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ
61Towson UniversityTowson, MD
62Concordia University, ChicagoRiver Forest, IL
63Bowling Green State University - Main CampusBowling Green, OH
64Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles, MO
65Missouri State University - SpringfieldSpringfield, MO
RankCollegeLocation
66Lamar UniversityBeaumont, TX
67Whitworth UniversitySpokane, WA
68Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake, IA
69Mississippi CollegeClinton, MS
70University of Wisconsin - WhitewaterWhitewater, WI
71West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA
72Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN
73Wilson CollegeChambersburg, PA
74Chadron State CollegeChadron, NE
75University of West AlabamaLivingston, AL
76University of North TexasDenton, TX
77Saint Joseph’s UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
78National Louis UniversityChicago, IL
79Granite State CollegeConcord, NH
80Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA
81Piedmont CollegeDemorest, GA
82Cardinal Stritch UniversityMilwaukee, WI
83Western Oregon UniversityMonmouth, OR
84Montclair State UniversityMontclair, NJ
85Aurora UniversityAurora, IL
86Fort Hays State UniversityHays, KS
87SUNY CortlandCortland, NY
88University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC
89Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
90Freed-Hardeman UniversityHenderson, TN
RankCollegeLocation
90Lee UniversityCleveland, TN
90The University of Arizona Global CampusSan Diego, CA
90University of ScrantonScranton, PA

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References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

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