2023 Best Value Colleges for Special Education
603
Ranked Colleges
36,792
Degrees Awarded
$16,600
Avg Net Price*
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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