2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Moorpark College tops our 2026 list of the best value special education schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for special education. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,886. Special Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $74,460 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $83,983 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for special education. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #6 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $5,707. Early-career special education graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
West Valley College landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #9 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Special Education graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton landed the #10 spot for special education value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $79,384. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Santiago Canyon College placed #11 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College placed #12 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Santa Ana College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #15 for value in special education this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #16 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Citrus College earned the #17 position for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Riverside City College earned the #18 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Special Education graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno earned the #19 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,598. Early-career special education graduates make about $71,787. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #20 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $9,250. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,250 median debt.
Sacramento City College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
Butte College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $67,048. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Woodland Community College came in at #23 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $7,656. Median earnings reach $40,042 ten years out.
Palomar College landed the #24 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Bakersfield College earned the #25 position for value in special education this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $9,419. Special Education graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for special education this year:
Narrow Special Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 144 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
