2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
For return on investment in special education, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. 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. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at College Of The Sequoias, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $10,288. Special Education graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for special education. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $74,460. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at West Valley College, which ranked #5. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. 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.
Saddleback College came in at #6 for value in special education this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Special Education graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. 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.
Golden West College placed #8 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,500. Special Education graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. 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. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Norco College placed #10 among the best values for special education. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College placed #11 among the best values for special education. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Special Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Santa Ana College landed the #13 spot for special education value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Special Education graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College placed #14 among the best values for special education. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
California State University Fullerton earned the #15 position for value in special education 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, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Riverside City College landed the #16 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the special education program here. 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 Bakersfield ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #18 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Sacramento City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
California State University Fresno ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $71,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Woodland Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Woodland. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,656 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,042 ten years after entry.
Butte College placed #22 among the best values for special education. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $13,302. Early-career special education graduates make about $67,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College came in at #23 for value in special education this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College placed #24 among the best values for special education. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
California State University Northridge earned the #25 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $16,202. Early-career special education graduates make about $68,093. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Special Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in special education:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 109 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
