2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 best value for special education in Washington. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Special Education graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $73,549. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Washington University earned it the #2 place for special education. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $41,883 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,284 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $52,912 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,284 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
City University Of Seattle is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,929. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of City University Of Seattle earn a median of $76,698 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Gonzaga University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of $58,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
