2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Michigan

[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Oakland University tops our 2027 list of the best value special education schools in Michigan. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,972. Special Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $61,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,873 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,209. That is a strong return on a $29,873 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,608. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $40,508. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Western Michigan University one of the best values for special education. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $51,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $50,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,350 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $53,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,350 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Central Michigan University came in at #8 for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Special Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #9 position for value in special education this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,375. Special Education graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $57,308 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Spring Arbor University earned the #10 position for value in special education this year. Located in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,014. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $50,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Alma College landed the #11 spot for special education value this year. Located in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,552. Students borrow a median of $27,248 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Alma College earn a median of $42,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Hope College landed the #12 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $48,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
More Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.