2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Ohio
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Central State University tops our 2027 list of the best value special education schools in Ohio. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,058, while out-of-state students pay about $10,058. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $31,318. Special Education graduates of Central State University earn a median of $27,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at University Of Akron Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $40,389 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Youngstown State University earned it the #3 place for special education. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,125. Early-career special education graduates make about $40,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,273. Special Education graduates of College Of Mount St Joseph earn a median of $69,964 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,273 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Wright State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $26,899 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,213 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,899 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Toledo earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,073 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $47,722. Set against $22,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Shawnee State University placed #8 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $37,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio Wesleyan University landed the #9 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Delaware, Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,248 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,868 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Ohio Wesleyan University generally make around $31,531. That is a strong return on a $26,868 median debt. Ohio Wesleyan University admits about 56% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #10 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $43,217. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Marietta College came in at #11 for value in special education this year. Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $39,652 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Marietta College generally make around $79,641. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for special education value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $43,944. Set against $26,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Ashland University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,210. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Special Education graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $45,537 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University placed #14 among the best values for special education. Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,193. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,602. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Mount Vernon Nazarene University generally make around $46,853. Set against $26,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Vernon Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants.
Lourdes College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Sylvania, Lourdes College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,370 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,668. Early-career special education graduates make about $75,250. That is a strong return on a $29,668 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for special education. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,313. Special Education graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $47,648 early in their careers. Set against $26,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rio Grande earned the #17 position for value in special education this year. University Of Rio Grande is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Rio Grande. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,560. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,044 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Rio Grande generally make around $46,611. That is a strong return on a $27,044 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #18 spot for special education value this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,742 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,104. That is a strong return on a $24,742 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,307 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $52,975. Set against $27,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Miami University Oxford ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,559. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Dayton placed #21 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,612. Special Education graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $45,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
Xavier University landed the #22 spot for special education value this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,614. Early-career special education graduates make about $52,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
More Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
