2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in New Jersey
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for special education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in New Jersey
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
For return on investment in special education, no school beat Saint Peters College this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Students borrow a median of $22,969 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $59,785 early in their careers. Set against $22,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kean University earned it the #2 place for special education. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Special Education graduates of Kean University earn a median of $57,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,286. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $69,017. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Ramapo College Of New Jersey one of the best values for special education. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,014 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. Set against $24,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at New Jersey City University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,107 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $65,141. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #6 position for value in special education this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,644. Special Education graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $62,115 early in their careers. Set against $25,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $66,244. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Centenary College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,732. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,081. Special Education graduates of Centenary College earn a median of $46,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #9 position for value in special education this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $64,297. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Rider University landed the #10 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Rider University earn a median of $64,258 early in their careers. Set against $26,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #11 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Students borrow a median of $25,228 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $64,759. Set against $25,228 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Monmouth University landed the #12 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,847. Special Education graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $62,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University earned the #13 position for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,000. Early-career special education graduates make about $61,598. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Felician College placed #14 among the best values for special education. Felician College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lodi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,300. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,500. Early-career special education graduates make about $56,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
More Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
