2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in New York
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value special education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in New York
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
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $77,182 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $77,678. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for special education. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $13,213. Special Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $79,551 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for special education. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $76,836. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for special education. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Special Education graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $74,496. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $75,212. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #7 among the best values for special education. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $38,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $49,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Empire State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #10 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $22,610 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $35,330. That is a strong return on a $22,610 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Mercy College earned the #11 position for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $61,432. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Potsdam ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,540. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. That is a strong return on a $26,540 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $53,531. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #14 for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,757. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $39,724. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny At Albany landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,981. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #16 position for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $56,109. Set against $24,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University earned the #17 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,345. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,815. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
Daemen College came in at #18 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,218. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,358. Special Education graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $63,542 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,358 median debt. Daemen College admits about 68% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #19 for value in special education this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,530. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $63,285. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Canisius College earned the #20 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,200. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $52,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Suny At Geneseo earned the #21 position for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $37,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
St Francis College earned the #22 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, St Francis College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,775. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,966 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from St Francis College generally make around $40,678. Set against $24,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Josephs College New York came in at #23 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,550. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York generally make around $46,124. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College came in at #24 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,450 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of $64,804 early in their careers. Set against $24,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattanville College came in at #25 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,604. Students borrow a median of $25,372 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Manhattanville College earn a median of $67,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,372 median debt. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Special Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in special education:
More Special Education Rankings
View All Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
