2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in the New England Region
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for special education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in the New England Region
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 Worcester State University, our #1 best value for special education in the New England Region. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. Set against $24,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Rhode Island College one of the best values for special education. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,851 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $57,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Fitchburg State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,840. Early-career special education graduates make about $59,740. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Granite State College one of the best values for special education. Granite State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $7,724, with out-of-state students paying around $9,284. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,770 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Granite State College generally make around $54,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Salem State University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,176. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,024. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,572. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $53,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Framingham State University came in at #8 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Students borrow a median of $25,872 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $49,006 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,872 median debt. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $60,665. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
White Mountains Community College placed #10 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of Berlin, White Mountains Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,300 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Special Education graduates of White Mountains Community College earn a median of $60,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt.
Westfield State University earned the #11 position for value in special education this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,579. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $65,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Maine ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $49,410 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #14 position for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,325. Students borrow a median of $27,854 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn a median of $57,569 early in their careers. Set against $27,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,106. Special Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #16 spot for special education value this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $54,330. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont landed the #17 spot for special education value this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $52,580 early in their careers. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Plymouth State University earned the #18 position for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Students borrow a median of $26,972 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $44,487. That is a strong return on a $26,972 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Boston University earn a median of $59,238 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Connecticut came in at #20 for value in special education this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,637. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,784. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
American International College landed the #21 spot for special education value this year. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $44,230. Special Education graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,590. Set against $30,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Simmons College landed the #22 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,874 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $58,142. Set against $26,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Regis College placed #23 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,680. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,441 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Regis College earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Lasell College landed the #24 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,040. Students borrow a median of $26,808 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $57,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saint Joseph College earned the #25 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,278 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,798 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $56,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for special education this year:
Narrow Special Education Schools by State
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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
