2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Connecticut

[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Connecticut
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 Connecticut State University tops our 2027 list of the best value special education schools in Connecticut. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,665. That is a strong return on a $24,340 median debt. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot 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. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,330. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Connecticut came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,637. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Saint Joseph College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,278. Students borrow a median of $27,798 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Saint Joseph College generally make around $56,400. That is a strong return on a $27,798 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at University Of Hartford, which ranked #5. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,075. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $54,418 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hartford admits about 96% of applicants.
Quinnipiac University landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Students borrow a median of $25,926 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $55,238. That is a strong return on a $25,926 median debt. Quinnipiac University admits about 72% of applicants.
Sacred Heart University placed #7 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,404. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,831. Early-career special education graduates make about $62,864. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
More Special Education Rankings
View All Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.