2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Massachusetts
[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 21 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Massachusetts
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
Worcester State University tops our 2027 list of the best value special education schools in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $24,451 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. That is a strong return on a $24,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fitchburg State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Students borrow a median of $25,840 to complete the special education program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Salem State University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $58,024 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Framingham State University, which ranked #4. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,872. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bridgewater State University earned it the #5 place for special education. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. 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%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Westfield State University earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,579. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #8 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,106. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #9 position for value in special education this year. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chicopee. In-state tuition and fees average $43,325. Students borrow a median of $27,854 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms generally make around $57,569. Set against $27,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Boston University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $59,238. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
American International College came in at #11 for value in special education this year. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,230. Students borrow a median of $30,390 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of American International College earn a median of $60,590 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,390 median debt. American International College admits about 100% of applicants.
Simmons College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. 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. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Regis College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,680. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,441. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Regis College generally make around $50,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Lasell College came in at #14 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,040. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,808 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Lasell College earn a median of $57,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,808 median debt. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
Assumption College landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,356. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,995. Early-career special education graduates make about $55,180. Set against $26,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Assumption College admits about 83% of applicants.
Lesley University landed the #16 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Students borrow a median of $24,818 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $58,625. Set against $24,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Cambridge College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Boston, Cambridge College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,378 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,776 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $50,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stonehill College landed the #18 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,370. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,603 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $45,704. That is a strong return on a $25,603 median debt. Stonehill College admits about 66% of applicants.
Merrimack College earned the #19 position for value in special education this year. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,962. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Endicott College earned the #20 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Students borrow a median of $25,973 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $60,292 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,973 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Boston College landed the #21 spot for special education value this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $59,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
More Special Education Rankings
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
