2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Arkansas
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
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2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Arkansas
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
Leading the list is Arkansas Tech University, our #1 best value for special education in Arkansas. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,257 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $46,981. That is a strong return on a $23,257 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #2 makes Arkansas State University Main Campus one of the best values for special education. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $50,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,911 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,093. Special Education graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $47,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Arkansas earned it the #4 place for special education. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,250. Early-career special education graduates make about $45,044. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Henderson State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,244, compared with $10,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,234 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Henderson State University generally make around $40,131. That is a strong return on a $23,234 median debt.
University Of Arkansas placed #6 among the best values for special education. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $43,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Harding University came in at #7 for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,962. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
More Special Education Rankings
View All Special Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
