by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value special education schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Miami Dade College earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in Florida. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $9,671 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #2 place for special education. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Special Education graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,147. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #3 place for special education. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,139. Special Education graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Daytona State College earned it the #4 place for special education. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Special Education graduates carry a median of $14,227 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $43,320. Set against $14,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $56,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Florida International University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $49,081. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $51,390. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Florida State University landed the #8 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,709 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida placed #9 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $13,509 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $51,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #10 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,620. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,931 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $46,866 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Broward College came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,830, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $13,110. Early-career special education graduates make about $49,262. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barry University earned the #13 position for value in special education this year. Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $34,350. Special Education graduates carry a median of $31,180 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Barry University earn a median of $64,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,180 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Florida Memorial University earned the #14 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Miami Gardens, Florida Memorial University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,174. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $31,300. Special Education graduates of Florida Memorial University earn a median of $69,656 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #15 position for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $55,480. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.
Flagler College St Augustine landed the #16 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Augustine, Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,900. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,547. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Flagler College St Augustine generally make around $33,583. Set against $25,547 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Southeastern University came in at #17 for value in special education this year. Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,460. Early-career special education graduates make about $39,595. That is a strong return on a $23,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.