2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Kentucky
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 9 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Kentucky
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
Our analysis ranked Murray State University the best value for a degree in special education in Kentucky. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $20,775 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $36,197. Set against $20,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Morehead State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,878. Early-career special education graduates make about $36,999. Set against $26,878 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $41,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for special education. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,381. Early-career special education graduates make about $41,278. Set against $28,381 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Georgetown College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,840. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Georgetown College generally make around $46,704. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #6 position for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $43,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Louisville landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $56,686 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky placed #8 among the best values for special education. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $41,217 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Campbellsville University placed #9 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,998. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,148. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,474. That is a strong return on a $24,148 median debt. Campbellsville University admits about 80% of applicants.
More Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
