2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in South Carolina

[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value special education schools.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in South Carolina
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
Francis Marion University earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in South Carolina. Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,577 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $41,456. Set against $30,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coastal Carolina University earned it the #2 place for special education. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $45,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lander University earned it the #3 place for special education. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Students from in state pay about $11,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,064 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $37,548. Set against $26,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College South Carolina is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,054. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,158. Special Education graduates of Columbia College South Carolina earn a median of $48,339 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,158 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at College Of Charleston, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $39,832. Set against $24,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Clemson University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,783. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $53,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,537 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $53,623 early in their careers. Set against $24,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 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.