2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Tennessee
[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.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value special education schools.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Tennessee
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 University Of Memphis, our #1 best value for special education in Tennessee. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $23,397 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $44,664. That is a strong return on a $23,397 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $13,975. Special Education graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $71,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Lipscomb University one of the best values for special education. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $51,798. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
More Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
