by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value special education schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Mary Baldwin College earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in Virginia. Located in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,187. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,562 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $60,386 early in their careers. Set against $29,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Radford University earned it the #2 place for special education. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,514 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Radford University earn a median of $50,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,514 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Old Dominion University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $54,351. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $62,342. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at College Of William And Mary, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,935. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $53,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Lynchburg College earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $36,750. Early-career special education graduates make about $107,159. The acceptance rate is 43%.
James Madison University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,218. Early-career special education graduates make about $56,055. That is a strong return on a $21,218 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #9 for value in special education this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $52,470. Set against $23,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Liberty University came in at #10 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,875 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $45,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.