2024 Best Value Colleges for Special Education in the Southwest Region
49
Ranked Colleges
5,829
Degrees Awarded
$14,000
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 36,792 people earned their degree in special education, making the major the 29th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, special education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $45,679 and had an average of $24,977 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southwest region, there were 5,829 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,069 and $23,433 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking analyzed 49 colleges that offered a degree in special education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great special education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the special education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region” list to help you make the college decision.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region special ed students.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Special Education in the Southwest Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Arizona State University - Skysong. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region. This large school is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it awarded 1,280 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Skysong, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Special Education at Arizona State University - Skysong
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Canyon University. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this large private for-profit school awarded 2,095 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.
Grand Canyon University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Canyon University is $20,585 for southwest region special ed students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Special Education at Grand Canyon University
Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Lamar University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Beaumont, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 542 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.
Lamar University also took the #3 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $11,739 for Southwest Region Special Ed students per year to attend Lamar University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Lamar University Special Education Report
Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #4 spot on the list. Texas Tech University is a large school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 129 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.
Texas Tech also made our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech is $16,194 for Southwest Region Special Ed students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Texas Tech University Special Education Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Arizona University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region. NAU is a large school located in Flagstaff, Arizona that handed out 181 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at NAU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northern Arizona University is $14,308 for Southwest Region Special Ed students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Northern Arizona University Special Education Report
University of North Texas came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.
UNT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $14,122 for southwest region special ed students per year to attend University of North Texas.
Full University of North Texas Special Education Report
University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #7. University of Phoenix - Arizona is a private for-profit institution located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 111 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southwest region special ed students list, UOPX - Arizona has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UOPX - Arizona is $13,038 for Southwest Region Special Ed students.
Read full report on Special Education at UOPX - Arizona
Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. ENMU - Main Campus is a public institution located in Portales, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus is $8,961 for southwest region special ed students.
Read full report on Special Education at ENMU - Main Campus
MSU Texas landed the #9 spot on the 2024 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Wichita Falls, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 48 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.
MSU Texas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $10,407 for southwest region special ed students per year to attend MSU Texas.
Read more about Special Education at MSU Texas
New Mexico Highlands University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #10. New Mexico Highlands University is located in Las Vegas, New Mexico and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at New Mexico Highlands University, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for New Mexico Highlands University is $9,518 for Southwest Region Special Ed students.
Full New Mexico Highlands University Special Education Report
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a large public school situated in Edinburg, Texas. It awarded 142 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.
UT Rio Grande Valley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Rio Grande Valley is $3,743 for southwest region special ed students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Special Education at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Northeastern State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #12. Northeastern State University is a public institution located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
NSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern State University is $10,094 for southwest region special ed students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Northeastern State University Special Education Report
Texas Woman’s University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #13. TWU is a fairly large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 28 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.
TWU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Woman’s University is $9,684 for southwest region special ed students.
Read full report on Special Education at TWU
Lubbock Christian University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. LCU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 6 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Lubbock Christian University is $25,823 for southwest region special ed students.
Read full report on Special Education at LCU
University of St. Thomas ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region list. University of St. Thomas is a private not-for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UST not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $18,510 for southwest region special ed students per year to attend UST.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Special Education at UST
With a ranking of #16, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region list. Austin, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.
UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $18,350 for Southwest Region Special Ed students per year to attend The University of Texas at Austin.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Special Education at UT Austin
With a ranking of #17, Texas State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region list. Texas State is located in San Marcos, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.
Texas State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas State is $14,887 for southwest region special ed students.
Read full report on Special Education at Texas State
East Central University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. East Central University is a public institution located in Ada, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend ECU is $10,496 for Southwest Region Special Ed students.
Full ECU Special Education Report
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region list. Weatherford, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,202 for Southwest Region Special Ed students per year to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
Read full report on Special Education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University
With a ranking of #20, Sam Houston State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region list. This large school is located in Huntsville, Texas, and it awarded 25 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Sam Houston State University is $15,035 for southwest region special ed students.
Read full report on Special Education at SHSU
University of Central Oklahoma ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region list. Edmond, Oklahoma is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Central Oklahoma is $17,339 for southwest region special ed students.
Read more about Special Education at UCO
With a ranking of #22, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region list. Texas A&M University - College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southwest region special ed students list, Texas A&M College Station has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M College Station is $18,919 for Southwest Region Special Ed students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Special Education at Texas A&M University - College Station
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region list. University of Oklahoma is a public institution located in Norman, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southwest region special ed students list, University of Oklahoma has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $21,122 for southwest region special ed students per year to attend University of Oklahoma.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Special Education at University of Oklahoma
The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region list. UTEP is a large school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 27 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at El Paso is $9,000 for southwest region special ed students.
Full The University of Texas at El Paso Special Education Report
New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Southwest Region list. This fairly large school is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and it awarded 25 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at NMSU Main Campus, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus is $10,428 for Southwest Region Special Ed students.
Full NMSU Main Campus Special Education Report
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