2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 45 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Texas A And M International University tops our 2027 list of the best value special education schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Special Education graduates carry a median of $18,229 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,200 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $46,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,200 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $14,694. Early-career special education graduates make about $55,668. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,277. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $49,087. Set against $19,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $10,112. Early-career special education graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,797. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Northern New Mexico College earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,064, compared with $14,328 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #8 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,081. Special Education graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $60,024 early in their careers. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Lamar University came in at #10 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $60,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Western New Mexico University came in at #11 for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #12 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,819. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $65,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dine College earned the #14 position for value in special education this year. Located in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,410. Early-career special education graduates make about $20,227.
Santa Fe Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,267 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,742. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Students borrow a median of $21,840 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of East Central University earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. Set against $21,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Midwestern State University earned the #17 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,084. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio earned the #18 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $57,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $57,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #20 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $57,352 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Northeastern State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #22 among the best values for special education. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #23 for value in special education this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Special Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $56,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University landed the #24 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $54,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Sul Ross State University earned the #25 position for value in special education this year. Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,592, while out-of-state students pay about $17,672. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,951. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,327. That is a strong return on a $18,951 median debt. Sul Ross State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Special Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in special education:
Narrow Special Education Schools by State
More Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
