2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Arizona

[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value special education schools.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Arizona
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
For return on investment in special education, no school beat Pima Community College this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $15,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Glendale Community College Glendale Az one of the best values for special education. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. 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.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Dine College, which ranked #3. 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. Special Education graduates of Dine College earn a median of $20,227 early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Phoenix Arizona one of the best values for special education. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Special Education graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,842. Set against $35,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #6 among the best values for special education. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $52,899. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $44,257. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Grand Canyon University placed #8 among the best values for special education. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Special Education graduates carry a median of $47,180 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,745. Set against $47,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $39,515 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $41,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.