2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
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 Saint Marys University Of Minnesota this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,963. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Chadron State College one of the best values for special education. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,912. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $47,254. That is a strong return on a $22,912 median debt.
Fort Hays State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $53,586 early in their careers. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Minot State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Special Education graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $55,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,860 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Truman State University earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,168. Special Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Special Education graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,459. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Bemidji State University landed the #9 spot for special education value this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Students borrow a median of $25,819 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $57,616. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $41,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #11 among the best values for special education. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $52,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,387. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,800. Set against $18,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #13 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $60,588. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #14 for value in special education this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Special Education graduates carry a median of $30,051 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $47,316 early in their careers. Set against $30,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Pittsburg State University came in at #15 for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,669. Early-career special education graduates make about $52,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #16 spot for special education value this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Special Education graduates carry a median of $30,542 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Set against $30,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Northern State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,143. Special Education graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. Set against $26,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #18 among the best values for special education. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,173. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $54,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #19 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,000. Special Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $40,281 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Emporia State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,927. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Winona State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $46,697. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #22 position for value in special education this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $41,321 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #23 position for value in special education this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #24 among the best values for special education. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,500. Early-career special education graduates make about $38,250. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Kansas came in at #25 for value in special education this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,608. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,196. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s special education value ranking:
Narrow Special Education Schools by State
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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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
