2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Minnesota

[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Leading the list is Saint Marys University Of Minnesota, our #1 best value for special education in Minnesota. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $60,963. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the best values for special education. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,250. Special Education graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Bemidji State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. 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. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,387. Special Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $51,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,387 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Students borrow a median of $30,542 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. 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.
Capella University landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Capella University earn a median of $54,641 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #8 among the best values for special education. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,447. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $57,948. Set against $24,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Concordia University Saint Paul placed #9 among the best values for special education. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,026. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $59,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #10 among the best values for special education. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Special Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $51,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #11 position for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $58,506 early in their careers. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #12 for value in special education this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,923. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,812. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
More Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.