2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Missouri
[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 9 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Missouri
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 Truman State University this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,168. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Missouri earned it the #2 place for special education. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $41,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earned it the #3 place for special education. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,500 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $30,051 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $47,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #4 place for special education. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,943. Special Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $52,350 early in their careers. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Missouri State University earned it the #5 place for special education. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $40,281. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $41,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the special education program here. 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 Missouri Columbia ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,357. Special Education graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Set against $20,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Lincoln University Missouri earned the #9 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,796, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Special Education graduates carry a median of $32,831 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Lincoln University Missouri earn a median of $37,449 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,831 median debt.
More Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.
