2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in South Dakota
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for special education students.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in South Dakota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Northern State University earned the #1 spot for value among special education schools in South Dakota. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,143 median debt. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Dakota earned it the #2 place for special education. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $46,439. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dakota State University earned it the #3 place for special education. Set in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $42,318. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College South Dakota came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,160. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,217. Special Education graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $50,088 early in their careers. Set against $26,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
