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Special Education and Teaching Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Special education programs span an enormous price spectrum, from St Petersburg College where students actually receive $52 in net aid to CUNY Medgar Evers College costing $5,881 annually. Florida institutions dominate the ultra-low cost bracket with three schools under $900 net price, while CUNY schools in New York cluster around $3,000-$5,000 despite their urban locations. Texas A&M International graduates earn $44,747 annually, reflecting the Southwest's growing demand for bilingual special education teachers as Hispanic student populations expand. The graduation rates tell a stark story, ranging from Ohio University-Southern's 19.3% to Baruch College's impressive 72.1%. Community colleges like Chipola achieve 61.3% completion rates at just $832 net cost, proving that affordable doesn't mean ineffective. Special education teaching remains recession-proof nationwide, with federal mandates ensuring steady employment across all regions and growing need for specialists who can work with autism spectrum disorders and learning disabilities.
50
Programs
$-52 – $8,837
Net Price Range
$37,035
Avg. Program Earnings
41.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Special Education and Teaching Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $2,682 37.5%
2 $832 $3,120 61.3%
3 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
4 $2,795 $4,038 42.2%
5 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
6 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
7 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
8 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
9 $4,285 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
10 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
11 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
12 $5,202 $2,764 42.5%
13 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
14 $5,881 $7,352 22.3% 87.7%
15 $5,929 $2,838 44.7%
16 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
17 $6,007 $7,001 25.6% 45.0%
18 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
19 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
20 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
21 $6,352 $7,200 33.3% 74.2%
22 $6,392 $5,966 36.7%
23 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
24 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
25 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
26 $7,075 $4,714
27 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
28 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
29 $7,201 $3,106 41.2%
30 $7,233 $6,960 31.0% 62.7%
31 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
32 $7,382 $5,542 38.4% 67.8%
33 $7,559 $6,920 31.1%
34 $7,569 $6,920 36.4%
35 $7,607 $5,542 38.7% 45.7%
36 $7,668 $6,920 30.2%
37 $7,912 $7,868 34.9%
38 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
39 $8,036 $5,580 35.4% 33.3%
40 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
41 $8,245 $5,580 43.1% 52.8%
42 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
43 $8,264 $6,238 42.1% 99.8%
44 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
45 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
46 $8,471 $8,050 46.0% 83.1%
47 $8,543 $9,000 36.3% 56.3%
48 $8,783 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
49 $8,787 $5,580 32.9% 44.7%
50 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost differences between similar programs?

Public community colleges like St Petersburg College offer net costs of negative $52 while four-year institutions range from $2,446 at CUNY Hunter to $5,929 at Miami Dade College. State funding formulas vary dramatically, with Florida providing strong support for community college special education programs. Location also matters less than expected, as expensive cities like New York still maintain affordable CUNY options under $3,500 annually.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in special education?

CUNY Baruch College achieves a 72.1% graduation rate at $2,978 net cost, while Ohio University campuses struggle with rates below 20% despite similar pricing. Chipola College proves community colleges can succeed with 61.3% completion at just $832 annually. The data shows institutional support matters more than tuition levels, with well-funded programs achieving better outcomes regardless of sticker price.

Where do special education graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

Texas A&M International graduates earn $44,747 annually, reflecting border region premiums for bilingual special education teachers. Indian River State College graduates start at $38,769 in Florida's competitive education market. The $6,000 salary gap suggests geographic location and specialized skills like dual-language instruction significantly impact earning potential in special education careers.

Does attending a community college limit special education career prospects?

Community colleges like Chipola achieve 61.3% graduation rates while many four-year programs struggle below 50%. St Petersburg College students receive net aid of $52, essentially getting paid to attend while earning the same teaching credentials. Transfer agreements allow community college graduates to complete bachelor's degrees at reduced total costs, making this pathway increasingly popular among education majors.

Is student debt manageable for special education majors at these schools?

CUNY Medgar Evers College graduates carry just $5,500 in debt compared to $26,950 at Ohio University campuses. Miami Dade College keeps debt at $10,778 while maintaining a 44.7% graduation rate. Many programs keep debt below $20,000, which remains manageable given special education's stable employment prospects and loan forgiveness programs for public service teachers.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.