Best Affordable Online Master’s in Special Education Programs of 2026

Why We Chose It: FIU offers the same tuition rate for both in-state and out-of-state students.

Florida International University’s master of science in special education is a great choice for students seeking a fast and affordable path into a teaching career. At a total cost of $18,355, the 12-month program is one of the most affordable on our list. And it's one of the few programs of its kind that charges all students the same tuition, whether they live in the state or not. 

At FIU, you’ll receive advanced training on teaching students on the autism spectrum. Once you complete the program, you’ll earn a Florida autism endorsement, an add-on to your teaching certification reflecting your expertise in the area. Additionally, the program places a special emphasis on working with culturally and linguistically diverse students and their families.

What We Like About FIU

• This 12-month program is the shortest one on our list and is completed in six accelerated eight-week terms.
• FIU’s online scholarship tool — Academic Works — helps students find and apply to more than 100 different scholarships.

What We Don't Like

• While FIU accepts applicants with degrees in other fields, students must be able to show evidence of some teaching experience to be eligible for this program.
• While other programs offer a variety of specializations, this master’s program focuses exclusively on students in the autism spectrum.

Why We Chose It: UF offers six different specialization tracks — the most of any program featured on this list.

The University of Florida's online master's in special education offers six specializations — more than any other on our list. These tracks include academic, behavior, dyslexia, disabilities in society, early childhood studies, and early childhood care and policy. 

Unlike other programs of its kind, which focus mainly on classroom skills, UF’s program also offers options for those who would like to go in-depth into policy and advocacy. Additionally, tracks can lead to graduate certificates. 

What We Like About UF

• Designed for working professionals, the 36-credit program can be completed in just two years.
• You do not need prior teaching experience or access to a classroom to qualify — a common requirement for many other master's in education programs.

What We Don't Like

• Students can only transfer up to nine credits from a previous institution to apply toward their master's degree.

Why We Chose It: UGA’s program focuses on an adapted curriculum, which prepares teachers to support students with significant learning and communication needs through specialized, hands-on teaching.

The University of Georgia’s master’s in special education with a focus on adapted curriculum and autism prepares students to teach individuals with significant developmental disabilities and moderate to severe autism.

The adapted curriculum training teaches you how to modify a general education curriculum for students who might not be able to follow it as it is traditionally taught. You will learn how to facilitate your students’ functional, personal, and social skills, provide them with vocational training, and facilitate integration into their communities.

It’s worth noting, however, that this program places a heavy emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a widely used behavioral therapy that has been the subject of controversy throughout the years. It’s important to thoroughly research this approach to help you determine if it's the right choice for you.

What We Like About UGA

• Georgia residents pay $15,799 in tuition for this program, making it one of the cheapest options for in-state students on our list.
• The program leads to certification in teaching adapted curricula from preschool through 12th grade.

What We Don't Like

• Out-of-state students will pay roughly $47,619 in tuition and fees for this program — almost $32,000 more than in-state students and higher than all other schools on this list.
• Some courses require you to log in at set times, which might make them impractical for working professionals.

Why We Chose It: UMSL stands out for its generous tuition benefits for military and veteran students through the Yellow Ribbon Program and the Servicemember's Tuition Assistance Scholarship.

The University of Missouri-St.Louis' online master’s in special education is a strong option for military and veteran students, offering the most generous Yellow Ribbon funding of all the schools on our list.

Through the Yellow Ribbon Program, UMSL helps cover tuition costs that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t pay for. Because the GI Bill has annual limits, eligible military and veteran students may still face some tuition charges. UMSL fills that gap by contributing up to $10,000 per year. By comparison, other institutions on this list either don’t participate in Yellow Ribbon or offer considerably less, typically around $6,000 or below.

UMSL also stands out for placing no cap on the number of students who can receive this funding each year. Other schools restrict their Yellow Ribbon support to 30 or fewer students annually.

Additionally, UMSL offers the Servicemember’s Tuition Assistance Scholarship, which covers the difference between the Armed Forces Tuition Assistance maximum rates and UMSL’s tuition.

What We Like About UMSL

• This program offers three concentration tracks: behavioral principles and interventions, inclusive education, and transition studies.
• Under the Missouri Returning Heroes Education Act Grant, tuition for qualified combat veterans is capped at $50 per credit hour.

What We Don't Like

• UMSL charges $729 per credit hour for Missouri residents and $1,662 for out-of-state students — about $21,870 or $49,860 for the full 30-credit program. This makes it the most expensive program on our list, as most others cost around $20,000 or less for their in-state students.

Why We Chose It: UNC Greensboro’s program follows a cohort approach, allowing students to start and finish the program with the same group of peers, encouraging collaboration and networking.

The online master's degree in special education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a great option for students who have more flexibility in their schedule and can attend classes at set times. While many online programs offer self-paced lessons, UNC Greensboro uses a cohort model, which allows you to learn in a more traditional group setting. 

This approach offers multiple benefits, including increased engagement, social interaction, and support from your peers and faculty members. Note that, in this program, you will have to complete a 16-week student teaching requirement during the last semester.

What We Like About UNC Greensboro

• North Carolina residents pay just $351 per credit hour, or roughly around $11,000 for the total program — the lowest price on our list.
• This is one of the shorter programs on our list, taking only 30-33 credits to complete.

What We Don't Like

• While other schools offer multiple start dates throughout the year, you can only start this program in the summer.