2027 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/general-special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general special education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 62 schools to find the best return on investment for general special education students.
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2027 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Special Education Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among general special education schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $73,322. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Oakland University one of the best values for general special education. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $61,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Dominican University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,236. Early-career general special education graduates make about $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #4 place for general special education. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $54,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general special education will find it at National Louis University, which ranked #5. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $57,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #6 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $47,733. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Vincennes University landed the #7 spot for general special education value this year. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Students borrow a median of $21,710 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $39,867. That is a strong return on a $21,710 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #8 among the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $18,925. General Special Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #9 for value in general special education this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,873 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $48,209. Set against $29,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $21,452. General Special Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $53,426 early in their careers. Set against $21,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #11 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,046 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $43,955. Set against $26,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis placed #12 among the best values for general special education. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $45,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Western Illinois University came in at #13 for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $25,986 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $46,729 early in their careers. Set against $25,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Wisconsin Superior ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,845 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #15 for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $44,429. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #16 for value in general special education this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $17,600. Early-career general special education graduates make about $69,073. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Chicago State University placed #17 among the best values for general special education. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,754 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $43,322. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #18 among the best values for general special education. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $49,737. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Central State University landed the #19 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,058. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $31,318 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Central State University earn a median of $27,388 early in their careers. Set against $31,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #20 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $19,500. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $54,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #22 for value in general special education this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $23,607 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #23 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. General Special Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $44,945 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University came in at #24 for value in general special education this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,125 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $40,042. Set against $29,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #25 for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,188 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,466. That is a strong return on a $26,188 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general special education this year:
Narrow General Special Education Schools by State
More General 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
