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2022 Best Value Colleges for Special Education (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

32 Ranked Colleges
950 Degrees Awarded
$14,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 33,249 people earned their degree in special education, making the major the 39th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, special education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,879 and had an average of $28,500 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 950 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,833 and $25,780 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 32 colleges that offered a degree in special education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality special education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the special education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The special ed school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Special Education (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 39 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $5,477 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 74 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

UIC also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $10,648 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIC.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at University of Illinois at Chicago

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 26 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $8,055 for Illinois Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SIUE.

Read full report on Special Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#4

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Illinois State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 189 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois State has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $14,470 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Illinois State University

#5

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 87 students in 2019-2020.

NIU also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $15,281 for Illinois Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NIU.

Full NIU Special Education Report

#6

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and it awarded 67 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Lewis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $12,821 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lewis University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Lewis University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 17 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $13,658 for Illinois Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Special Education Report

#8

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 34 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend EIU is $12,350 for Illinois Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Special Education at EIU

#9

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Saint Xavier University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SXU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,266 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saint Xavier University.

Read full report on Special Education at SXU

#10

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Governors State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. University Park, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,872 for Illinois Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Governors State University.

Read full report on Special Education at GSU

#11

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Saint Francis is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $15,847 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of St Francis.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at University of St Francis

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. WIU is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 20 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $13,942 for Illinois Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WIU.

Full Western Illinois University Special Education Report

#13

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Aurora University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 18 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Aurora University is $14,103 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Aurora University Special Education Report

#14

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Bradley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bradley is located in Peoria, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Bradley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Bradley is $17,205 for Illinois Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Special Education at Bradley

#15

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Elmhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Elmhurst, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $16,903 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Elmhurst University.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Elmhurst University

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 45 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northeastern Illinois University has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,816 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Read full report on Special Education at Northeastern Illinois University

#17

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. NLU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 61 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NLU also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend NLU is $14,178 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Special Education at National Louis University

#18

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Decatur, Illinois, and it awarded 1 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Millikin, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,656 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Millikin.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Special Education at Millikin

#19

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 18 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican University is $17,060 for Illinois Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Special Education at Dominican University

#20

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 45 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Chicago, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Chicago is $14,097 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Special Education Report

#21

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois

Quincy University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Quincy, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Quincy University is $15,292 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Special Education at Quincy U

#22

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Bourbonnais, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene also took the #18 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene University is $15,806 for Illinois Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Olivet Nazarene

#23

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois

Trinity Christian College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Trinity Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Palos Heights, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Trinity Christian also took the #13 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity Christian College is $16,611 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Trinity Christian College

#24

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Chicago State University is $11,507 for Illinois Special Ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Special Education at CSU

#25

Greenville University

Greenville, Illinois

Greenville University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Greenville is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greenville, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Greenville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Greenville is $19,681 for illinois special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Greenville University Special Education Report

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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