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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

78 Ranked Colleges
2,688 Degrees Awarded
$20,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Special Education is the 39th most popular major in the country with 33,249 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 5,757 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,366 and $28,924 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,688 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 78 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the special education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at UW - Madison

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

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

#3

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 78 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #3 spot on the list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #8 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Indiana University - Bloomington

#4

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ball State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school awarded 1,214 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ball State has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ball State Special Education Report

#5

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Out of the 78 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 32 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Michigan State

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 32 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater are $19,200, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at UW - Whitewater

With a ranking of #7, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 62 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Special Education Report

With a ranking of #8, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 3 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013.

Read more about Special Education at IUPUI

#9

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana

Indiana University - South Bend ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - South Bend is a small public school situated in South Bend, Indiana. It awarded 3 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - South Bend are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at Indiana University - South Bend

#10

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakland University is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 54 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland University are $24,648.

Full Oakland Special Education Report

#11

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 25 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Valley State University are $17,448, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Grand Valley State University

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#13

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 53 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at NIU

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW Oshkosh is a fairly large public school situated in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It awarded 2 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Oshkosh not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh are $18,744, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

#15

University of Wisconsin - Superior

Superior, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Superior did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. UW - Superior is a small school located in Superior, Wisconsin that handed out 48 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Superior are $18,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at UW - Superior

#16

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Purdue University Fort Wayne is a medium-sized public school situated in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It awarded 8 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Fort Wayne are $14,618.

Read more about Special Education at PFW

#17

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Central Michigan University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 16 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, Central Michigan has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359.

Full Central Michigan University Special Education Report

#18

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Lewis University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Romeoville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lewis has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis University are $14,780, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Lewis Special Education Report

University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. UM Dearborn is a medium-sized public school situated in Dearborn, Michigan. It awarded 3 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Dearborn are $25,072, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at UM Dearborn

#20

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 19 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Xavier University are $15,450, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SXU Special Education Report

With a ranking of #21, University of Michigan - Flint did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UM Flint is a public institution located in Flint, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Flint are $18,202, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at University of Michigan - Flint

#22

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Governors State University is located in University Park, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

GSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at GSU are $14,674.

Read full report on Special Education at Governors State University

#23

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 12 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at EIU

#24

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois State University is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 19 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Illinois State

#25

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan

With a ranking of #25, Northern Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Marquette, Michigan, this medium-sized public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Michigan University are $13,660, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northern Michigan University Special Education Report

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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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