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2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

24 Ranked Colleges
438 Degrees Awarded
$17,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master's in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

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 Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 438 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,267 and $46,814 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools

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 for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #1 spot on the list. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Special Education Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 62 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036.

Read more about Special Education at UIC

#3

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #3 spot on the list. EIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 12 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at EIU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761.

Full Eastern Illinois University Special Education Report

#4

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Illinois University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read full report on Special Education at NIU

#5

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lewis University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. This medium-sized school is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and it awarded 20 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Lewis also took the #5 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis are $14,780.

Full Lewis Special Education Report

#6

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SXU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SXU are $15,450.

Read full report on Special Education at SXU

With a ranking of #7, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUE, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300.

Full SIUE Special Education Report

#8

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Aurora, 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 9 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Aurora, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora are $13,200, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Aurora University

#9

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. University Park, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students whose families make $48-$75k list, GSU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Governors State University are $14,674, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at GSU

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928.

Read full report on Special Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#11

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at WIU

#12

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 42 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students whose families make $48-$75k list, Concordia University, Chicago has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378.

Read full report on Special Education at Concordia University, Chicago

#13

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #2 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Illinois State Special Education Report

#14

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 55 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

NLU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at National Louis University are $12,096, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full National Louis University Special Education Report

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University also took the #16 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at Northeastern Illinois University

#16

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Dominican U is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Dominican U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Dominican University are $20,884.

Read full report on Special Education at Dominican U

#17

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Elmhurst University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Elmhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also took the #8 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Elmhurst are $32,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Elmhurst University Special Education Report

#18

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Chicago State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 10 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

CSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chicago State University are $15,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Chicago State University

#19

Greenville University

Greenville, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Greenville University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Greenville, Illinois, and it awarded 11 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students whose families make $48-$75k list, Greenville has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Greenville University are $8,082.

Full Greenville University Special Education Report

#20

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois

Trinity Christian College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Palos Heights, Illinois, and it awarded 3 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Trinity Christian also took the #9 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Trinity Christian College are $10,767, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at Trinity Christian College

#21

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Roosevelt University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Roosevelt also took the #19 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt are $21,605.

Read more about Special Education at Roosevelt University

#22

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. DePaul University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students whose families make $48-$75k list, DePaul has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at DePaul University

#23

Rockford University

Rockford, Illinois

Rockford University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rockford, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rockford University are $13,255, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Rockford University Special Education Report

#24

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Loyola Chicago

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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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