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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

23 Ranked Colleges
438 Degrees Awarded
$17,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master's in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in special education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality special education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the special education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

#1

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 53 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Northern Illinois University

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 62 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at University of Illinois at Chicago

#3

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Governors State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. Governors State University is a small school located in University Park, Illinois that handed out 2 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

GSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. 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

#4

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #4 spot on the list. EIU is a public institution located in Charleston, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Eastern Illinois University Special Education Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 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 UIUC are $30,083.

Full UIUC Special Education Report

#6

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 55 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students whose families make $75-$110k list, NLU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NLU are $12,096, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at NLU

#7

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. SXU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SXU are $15,450, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Saint Xavier University Special Education Report

#8

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. This medium-sized school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 42 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 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 Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Special Education Report

#9

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Lewis University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Romeoville, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lewis, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis University are $14,780, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at Lewis

With a ranking of #10, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 5 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#11

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. 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.

Aurora also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora University are $13,200.

Full Aurora University Special Education Report

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Western Illinois University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 8 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students whose families make $75-$110k list, WIU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at WIU

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 1 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SIUC Special Education Report

#14

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Dominican University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Dominican University 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 University

With a ranking of #15, Northeastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 40 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern Illinois University, the school also landed the #16 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 Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Special Education Report

#16

Greenville University

Greenville, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Greenville University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. Greenville University is located in Greenville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students whose families make $75-$110k list, Greenville has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Greenville are $8,082, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at Greenville

#17

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

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

Full Illinois State Special Education Report

#18

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #18. Elmhurst is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elmhurst, Illinois. It awarded 4 masters’s special ed 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 University are $32,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Elmhurst University Special Education Report

#19

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois

Trinity Christian College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. 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 are $10,767, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Trinity Christian Special Education Report

#20

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #20. 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt are $21,605, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at Roosevelt University

#21

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. DePaul is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 33 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full DePaul Special Education Report

#22

Rockford University

Rockford, Illinois

Rockford University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #22. Rockford University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Rockford, Illinois. It awarded 1 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Rockford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 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 Rockford University are $13,255.

Read full report on Special Education at Rockford

#23

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also took the #0 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on 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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