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2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

32 Ranked Colleges
950 Degrees Awarded
$17,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 32 colleges that offered a degree in special education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great special education programs and cost less that 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

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois special ed students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Special Education in Illinois (With Aid)

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 Getting Aid list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 39 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois special ed students with aid list, UIUC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $15,880 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid per year to attend UIUC.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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

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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 74 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois special ed students with aid list, UIC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $13,312 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 UIC

#3

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #3 spot on the list. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,607 for illinois special ed students with aid per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Read full report on Special Education at Eastern Illinois University

#4

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 #4 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Governors State University is a public institution located in University Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Governors State University is $12,077 for illinois special ed students with aid.

Read full report on Special Education at GSU

#5

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Illinois University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. NIU is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 87 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northern Illinois University is $18,259 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid.

Read full report on Special Education at NIU

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $16,945 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid.

Read more about Special Education at SIUC

#7

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Illinois State University is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 189 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $20,895 for illinois special ed students with aid.

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%.

Full Illinois State Special Education Report

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,423 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Special Education Report

#9

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. University of Saint Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 4 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Saint Francis, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of St Francis is $17,538 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Saint Francis Special Education Report

#10

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Chicago State University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend CSU is $11,733 for illinois special ed students with aid.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Special Education at CSU

#11

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid 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.

SXU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Xavier University is $14,528 for illinois special ed students with aid.

Read more about Special Education at Saint Xavier University

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $16,210 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid per year to attend Western Illinois University.

Full Western Illinois University Special Education Report

#13

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Lewis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Romeoville, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 67 ’s 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. The estimated yearly cost for Lewis is $18,664 for illinois special ed students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Lewis

#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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. National Louis University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 61 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

NLU also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend National Louis University is $14,957 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid.

Read full report on Special Education at NLU

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 45 students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University also took the #24 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $15,843 for illinois special ed students with aid.

Read full report on Special Education at Northeastern Illinois University

#16

Judson University

Elgin, Illinois

Judson University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 2 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois special ed students with aid list, Judson has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Judson is $18,737 for illinois special ed students with aid.

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.

Read full report on Special Education at Judson

#17

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Aurora University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aurora, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Aurora is $17,215 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid.

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%.

Full Aurora University Special Education Report

#18

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. River Forest, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also made our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Dominican U is $19,268 for illinois special ed students with aid.

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.

Read more about Special Education at Dominican University

#19

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 45 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $16,512 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Special Education Report

#20

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Quincy University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Quincy U is located in Quincy, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Quincy U is $17,497 for illinois special ed students with aid.

Read full report on Special Education at Quincy U

#21

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois special ed students with aid list, Olivet Nazarene has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene is $20,195 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Special Education Report

#22

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. This small school is located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and it awarded 18 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Elmhurst is $21,485 for illinois special ed students with aid.

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

#23

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Millikin is located in Decatur, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Millikin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Millikin University is $21,331 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid.

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 more about Special Education at Millikin University

#24

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois

Trinity Christian College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Trinity Christian College is a small school located in Palos Heights, Illinois that handed out 16 ’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Trinity Christian did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Special Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity Christian College is $21,904 for illinois special ed students with aid.

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. 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

#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 Getting Aid ranking. Greenville University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Greenville, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s 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 $20,689 for Illinois Special Ed students with aid.

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.

Read more about Special Education at Greenville

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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