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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education in Illinois (With Aid)

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 Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” 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. 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 Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer a degree in special education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent special education programs, but they also cost less that 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.

More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools

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 for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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 Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education in Illinois (With Aid)

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 62 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

UIC also took the #3 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 UIC are $27,036.

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

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students with aid list, UIUC has also earned the #1 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 UIUC are $30,083.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Special Education Report

#3

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Governors State University landed the #3 spot on the list. 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 with aid list, GSU has also earned the #20 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 GSU are $14,674.

Read more about Special Education at GSU

#4

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 #4 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 53 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

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 Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at NIU

#5

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Illinois University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at EIU

#6

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Chicago State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. CSU is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students with aid list, CSU has also earned the #21 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 Chicago State University are $15,056.

Full CSU Special Education Report

#7

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Saint Xavier University 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Xavier University are $15,450, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at SXU

#8

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Chicago, 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 55 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NLU, the school also landed the #17 spot 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 National Louis University

#9

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Western Illinois University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Macomb, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized 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 WIU, the school also landed the #15 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 Western Illinois University are $11,996.

Read full report on Special Education at Western Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 40 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 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 Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032.

Read full report on Special Education at Northeastern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

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. 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 more about Special Education at SIUE

#12

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Lewis University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Romeoville, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 20 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Special Education at Lewis University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

SIUC also took the #0 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#14

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora 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 Getting Aid ranking. Aurora University is a medium-sized school located in Aurora, Illinois that handed out 9 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students with aid list, Aurora has also earned the #11 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 Aurora University are $13,200.

Read more about Special Education at Aurora University

#15

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Dominican University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 16 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Dominican U are $20,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Dominican University

#16

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid 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.

Concordia University, Chicago also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Concordia University, Chicago

#17

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 19 masters’s special ed degrees 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.

Read full report on Special Education at Illinois State University

#18

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Elmhurst University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Elmhurst, 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.

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.

Read full report on Special Education at Elmhurst University

#19

Greenville University

Greenville, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Greenville University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Greenville, 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 11 students in 2019-2020.

Greenville also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at Greenville University are $8,082, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at Greenville

#20

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois

Trinity Christian College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Palos Heights, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Trinity Christian did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 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 Trinity Christian are $10,767.

Full Trinity Christian Special Education Report

#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 Getting Aid list. Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Roosevelt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt University are $21,605, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Roosevelt University

#22

Rockford University

Rockford, Illinois

Rockford 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 Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Rockford, Illinois, and it awarded 1 masters’s special ed degrees 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 are $13,255, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Rockford University

#23

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid 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.

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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full DePaul Special Education Report

#24

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Loyola Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Loyola Chicago also took 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 Loyola Chicago are $19,154.

Full Loyola Chicago 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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