2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 74 schools to find the best return on investment for special education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in special education in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $73,322. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $61,223. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Dominican University one of the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,236. Special Education graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Special Education graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #5 place for special education. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,613. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $57,644. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #7 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,925. Special Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Indiana University South Bend earned the #8 position for value in special education this year. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $47,733. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Vincennes University came in at #9 for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,710 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $39,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,710 median debt.
Northern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $21,452 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,426. Set against $21,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #11 for value in special education this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,873 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $48,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,046. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,955. That is a strong return on a $26,046 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of St Francis landed the #13 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $45,323. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #14 for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $46,729. Set against $25,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Superior ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,726. Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,276 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,773. That is a strong return on a $26,276 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #17 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $44,429. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #18 position for value in special education this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Special Education graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $69,073. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Chicago State University placed #19 among the best values for special education. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $43,322. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University landed the #20 spot for special education value this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $49,737 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #22 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Special Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $51,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ball State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,096. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Central State University landed the #24 spot for special education value this year. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,058. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $31,318. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Central State University generally make around $27,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #25 among the best values for special education. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,607 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for special education this year:
Narrow Special Education Schools by State
More Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
