2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Illinois
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value special education schools.
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2027 Best Value Special Education Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
For return on investment in special education, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $73,322 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Dominican University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for special education. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at National Louis University earned it the #4 place for special education. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. 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. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Illinois University earned it the #5 place for special education. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,046 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,955. That is a strong return on a $26,046 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of St Francis came in at #6 for value in special education this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $45,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Western Illinois University came in at #7 for value in special education this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $25,986 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $46,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Chicago State University landed the #8 spot for special education value this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $43,322. Special Education graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #9 for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. 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. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #10 for value in special education this year. 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. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,452 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #11 spot for special education value this year. 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. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $22,875. Special Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $44,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $69,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Lewis University came in at #13 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $19,850 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $44,205. Set against $19,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Concordia University Chicago landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $64,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University placed #16 among the best values for special education. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,436. Special Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $52,626 early in their careers. Set against $20,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Trinity Christian College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value special education schools. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Students from in state pay about $20,605 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $35,611. Special Education graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $48,840 early in their careers. Set against $35,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University came in at #18 for value in special education this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,879. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $50,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #19 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $68,371. That is a strong return on a $26,797 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University landed the #20 spot for special education value this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $67,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
More Special Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
