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2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois

21 Ranked Colleges
438 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master's in Illinois

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois” ranking.

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. 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” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois

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

Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education in Illinois

#1

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students list, Illinois State has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Illinois State University Special Education Report

#2

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. River Forest, 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 42 students in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. 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

#3

Greenville University

Greenville, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Greenville University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois. 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.

Greenville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Greenville are $8,082, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at Greenville

#4

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lewis University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Lewis University is located in Romeoville, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Lewis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 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 Lewis University are $14,780.

Read more about Special Education at Lewis University

#5

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Trinity Christian College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois. This small school is located in Palos Heights, Illinois, and it awarded 3 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Trinity Christian not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Trinity Christian College are $10,767, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Trinity Christian College

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 53 students in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full NIU Special Education Report

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 8 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at UIUC

#8

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Eastern Illinois University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 12 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also took the #14 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 EIU are $20,761.

Read full report on Special Education at Eastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Northeastern Illinois University

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #10. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 62 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UIC Special Education Report

With a ranking of #11, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. SIUE is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 5 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Western Illinois University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at WIU

#13

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #13. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 9 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 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 Aurora are $13,200.

Full Aurora University Special Education Report

#14

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. Saint Xavier University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

SXU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 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 Saint Xavier University are $15,450.

Read more about Special Education at SXU

#15

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 ranking, coming in at #15. 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.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students 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 full report on Special Education at National Louis University

#16

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. This small school is located in University Park, Illinois, and it awarded 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 GSU are $14,674, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Governors State University

#17

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, DePaul University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760.

Read full report on Special Education at DePaul

#18

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #18. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students 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 University are $20,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at Dominican U

#19

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

Chicago State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #19. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

CSU also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSU are $15,056.

Read full report on Special Education at Chicago State University

#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 ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed 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.

Full Roosevelt University Special Education Report

#21

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 ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and it awarded 4 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Elmhurst, the school also landed the #8 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 Elmhurst are $32,300.

Full Elmhurst 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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