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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Special Education in Illinois

39 Ranked Colleges
1,153 Degrees Awarded
$26,800 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 36,792 people earned their degree in special education, making the major the 29th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, special education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $45,679 and had an average of $24,977 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 1,153 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $47,433 and $23,191 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois” ranking analyzed 39 colleges that offered a degree in special education. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in special education.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois

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

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Special Education in Illinois

1
Trinity Christian crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, Illinois

Out of the 39 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Trinity Christian College landed the #1 spot on the list. Trinity Christian is located in Palos Heights, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 more about Special Education at Trinity Christian College

2
NLU crest
National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend National Louis University. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois. National Louis University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 127 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Special Education at National Louis University

3
Greenville crest
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Greenville University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois list. Greenville University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greenville, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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%. The impressive undergraduate 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

4
Dominican U crest
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Dominican University. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois. Dominican U is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Dominican U

5
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

Out of the 39 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Illinois State University landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 214 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad 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 Illinois State

6
Elmhurst crest
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois ranking. Elmhurst is located in Elmhurst, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Elmhurst University Special Education Report

7
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Lewis University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois list. Lewis is located in Romeoville, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 Lewis University

8

With a ranking of #8, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois list. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 114 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Special Education at Northern Illinois University

9
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois ranking. Located in Aurora, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 54 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Aurora

10
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois list. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 38 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Full EIU Special Education Report

11

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #11. Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Special Education at Northeastern Illinois University

12
Rockford crest
Rockford University
Rockford, Illinois

Rockford University ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois list. Rockford is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Rockford, Illinois. It awarded 6 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Special Education at Rockford University

13
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois list. This medium-sized school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 36 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Concordia University, Chicago

14
CSU crest
Chicago State University
Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Chicago State University Special Education Report

15
Eureka College crest
Eureka College
Eureka, Illinois

Eureka College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Eureka, Illinois, and it awarded 2 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Special Education at Eureka College

16
SXU crest
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 13 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Special Education at SXU

17
Roosevelt crest
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois ranking. Roosevelt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Roosevelt University Special Education Report

18

With a ranking of #18, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois list. SIUE is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 32 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Special Education at SIUE

19
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois ranking. DePaul University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 58 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 more about Special Education at DePaul

20

Western Illinois University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 19 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Western Illinois University Special Education Report

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois list. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UIC Special Education Report

22

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 26 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Special Education at SIUC

23
Quincy U crest
Quincy University
Quincy, Illinois

Quincy University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #23. Quincy U is located in Quincy, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Full Quincy University Special Education Report

24
Judson crest
Judson University
Elgin, Illinois

Judson University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #24. This small school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 2 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad 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 Judson University

25
University of Saint Francis crest
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis ranked #25 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Special Ed Major in Illinois list. University of St Francis is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 University of Saint Francis Special Education Report

Notes and References

References

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