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2027 Best Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

74 Colleges in the United States
5,397 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$50,409 Avg Early-Career Salary

Special Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their special education programs.

College Factual analyzed 74 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best special education schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Special Education in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall special education education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Special Education

1

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 school for special education. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 42 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,086. Typical student debt for the program is $18,925. Read more about the special education program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

Indiana University Bloomington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #2. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 33 special education degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $51,306. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Indiana University Bloomington

3
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 70 special education degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $67,561 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Depaul University

4
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Viterbo University awarded about 12 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $60,309 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,107 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Viterbo University

5
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 16 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $48,773 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,276 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from Purdue University Main Campus

6

Illinois State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 215 special education degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $52,626 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $20,436 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Illinois State University

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #7 position for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 72 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $50,174 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $22,863 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

8

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 22 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $73,322. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

9

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 25 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $68,371 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Olivet Nazarene University

10
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #10 position for special education this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 92 special education students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $57,308. Typical student debt for the program is $26,375. Get the full special education details for Michigan State University

11

University Of Dayton landed the #11 spot for special education this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $45,260. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $20,612 in student loans. See the full special education program report for University Of Dayton

12

Northern Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 57 special education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $53,426 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $21,452 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Northern Illinois University

13
Alma College crest
Alma College
Alma, MI

Alma College came in at #13 for special education this year. Set in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Alma College graduates 63% of students within six years. About 38 special education degrees were awarded at Alma College in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $42,740 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,248. See the full special education program report for Alma College

14
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH

Marietta College came in at #14 for special education this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Marietta College graduates 61% of students within six years. About 15 special education degrees were awarded at Marietta College in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $79,641 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Marietta College

15

Concordia University Chicago came in at #15 for special education this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 special education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Chicago in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $64,673 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Concordia University Chicago

16

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 special education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $45,213 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,899. Get the full special education details for Ohio State University Main Campus

17

Ball State University earned the #17 position for special education this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. Ball State University awarded about 1,990 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $54,096. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from Ball State University

18

Roosevelt University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 41 special education degrees were awarded at Roosevelt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $50,101 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Roosevelt University

19

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #19 among the best special education schools. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 86 special education students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $53,372 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $33,307. See the full special education program report for Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

20

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #20 among the best special education schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 98 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $51,104. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,742 in student loans. Get the full special education details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

21
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Set in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 11 special education degrees were awarded at Hope College in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Hope College earn around $48,630 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Hope College

22

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #22 spot for special education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. About 55 special education degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $69,073 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Northeastern Illinois University

23
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #23 among the best special education schools. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 73 special education students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $48,819. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Lewis University

24

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #24 for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. About 31 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn around $51,466 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,188 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

25
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University landed the #25 spot for special education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of River Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 19 special education degrees were awarded at Dominican University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Dominican University

Rest of the Top 50 Special Education Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s special education ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
46
47
48
Alverno College crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 74 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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