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2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

103 Ranked Colleges
6,264 Degrees Awarded
$10,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Special Education is the 29th most popular major in the country with 36,792 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 6,264 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,394 and $26,337 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 103 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in special education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality special education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the special education program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The special ed school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Special Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 69 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $4,788 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UW - Madison Special Education Report

2
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 38 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Indiana University - Bloomington

3
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 103 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $5,853 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Purdue Special Education Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC also made our “Best Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,036 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UIUC Special Education Report

5
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Out of the 103 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ball State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school handed out 1,870 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,786 for Great Lakes Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ball State University.

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 more about Special Education at Ball State

6
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 214 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois State also made our “Best Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $14,982 for Great Lakes Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Illinois State Special Education Report

7

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW - Eau Claire is a public institution located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 133 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,658 for Great Lakes Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.

Read full report on Special Education at UW - Eau Claire

8

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 37 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,581 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Special Education at Ohio State University - Main Campus

9
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 63 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland is $8,839 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Oakland

10
UW - Stout crest
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Menomonie, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Stout did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Wisconsin - Stout is a medium-sized school located in Menomonie, Wisconsin that handed out 20 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stout is $10,958 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UW - Stout Special Education Report

11

Indiana University - South Bend came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indiana University - South Bend is located in South Bend, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $6,544 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Indiana University - South Bend Special Education Report

12

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 69 students in 2020-2021.

UIC also took the #25 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $11,351 for Great Lakes Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UIC Special Education Report

13
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $12,346 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Central Michigan University Special Education Report

14

Youngstown State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school situated in Youngstown, Ohio. It awarded 84 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,972 for Great Lakes Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Full Youngstown State University Special Education Report

15
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

With a ranking of #15, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school handed out 33 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State is $11,414 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Wayne State Special Education Report

16

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a public institution located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stevens Point is $9,052 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Special Education at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

17

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 32 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $8,825 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Special Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

18
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $10,056 for Great Lakes Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Full EIU Special Education Report

19

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and it awarded 256 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

BGSU also took the #8 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BGSU is $14,822 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Special Education Report

20
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Southern Indiana is a medium-sized public school situated in Evansville, Indiana. It awarded 16 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,440 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Southern Indiana.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full USI Special Education Report

21
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lewis University 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.

Lewis also made our “Best Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $15,348 for Great Lakes Region Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lewis University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lewis Special Education Report

22

University of Michigan - Dearborn came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 4 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn is $10,465 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UM Dearborn Special Education Report

23
WLC crest
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lutheran College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wisconsin Lutheran College is $17,520 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Wisconsin Lutheran College

24

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW - Whitewater is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 72 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $10,390 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Special Education at UW - Whitewater

25
GVSU crest
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $11,026 for great lakes region special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at Grand Valley State University

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