2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
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 For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 24 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools
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 for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k”.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #1 spot on the list. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s 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 UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Special Education at University of Illinois at Chicago
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. SIUE is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 5 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, SIUE has also earned the #18 rank 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 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300.
Read more about Special Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Eastern Illinois University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.
EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Illinois University are $20,761, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Special Education at Eastern Illinois University
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 53 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #7 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 Northern Illinois University are $11,086.
Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Saint Xavier University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 19 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, SXU has also earned the #12 rank 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 SXU are $15,450.
Governors State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Governors State University is a small public school situated in University Park, Illinois. It awarded 2 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.
GSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at GSU are $14,674, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Special Education at Governors State University
With a ranking of #8, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 8 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.
WIU also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Lewis University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Romeoville, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 20 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.
Lewis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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.
Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Illinois State University is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Aurora University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Aurora University is located in Aurora, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.
Aurora did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora are $13,200, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #12, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #0 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 SIUC are $32,928.
With a ranking of #13, Dominican University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 16 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.
Dominican U also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Dominican U are $20,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Special Education at Dominican University
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 40 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.
Northeastern Illinois University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Special Education at Northeastern Illinois University
National Louis University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. National Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 55 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at NLU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at National Louis University are $12,096, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Concordia University, Chicago came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 42 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Chicago, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. 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
Elmhurst University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Elmhurst is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elmhurst, Illinois. 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Elmhurst are $32,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Chicago State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.
CSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chicago State University are $15,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Special Education at Chicago State University
Greenville University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Greenville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.
Greenville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 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 Greenville University are $8,082.
Trinity Christian College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Trinity Christian is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Palos Heights, Illinois. It awarded 3 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, Trinity Christian has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Trinity Christian are $10,767, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Special Education at Trinity Christian College
Roosevelt University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 4 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, Roosevelt has also earned the #19 rank 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 Roosevelt are $21,605.
Rockford University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Rockford, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rockford, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rockford are $13,255, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
DePaul University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. DePaul is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 33 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.
DePaul also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 1 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree special ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, Loyola Chicago has also earned the #0 rank 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 Loyola Chicago are $19,154.
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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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