2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
For return on investment in special education, no school beat Oakland Community College this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,115. Early-career special education graduates make about $73,322. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,452. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,426. That is a strong return on a $21,452 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Northeastern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $17,600. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $69,073. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,276 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,773. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #6 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $18,925 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,086. Set against $18,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Saint Xavier University placed #7 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University South Bend placed #8 among the best values for special education. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,640. Early-career special education graduates make about $47,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Akron Wayne College landed the #9 spot for special education value this year. University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public school located in the rural area of Orrville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,723, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,669 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Akron Wayne College earn a median of $36,776 early in their careers. Set against $21,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Wayne College admits about 90% of applicants.
Vincennes University earned the #10 position for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,710. Special Education graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $39,867 early in their careers. Set against $21,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,500. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,306. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,607. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #13 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,850. Special Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $44,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Oakland University came in at #14 for value in special education this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,972. Special Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $61,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,046 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Superior landed the #16 spot for special education value this year. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. In-state tuition and fees average $8,812, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Students borrow a median of $27,845 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $55,057. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #17 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $44,945. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Dominican University came in at #18 for value in special education this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,236. Special Education graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #19 for value in special education this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $49,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #20 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $29,873 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,209. That is a strong return on a $29,873 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Ball State University placed #21 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $54,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Wayne State University earned the #22 position for value in special education this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Special Education graduates carry a median of $43,500 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,917. That is a strong return on a $43,500 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University placed #23 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,125 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $40,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University earned the #24 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Special Education graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $57,644 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #25 among the best values for special education. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $22,863 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $50,174. That is a strong return on a $22,863 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Special Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for special education this year:
Narrow Special Education Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 163 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
