2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for special education in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $73,322. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for special education. 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. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $53,426. That is a strong return on a $21,452 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #3 place for special education. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for special education. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,925. Special Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,925 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $19,850 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $44,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University placed #7 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,046. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,955. Set against $26,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University landed the #8 spot for special education value this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $45,546. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University came in at #9 for value in special education this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,242. 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.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #10 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $44,429. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago came in at #11 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $64,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Trinity Christian College placed #12 among the best values for special education. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Students borrow a median of $35,611 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,840. Set against $35,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Lewis University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $48,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Illinois State University earned the #14 position for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,436 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $52,626 early in their careers. Set against $20,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Aurora University landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $56,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Roosevelt University came in at #16 for value in special education this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $50,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #17 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $68,371 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #18 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $67,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,521. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,568. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong special education education at a price that pays off.
