College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Special Education in the Great Lakes Region

123 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
2,218 Bachelor's Degrees
$36,354 Avg Early-Career Salary
A bachelor's degree in special education is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #55 out of 338 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

College Factual looked at 123 colleges and universities when compiling its 2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Special Education in the Great Lakes Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 2,218 bachelor's degrees in special education during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Special Education School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Special Education in the Great Lakes Region The special ed bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. We created our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Special Education in the Great Lakes Region ranking to make it a little easier to choose the right one for you.

A high popularity ranking isn't always a sign that a school has a great overall quality ranking for special education, but it does mean that many students are choosing the school for some reason. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools

Associate Degrees in Special Ed
Master's Degrees in Special Ed
Doctor's Degrees in Special Ed
Overall Popularity in Special Ed

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for special education.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.


 

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in special education. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

18 Most Well Attended Schools for Special Ed Students Working on Their Bachelor's

1
241 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#3 Best Quality In OH

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in special education. BGSU is a fairly large public university located in the fringe town of Bowling Green. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Ohio.

There were about 241 special education students who graduated with this degree at BGSU in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, special ed bachelor's recipients generally earn about $32,800 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

2
156 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Illinois State University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in special education. Located in the midsize suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Illinois.

There were approximately 156 special education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent year we have data available.

Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from Illinois State University get an earnings boost of around $6,246 over the average earnings of special education majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Illinois State University

3
85 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In OH
#23 Best Quality In OH

University of Akron Main Campus is a popular decision for students interested in a bachelor's degree in special education. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Akron.

There were about 85 special education students who graduated with this degree at University of Akron Main Campus in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduating, special ed bachelor's recipients generally earn around $32,700 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Akron Main Campus

4
84 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WI
#2 Best Quality In WI

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a popular option for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in special education. Located in the city of Eau Claire, UW - Eau Claire is a public university with a large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Wisconsin.

There were roughly 84 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at UW - Eau Claire in the most recent data year.

Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire make $3,546 more than the standard special ed graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

5
65 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IN
#3 Best Quality In IN

Ball State is a very large public university located in the city of Muncie. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Indiana.

There were roughly 65 special education students who graduated with this degree at Ball State in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the special education program at Ball State University make $3,346 above the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Ball State University

6
58 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In WI
#5 Best Quality In WI

Located in the city of Oshkosh, UW Oshkosh is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Wisconsin.

There were about 58 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at UW Oshkosh in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the special education major at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh earn $3,746 above the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

6
58 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In OH
#24 Best Quality In OH

Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a public university with a fairly large student population.

There were roughly 58 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at Youngstown State University in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, special ed bachelor's recipients generally earn around $30,100 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Youngstown State University

8
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
57 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#5 Best Quality In MI

Central Michigan is a fairly large public university located in the distant town of Mount Pleasant. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Michigan.

There were roughly 57 special education students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan in the most recent year we have data available.

Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University receive $2,846 more than the standard special ed graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Central Michigan University

9
55 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MI
#4 Best Quality In MI

GVSU is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Allendale. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Michigan.

There were approximately 55 special education students who graduated with this degree at GVSU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Grand Valley State University

10
51 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In WI
#1 Best Quality In WI

Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Wisconsin.

There were roughly 51 special education students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year.

Special Education bachelor's degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Madison get an earnings boost of about $4,546 above the average income of special education majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Wisconsin - Madison

10
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
51 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MI
#2 Best Quality In MI

Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Michigan.

There were about 51 special education students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Michigan State University

12
48 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In WI
#3 Best Quality In WI

UW - Whitewater is a large public university located in the town of Whitewater. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Wisconsin.

There were about 48 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at UW - Whitewater in the most recent data year.

Those special education students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater receive $3,346 more than the standard special ed student.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

13
47 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In OH
#21 Best Quality In OH

Located in the city of Toledo, University of Toledo is a public university with a large student population.

There were about 47 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at University of Toledo in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the special ed program state that they receive average early career earnings of $30,300.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from University of Toledo

13
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
47 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#3 Best Quality In IL

Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Illinois.

There were about 47 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at Lewis in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Lewis University

15
46 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In OH
#17 Best Quality In OH

Kent State is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Kent.

There were roughly 46 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at Kent State in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the special ed program earn an average of $32,100 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Kent State University at Kent

16
44 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MI
#10 Best Quality In MI

Eastern Michigan is a large public university located in the suburb of Ypsilanti.

There were approximately 44 special education students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Michigan in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, special ed bachelor's recipients typically make around $35,200 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Eastern Michigan University

17
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
43 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#6 Most Popular In OH
#8 Best Quality In OH

Ashland is a small private not-for-profit university located in the town of Ashland. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Ohio.

There were about 43 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at Ashland in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the special ed program make about $33,800 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Ashland University

18
38 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#7 Most Popular In OH
#2 Best Quality In OH

Ohio State is a very large public university located in the large city of Columbus. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in special education in Ohio.

There were roughly 38 special education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the special ed program earn about $35,800 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in special education from Ohio State University - Main Campus

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Special Education students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Special Education in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
19 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
20 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
21 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
22 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI
23 University of Dayton Dayton, OH
24 Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Saint Mary of the Woods, IN
25 Shawnee State University Portsmouth, OH
25 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
25 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL

Best Special Education Colleges by State

Explore the most popular special education colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 255 274
Ohio 246 843
Illinois 231 452
Indiana 227 261
Wisconsin 209 271

View All Rankings >

One of 14 majors within the Education area of study, Special Education has other similar majors worth exploring.

Special Ed Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Special Education 1,375
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 355
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities 111
Other Special Education & Teaching 98
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities 88
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 53
Elementary Special Education 40
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments 30
Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed 30
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances 21

Majors Similar to Special Ed

Related Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 8,036
Teacher Education Subject Specific 4,175
General Education 1,058
Educational Administration 379
Other Education 256
Teaching English or French 40
Education Philosophy 24
Instructional Media Design 9
Educational Assessment 7
Multilingual Education 7

Notes and References

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options