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

97 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
2,688 Master's Degrees
$46,692 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #9 in popularity, special education is one of the most sought-after master's degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual reviewed 97 schools in the Great Lakes Region to determine which ones were the most popular for master's degree seekers in the field of special education. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 2,688 master's degrees in special education during the 2019-2020 academic year.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

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

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Special Education in the Great Lakes Region The special ed master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Special Education in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of special education students usually has them for a reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. Plus, you can view our other rankings for special education.


 

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master'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.

14 Most Well Attended Schools for Special Ed Students Working on Their Master's

1
1,214 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IN
#1 Best Quality In IN

Ball State University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in special education. Located in the small city of Muncie, Ball State 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 master's degrees in special education in Indiana.

There were approximately 1,214 special education students who graduated with this degree at Ball State in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's students who receive their degree from the special ed program make about $46,400 for their early career.

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

2
78 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#8 Best Quality In MI

Eastern Michigan University is a popular choice for individuals interested in a master's degree in special education. Located in the large suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan is a public university with a large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Michigan.

There were about 78 special education students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Michigan in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduation, special ed master's recipients typically earn an average of $46,600 in their early careers.

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

3
66 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#9 Best Quality In OH

Every student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in special education has to take a look at University of Toledo. University of Toledo is a large public university located in the city of Toledo. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #9 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Ohio.

There were about 66 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 master's from the special ed program state that they receive average early career wages of $48,100.

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

4
62 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#2 Best Quality In IL

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at University of Illinois at Chicago if you want to pursue a master's degree in special education. Located in the large city of Chicago, UIC is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Illinois.

There were about 62 special education students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent data year.

Those special education students who get their master's degree from University of Illinois at Chicago earn $13,508 more than the standard special ed grad.

More information about a master’s in special education from University of Illinois at Chicago

5
55 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#13 Best Quality In IL

NLU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago.

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

Master's recipients from the special education major at National Louis University make $7,308 more than the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a master’s in special education from National Louis University

6
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
54 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MI
#5 Best Quality In MI

Located in the large suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland is a public university with a large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Michigan.

There were about 54 special education students who graduated with this degree at Oakland in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program state that they receive average early career income of $44,100.

More information about a master’s in special education from Oakland University

7
53 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In IL
#7 Best Quality In IL

Located in the suburb of Dekalb, NIU is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #7 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Illinois.

There were approximately 53 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at NIU in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's recipients from the special education major at Northern Illinois University earn $2,208 above the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in special education from Northern Illinois University

8
50 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In OH
#4 Best Quality In OH

Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Ohio.

There were about 50 special education students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in special education from Miami University - Oxford

9
49 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MI
#4 Best Quality In MI

WMU is a large public university located in the small city of Kalamazoo. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Michigan.

There were roughly 49 special education students who graduated with this degree at WMU in the most recent year we have data available.

Those special education students who get their master's degree from Western Michigan University make $2,808 more than the standard special ed student.

More information about a master’s in special education from Western Michigan University

10
48 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WI
#7 Best Quality In WI

UW - Superior is a small public university located in the suburb of Superior. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Wisconsin.

There were approximately 48 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at UW - Superior in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in special education from University of Wisconsin - Superior

11
46 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In WI
#5 Best Quality In WI

Cardinal Stritch is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Milwaukee. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Wisconsin.

There were about 46 special education students who graduated with this degree at Cardinal Stritch in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in special education from Cardinal Stritch University

12
45 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In OH
#16 Best Quality In OH

Cleveland State University is a large public university located in the large city of Cleveland.

There were about 45 special education students who graduated with this degree at Cleveland State University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in special education from Cleveland State University

13
42 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In IL
#14 Best Quality In IL

Located in the large suburb of River Forest, Concordia University, Chicago is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.

There were about 42 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at Concordia University, Chicago in the most recent year we have data available.

Those special education students who get their master's degree from Concordia University, Chicago make $9,708 more than the typical special ed graduate.

More information about a master’s in special education from Concordia University, Chicago

14
40 Annual Master's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In IL
#17 Best Quality In IL

Located in the large city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.

There were approximately 40 special education students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year.

Special Education master's degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University receive an earnings boost of approximately $8,308 above the average income of special education majors.

More information about a master’s in special education from Northeastern Illinois University

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Special Education in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
15 Muskingum University New Concord, OH
16 DePaul University Chicago, IL
17 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
17 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
19 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
20 Marian University Indianapolis, IN
21 Mount Vernon Nazarene University Mount Vernon, OH
22 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
22 Ashland University Ashland, OH
24 Notre Dame College Cleveland, OH

Best Special Education Colleges by State

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

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Illinois 219 422
Michigan 203 355
Ohio 195 416
Indiana 181 1,127
Wisconsin 166 150

View All Rankings >

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

Special Ed Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Special Education 1,211
Other Special Education & Teaching 1,144
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments 79
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities 69
Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented 47
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness 34
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 31
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 31
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism 16
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/Middle School Special Education Programs 13

Related Major Annual Graduates
Educational Administration 4,559
Teacher Education Grade Specific 2,712
Teacher Education Subject Specific 2,466
Curriculum & Instruction 2,337
General Education 1,408
Student Counseling 1,283
Instructional Media Design 781
Teaching English or French 298
Multilingual Education 262
Other Education 125

Notes and References

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