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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Special Education in Illinois

28 Colleges in Illinois
438 Master's Degrees
$52,614 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a master's degree in special education, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #9 most popular program in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual looked at 28 colleges and universities when compiling its 2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Special Education in Illinois ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 438 master's degrees in special education to qualified students.

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

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality special education program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. 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 is not our only ranking, nor the only degree level we have ranked. In addition to this ranking, you may want to take at the rankings for different degree levels as called out above. You can also narrow your search by location by filtering for a certain area of the country. Plus, you can view our other rankings for special education.


 

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in special education.

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

1
62 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Best Quality In IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

University of Illinois at Chicago is a popular option for students pursuing a master's degree in special education. Located in the city of Chicago, UIC is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Illinois.

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

Master's recipients from the special education major at University of Illinois at Chicago make $7,586 more than the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

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

2
55 Annual Master's Degrees
#13 Best Quality In IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in special education has to take a look at National Louis University. NLU is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago.

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

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the special ed program make an average of $54,000 in their early career salary.

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

3
53 Annual Master's Degrees
#7 Best Quality In IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Any student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in special education has to look into Northern Illinois University. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, NIU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Illinois.

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

Master's students who receive their degree from the special ed program earn around $48,900 for their early career.

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

4
42 Annual Master's Degrees
#14 Best Quality In IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Concordia University, Chicago is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in special education. Located in the 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 earn $3,786 more than the average special ed student.

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

5
40 Annual Master's Degrees
#17 Best Quality In IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the 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 earn a boost of approximately $2,386 over the typical earnings of special education majors.

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

6
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
33 Annual Master's Degrees
#5 Best Quality In IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

DePaul is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Illinois.

There were approximately 33 special education students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available.

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

7
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
20 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Best Quality In IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Lewis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Romeoville. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Illinois.

There were roughly 20 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at Lewis in the most recent year we have data available.

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

8
19 Annual Master's Degrees
#19 Best Quality In IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Chicago, SXU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were about 19 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at SXU 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 $46,200.

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

8
19 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Best Quality In IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Illinois State is a very large public university located in the suburb of Normal. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Illinois.

There were approximately 19 special education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent data year.

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

10
Dominican U crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
16 Annual Master's Degrees
#6 Best Quality In IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican U is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in special education in Illinois.

There were roughly 16 special education individuals who graduated with this degree at Dominican U in the most recent year we have data available.

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

Best Special Education Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Most Popular Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
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 399
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 16
Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented 15
Other Special Education & Teaching 6
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 2

Related Major Annual Graduates
Educational Administration 1,210
Curriculum & Instruction 864
Teacher Education Grade Specific 860
Teacher Education Subject Specific 786
Student Counseling 340
General Education 307
Instructional Media Design 182
Teaching English or French 128
Multilingual Education 75
Education Philosophy 65

Notes and References

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