Find Teaching Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois

26 Colleges
$38,520 Avg Salary
$25,108 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree School for You

Out of the majors we analyze each year, special education was ranked 4th in Illinois. In fact, 1,153 were awarded in the state in 2020-2021.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which teaching program is right for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Teaching Degree Search has created the Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 26 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best bachelor's degree programs for teaching students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school is, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois

The colleges and universities below are the best for special ed majors pursuing a bachelor's degree.

Top 10 Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools

Our analysis found Illinois State University to be the best school for special education students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, special ed majors at Illinois State accumulate an average of around $19,363 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $201.

Full Special Education at Illinois State University Report

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a great place for special education students working on their bachelor’s degree. UIUC is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Champaign.

Read More…

#3

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL

Out of the 26 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Lewis University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Romeoville, Lewis is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

Full Special Education at Lewis University Report

#4

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, IL

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Trinity Christian College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Trinity Christian is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights.

Special Ed majors at Trinity Christian take out an average of $35,227 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Special Education at Trinity Christian College Report

#5

Aurora University

Aurora, IL

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Aurora University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best special education schools in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

Read full report on Special Education at Aurora University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree special education programs. Located in the city of Carbondale, SIUC is a public college with a large student population.

Special Ed majors at SIUC take out an average of $28,021 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Read full report on Special Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#7

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. EIU is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of Charleston.

Read full report on Special Education at Eastern Illinois University

#8

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Elmhurst is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Elmhurst.

Read More…

Loyola University Chicago came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

Read More…

#10

Bradley University

Peoria, IL

Bradley University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree special education programs. Bradley is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Peoria.

Read More…

Best Special Education Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

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

State Degrees Awarded
Ohio 1,329
Indiana 2,282
Michigan 607
Wisconsin 598

One of 14 majors within the teaching area of study, special education has other similar majors worth exploring.

Special Ed Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Special Education 24,497
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 3,111
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 1,789
Elementary Special Education 1,625
Other Special Education & Teaching 1,227
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism 1,133
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs 655
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities 540
Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented 504
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments 415
Education of the Deaf 363
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances 226
Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed 222
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/Middle School Special Education Programs 181
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness 134
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities 122
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic & Other Physical Health Impairments 47
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries 1

Related Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 110,226
Educational Administration 46,469
Teacher Education Subject Specific 43,297
General Education 29,810
Curriculum & Instruction 19,832

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to woodleywonderworks.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Teaching Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited education & teaching schools across the U.S.