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Best Special Education Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois

30 Colleges
$47,433 Avg Salary
$23,191 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Special Education 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.

The Best Special Education Schools in Illinois ranking is one of many tools that Teaching Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 30 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best programs for teaching students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois

The colleges and universities below are the best for special ed majors pursuing a .

Top 10 Best Special Education Schools

Our 2023 rankings named Illinois State University the best school in Illinois for special education students. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, special ed majors at Illinois State accumulate an average of around $20,500 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $201.

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

While working on their degree, special ed majors at UIUC accumulate an average of around $13,750 in student debt.

Full Special Education at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Report

#3

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL

The excellent programs at Olivet Nazarene University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best special education schools in Illinois. Olivet Nazarene is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small suburb of Bourbonnais.

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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great place for special education students. Located in the small city of Carbondale, SIUC is a public school with a large student population.

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#5

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL

Out of the 30 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Lewis University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

On average, special ed graduates from Lewis take out $24,779 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Special Education at Lewis University Report

#6

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Special Education Schools in Illinois ranking. Trinity Christian is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights.

On average, special ed graduates from Trinity Christian take out $34,270 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Special Education at Trinity Christian College

#7

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Special Education Schools in Illinois ranking. Elmhurst is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Elmhurst.

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#8

Bradley University

Peoria, IL

Bradley University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Special Education Schools in Illinois ranking. Bradley is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Peoria.

Full Special Education at Bradley University Report

Loyola University Chicago landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best special education programs. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

Read full report on Special Education at Loyola University Chicago

#10

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Special Education Schools in Illinois ranking. EIU is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Charleston.

The average amount in student loans that special ed majors at EIU take out is $21,377.

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Best Special Education Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Special Education Colleges 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.

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