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Best Special Education Schools in Michigan

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2023 Best Special Education Schools in Michigan

18 Colleges
$43,967 Avg Salary
$30,413 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Special Education School for You

Special Education is one of the most popular subjects to study in Michigan. With 607 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, it ranked 5th out of all the majors we track in the state.

There are so many teaching programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one 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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Teaching Degree Search has created its Best Special Education Schools in Michigan ranking. This report analyzed 18 schools in Michigan to see which ones offered the best programs for teaching students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Special Education Schools in Michigan

The following schools top our list of the Best Special Education Colleges.

Top 10 Best Special Education Schools

#1

Hope College

Holland, MI

Our analysis found Hope College to be the best school for special education students who want to pursue a degree in Michigan. Hope is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Holland.

Read full report on Special Education at Hope College

#2

Calvin University

Grand Rapids, MI

Out of the 18 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s ranking, Calvin University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Calvin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Grand Rapids.

Read full report on Special Education at Calvin University

#3

Alma College

Alma, MI

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Alma College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Special Education Schools in Michigan list. Located in the distant town of Alma, Alma is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Read More…

#4

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI

Out of the 18 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Michigan University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Central Michigan is a large public school located in the distant town of Mount Pleasant.

The average amount in student loans that special ed majors at Central Michigan take out is $31,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $385, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Special Education at Central Michigan University Report

#5

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

The excellent programs at Michigan State University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best special education schools in Michigan. Michigan State is a very large public school located in the small city of East Lansing.

After completing their degree, special ed graduates from Michigan State carry an average student debtload of $22,873.

Full Special Education at Michigan State University Report

Grand Valley State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best special education programs. Located in the large suburb of Allendale, GVSU is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, special ed graduates from GVSU carry an average student debtload of $31,000.

Read full report on Special Education at Grand Valley State University

Western Michigan University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Special Education Schools in Michigan list. WMU is a large public school located in the small city of Kalamazoo.

After completing their degree, special ed graduates from WMU carry an average student debtload of $31,000.

Read More…

#8

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, MI

With a ranking of #8, Saginaw Valley State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for special education students. Located in the medium-sized suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

After completing their degree, special ed graduates from Saginaw Valley State University carry an average student debtload of $30,000.

Full Special Education at Saginaw Valley State University Report

Concordia University, Ann Arbor came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Special Education Schools in Michigan ranking. Concordia University, Ann Arbor is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor.

Read full report on Special Education at Concordia University, Ann Arbor

#10

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI

With a ranking of #10, Oakland University did quite well on this year’s best schools for special education students. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland is a public school with a large student population.

Read full report on Special Education at Oakland University

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
Illinois 1,153
Indiana 2,282
Wisconsin 598

Special Education is one of 14 different types of teaching programs to choose from.

Special Ed Concentrations

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 18 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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