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Best Special Education Master's Degree Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Special Education Master's Degree Schools in Illinois

22 Colleges
$49,761 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Special Education Master'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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Teaching Degree Search has created its Best Special Education Master's Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Our analysis looked at 22 schools in Illinois to see which master's degree programs offered the best educational experiences 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 Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois

Check out the special ed master's degree programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 10 Best Special Education Master's Degree Schools

#1

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL

Our analysis found Lewis University to be the best school for special education students who want to pursue a master’s degree in Illinois. Located in the large suburb of Romeoville, Lewis is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

Read full report on Special Education at Lewis University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Full Special Education at Illinois State University Report

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Illinois at Chicago is a great place for special education students working on their master’s degree. Located in the large city of Chicago, UIC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on Special Education at University of Illinois at Chicago

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. UIUC is a very large public school located in the small city of Champaign.

Read More…

#5

Dominican University

River Forest, IL

The excellent master’s degree programs at Dominican University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best special education schools in Illinois. Dominican U is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of River Forest.

Read More…

University of St Francis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for special education students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University of Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Special Education at University of St Francis Report

#7

Aurora University

Aurora, IL

Aurora University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

Full Special Education at Aurora University Report

#8

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best master’s degree special education programs. Elmhurst is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst.

Read full report on Special Education at Elmhurst University

#9

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, IL

With a ranking of #9, Trinity Christian College did quite well on this year’s best schools for special education students working on their master’s degree. Trinity Christian is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Palos Heights.

Full Special Education at Trinity Christian College Report

#10

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. EIU is a medium-sized public school located in the distant town of Charleston.

Read full report on Special Education at Eastern Illinois University

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 22 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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