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Most Popular Online Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Online Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

19 Colleges
$42,394 Avg Salary
$26,337 Avg Student Debt

With 36,792 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, special education is the #4 most popular major in the United States.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which teaching program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Teaching Degree Search has created its Most Popular Online Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 19 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular online programs for teaching students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Online Special Education Colleges.

#1

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

Our analysis found Ball State University to be the most popular school for special education students who want to pursue an online degree in the Great Lakes Region . Ball State is a very large public school located in the small city of Muncie.

After completing their degree, special ed graduates from Ball State carry an average student debtload of $27,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $278.

Read full report on Special Education at Ball State University

#2

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Saint Mary of the Woods, IN

Out of the 19 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College landed the # 2 spot on the list. SMWC is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods.

After completing their degree, special ed graduates from SMWC carry an average student debtload of $32,277.

Read More…

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a great place for special education students pursuing an online degree. Located in the fringe town of Bowling Green, BGSU is a public college with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that special ed majors at BGSU take out is $24,625. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $297.

Read full report on Special Education at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

#4

Viterbo University

La Crosse, WI

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Viterbo University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Online Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Viterbo is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of La Crosse.

Full Special Education at Viterbo University Report

#5

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Olivet Nazarene University is a great place for special education students pursuing an online degree. Olivet Nazarene is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais.

Read More…

#6

American College of Education

Indianapolis, IN

With a ranking of #6, American College of Education did quite well on this year’s best schools for special education students. American College of Education is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in the large city of Indianapolis.

Read full report on Special Education at American College of Education

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

With a ranking of #7, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for special education students. Purdue is a fairly large public school located in the small city of West Lafayette.

While working on their degree, special ed majors at Purdue accumulate an average of around $22,883 in student debt.

Read full report on Special Education at Purdue University - Main Campus

#8

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Online Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Oakland is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills.

Full Special Education at Oakland University Report

#8

Mount St. Joseph University

Cincinnati, OH

With a ranking of #8, Mount St. Joseph University did quite well on this year’s best schools for special education students. Mount St. Joe is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Cincinnati.

Full Special Education at Mount St. Joseph University Report

#10

Franklin University

Columbus, OH

Franklin University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best special education programs. Located in the large city of Columbus, Franklin University is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

Read More…

Explore the most popular online special education schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.

State Degrees Awarded
Ohio 1,329
Illinois 1,153
Indiana 2,282
Michigan 607
Wisconsin 598

More Special Education Rankings in the Great Lakes Region

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 19 schools only.

  • 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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