2026 Best Value General Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

For return on investment in general special education, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $73,322. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

2

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

A rank of #2 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for general special education. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $21,452. Early-career general special education graduates make about $53,426. That is a strong return on a $21,452 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

3

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

A rank of #3 makes Northeastern Illinois University one of the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $69,073 early in their careers. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.

4

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

A rank of #4 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for general special education. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $54,613. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

5

Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Vincennes University earned it the #5 place for general special education. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,710 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $39,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in general special education this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,925 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,086 early in their careers. Set against $18,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

7

Indiana University South Bend
South Bend, IN

Indiana University South Bend earned the #7 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $47,733. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

8

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #8 among the best values for general special education. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $19,500. Early-career general special education graduates make about $51,306. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

9

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #9 position for value in general special education this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $23,607 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $43,844. Set against $23,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 for value in general special education this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $19,850. General Special Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $44,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,850 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

11

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #11 spot for general special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $61,223. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,046 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.

13

University Of Wisconsin Superior
Superior, WI

University Of Wisconsin Superior placed #13 among the best values for general special education. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,845 to complete the general special education program here. Early-career general special education graduates make about $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #14 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $44,945. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

15

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University placed #15 among the best values for general special education. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $26,236. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.

16

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #16 position for value in general special education this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $49,737. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

17

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University earned the #17 position for value in general special education this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,873 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $48,209 early in their careers. Set against $29,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

18

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University landed the #18 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general special education program here. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $54,096. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

19

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University landed the #19 spot for general special education value this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $29,125. Early-career general special education graduates make about $40,042. Set against $29,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

20

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $43,500. General Special Education graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $51,917 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $43,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

21

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University came in at #21 for value in general special education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $29,242. General Special Education graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $57,644 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

22

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #22 for value in general special education this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Special Education graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $40,389 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

23

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #23 position for value in general special education this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. General Special Education graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Early-career general special education graduates make about $44,429. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.

24

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general special education schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general special education graduates is $22,863. Early-career general special education graduates make about $50,174. That is a strong return on a $22,863 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

25

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #25 spot for general special education value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general special education program here. General Special Education graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.