2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

For return on investment in special education, no school beat Oakland Community College this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $20,115. Early-career special education graduates make about $73,322. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

3

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,452. Early-career special education graduates make about $53,426. That is a strong return on a $21,452 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

4

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Northeastern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $17,600. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $69,073. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

5

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,276 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,773. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #6 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $18,925 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,086. Set against $18,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

7

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University placed #7 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Special Education graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $54,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

8

Indiana University South Bend
South Bend, IN

Indiana University South Bend placed #8 among the best values for special education. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $24,640. Early-career special education graduates make about $47,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

9

University Of Akron Wayne College
Orrville, OH

University Of Akron Wayne College landed the #9 spot for special education value this year. University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public school located in the rural area of Orrville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,723, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,669 in student loans. Special Education graduates of University Of Akron Wayne College earn a median of $36,776 early in their careers. Set against $21,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Wayne College admits about 90% of applicants.

10

Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University earned the #10 position for value in special education this year. 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, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $21,710. Special Education graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $39,867 early in their careers. Set against $21,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,500. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,306. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

12

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,607. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #13 for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $19,850. Special Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $44,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

14

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #14 for value in special education this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $25,972. Special Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $61,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,046 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Wisconsin Superior
Superior, WI

University Of Wisconsin Superior landed the #16 spot for special education value this year. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. In-state tuition and fees average $8,812, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Students borrow a median of $27,845 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $55,057. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

17

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #17 among the best values for special education. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, 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. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

18

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University came in at #18 for value in special education this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,236. Special Education graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #19 for value in special education this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $49,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

20

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #20 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $29,873 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,209. That is a strong return on a $29,873 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.

21

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University placed #21 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Special Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $54,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

22

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #22 position for value in special education this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Special Education graduates carry a median of $43,500 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,917. That is a strong return on a $43,500 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

23

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University placed #23 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,125 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $40,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

24

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University earned the #24 position for value in special education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. 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. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.

25

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #25 among the best values for special education. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $22,863 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $50,174. That is a strong return on a $22,863 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.