2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for special education in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $73,322. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

2

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

A rank of #2 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for special education. 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. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $53,426. That is a strong return on a $21,452 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

3

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #3 place for special education. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 75%.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for special education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $18,925. Special Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,925 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

6

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $19,850 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $44,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

7

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University placed #7 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,046. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,955. Set against $26,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

8

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University landed the #8 spot for special education value this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $45,546. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

9

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University came in at #9 for value in special education this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $29,242. 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.

10

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #10 among the best values for special education. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $44,429. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.

11

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago came in at #11 for value in special education this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $64,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

12

Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College placed #12 among the best values for special education. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Students borrow a median of $35,611 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $48,840. Set against $35,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

13

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $48,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.

14

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #14 position for value in special education this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Special Education graduates carry a median of $20,436 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $52,626 early in their careers. Set against $20,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $56,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.

16

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University came in at #16 for value in special education this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $50,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.

17

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #17 spot for special education value this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $68,371 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.

18

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #18 among the best values for special education. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $67,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

19

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $23,521. Early-career special education graduates make about $58,568. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.