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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Reading Teacher Education Schools in Illinois

10 Colleges in the United States
205 Reading Teacher Education Degrees Awarded
$57,115 Avg Early-Career Salary

Reading Teacher Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for reading teacher education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Reading Teacher Education in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall reading teacher education education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Reading Teacher Education

1

Leading the list is Illinois State University, our #1 school for reading teacher education. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 reading teacher education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the reading teacher education program make about $50,102 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,149 to complete this degree. See the full reading teacher education program report for Illinois State University

2

Students looking for a strong reading teacher education program will find one at Northeastern Illinois University, which ranked #2. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. About 18 reading teacher education degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their reading teacher education degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $77,040 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. Get the full reading teacher education details for Northeastern Illinois University

3

A rank of #3 makes Northern Illinois University one of the top schools for reading teacher education. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 reading teacher education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $51,839. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $26,746 in student loans. See the full reading teacher education program report for Northern Illinois University

4

Students looking for a strong reading teacher education program will find one at National Louis University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 reading teacher education degrees were awarded at National Louis University in the most recent year. Students who receive their reading teacher education degree from National Louis University earn around $65,720 in the first couple years of their career. National Louis University graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Get the full reading teacher education details for National Louis University

5

Students looking for a strong reading teacher education program will find one at Concordia University Chicago, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of River Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. There were roughly 44 reading teacher education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,796. Concordia University Chicago graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the reading teacher education program at Concordia University Chicago

6
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #6 spot for reading teacher education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 reading teacher education students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete this degree. Get the full reading teacher education details for Lewis University

7

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #7 spot for reading teacher education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 38 reading teacher education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their reading teacher education degree from Olivet Nazarene University earn around $51,475 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full reading teacher education details for Olivet Nazarene University

8

University Of St Francis placed #8 among the best reading teacher education schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. University Of St Francis awarded about 15 reading teacher education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $59,586. University Of St Francis graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Read more about the reading teacher education program at University Of St Francis

9

Western Illinois University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best reading teacher education schools. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 reading teacher education degrees were awarded at Western Illinois University in the most recent year. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $50,756 early in their careers. Western Illinois University graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. See the full reading teacher education program report for Western Illinois University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 23 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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