Best Special Education and Teaching Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 13 colleges offering Special Education and Teaching programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 470 recent graduates. Graduates in Illinois earn $42,232 on average within two years — 12% above the national average of $37,701, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

Schools in IL

$42,232

IL Avg. Earnings

$37,701

National Avg.

250

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Special Education and Teaching in Illinois

Public Schools (8)

$42,572

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (5)

$41,689

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Illinois produce comparable or higher early earnings for Special Education and Teaching graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Special Education and Teaching Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$44,170

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,023

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 43.7%

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, IL · Private

$40,458

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,363

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 88.6%

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$43,277

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,969

Graduates: 68

Acceptance: 70.5%

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$43,584

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,480

Graduates: 175

Acceptance: 89.0%

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public

$52,107

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 70.4%

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL · Private

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,568

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 72.7%

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public

$39,317

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,628

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 67.8%

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$45,500

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 81.4%

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$40,500

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,193

Graduates: 32

Acceptance: 75.0%

#10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$36,176

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,104

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 97.2%

#11

University of St Francis

Joliet, IL · Private

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

$40,402

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,322

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 76.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Special Education and Teaching in Illinois?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks #1 for Special Education and Teaching in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $44,170 within two years of graduation. There are 13 schools offering Special Education and Teaching programs in the state.

How much do Special Education and Teaching graduates earn in Illinois?

Special Education and Teaching graduates in Illinois earn an average of $42,232 within two years of graduation. This is 12% above the national average of $37,701 for this major.

What is the hardest Special Education and Teaching school to get into in Illinois?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the most selective Special Education and Teaching program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 43.7%. The average acceptance rate across Special Education and Teaching programs in the state is 75.9%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Special Education and Teaching in Illinois?

In Illinois, private Special Education and Teaching programs produce average earnings of $41,689 vs $42,572 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 8 public and 5 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318

All colleges in Illinois →

Special Education and Teaching in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.