Best masters in special education in Illinois

Special Education master’s graduates in Illinois earn a weighted average salary of $54,144 3 years after graduation, placing them in the top 50% nationally.

Our special education graduate rankings cover 10 of the 19 programs available in Illinois, accounting for 78% of total student graduates. We only include schools with sufficient earnings and/or debt data.

Cost of living is not considered when comparing states.

For more information visit our guide to special education. Interested in how we rank schools? Review our ranking methodology.

Read more
Filters

19 Results

  • Education
  • Special Education
  • Illinois
  • Clear all filters
Sort By
Earnings
Debt
Rankings
Ranking methodology
#1 in Illinois | #6 in Special Education nationally
Economic score 0.23

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $57,180

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.2

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $13,905

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#2 in Illinois | #11 in Special Education nationally

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Economic score 0.27

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $60,306

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $18,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#3 in Illinois | #33 in Special Education nationally
Economic score 0.36

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $58,977

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $23,044

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#4 in Illinois | #74 in Special Education nationally

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois

Economic score 0.47

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $55,288

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $26,472

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#5 in Illinois | #75 in Special Education nationally

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score 0.47

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $56,157

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $27,333

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#6 in Illinois | #128 in Special Education nationally

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score 0.58

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $49,532

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $26,207

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#7 in Illinois | #129 in Special Education nationally
Economic score 0.58

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $50,553

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $27,466

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#8 in Illinois | #134 in Special Education nationally
Economic score 0.58

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $43,202

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $20,169

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#9 in Illinois | #166 in Special Education nationally

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score 0.67

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $57,588

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $41,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#10 in Illinois | #186 in Special Education nationally

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Economic score 0.74

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $50,218

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $34,454

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Economic score N/A

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $42,682

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings N/A

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt N/A

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Economic score N/A

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $47,260

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings N/A

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt N/A

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Greenville University

Greenville, Illinois

Economic score N/A

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $45,641

Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings N/A

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt N/A

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

How long does it take to pay down debt in special education in Illinois?

Years

Under a year

The average debt accrued from a master's degree in special education is covered by average graduate earnings in under a year.

How much do graduates with a master's degree in special education earn in Illinois?

Salary

$54,144

The median master's degree in special education graduate earns $54,144 3 years after graduating.

How much does a master's degree in special education cost in Illinois?

Net cost

$16,921

The average annual cost of a master's degree in special education is $16,921. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.

Explore our other rankings

Best colleges with graduate programs in education

A master's in teaching enhances skills, expands career opportunities, and equips educators with innovative teaching methods to support student success.

Best graduate schools for early childhood education

Deepen your proficiency at nurturing young children's development with a master's in early childhood education.

Best colleges with elementary education programs

The MA in elementary education can provide profound insight into pedagogy. Increase the effectiveness of your teaching and unlock exciting career opportunities.

Best colleges with secondary education programs

A master's in secondary education can help you become a better teacher to high school students. It can also lead to better earnings and opportunities.

Best colleges with English as a second language programs

A master's in English as a second language can prepare you to work with non-native speakers of English, improving their language acquisition.

Best colleges with master's in reading and literacy programs

By pursuing a master's in reading literacy, you can prepare for specialized roles and improve student outcomes in reading.