Compare 86 Special Education and Teaching. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $41,857.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Special Education and Teaching tells a different story. Across 86 programs, earnings range from $44,713 to $61,326—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Special Education program leads with graduates earning $61,326, well above the $41,857 average. Close behind, Northeastern Illinois University produces graduates earning $59,948, proving that strong outcomes aren't exclusive to prestigious institutions—program-specific factors drive results.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Northeastern Illinois University graduates borrow $14,600 and face just a 5.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.24.
Highest program earnings: $61,326
Strong outcomes ($59,948) with 70% acceptance
5.4% payment burden | Excellent
11.1% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $61,326 | 26 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #2 | $59,948 | 5 | $14,600 | Excellent | $13,578 | Good | |
| #3 | $54,167 | 51 | $19,000 | Good | $15,945 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $51,531 | 35 | $19,509 | Good | $32,850 | High | |
| #5 | $49,771 | 27 | $19,500 | Good | $25,729 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $49,494 | 55 | $24,500 | Manageable | $26,392 | High | |
| #7 | $49,485 | 34 | $22,162 | Good | $19,508 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $49,411 | 156 | $20,482 | Good | $28,767 | High | |
| #9 | $49,281 | 39 | $21,106 | Good | $13,695 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $48,773 | 26 | $19,500 | Good | $29,448 | High | |
| #11 | $48,378 | 19 | $23,000 | Manageable | $16,149 | Challenging | |
| #12 | Trinity Christian CollegePrivate | $47,999 | 13 | $25,009 | Manageable | $18,426 | Challenging |
| #13 | $47,683 | 51 | $20,484 | Good | $28,364 | High | |
| #14 | $47,374 | 51 | $23,250 | Manageable | $37,401 | High | |
| #15 | $47,106 | 48 | $23,188 | Manageable | $18,635 | Challenging | |
| #16 | Winona State UniversityPublic | $46,505 | 40 | $21,500 | Manageable | $19,316 | High |
| #17 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $45,500 | 7 | $24,157 | Manageable | $54,045 | High |
| #18 | Ball State UniversityPublic | $45,379 | 65 | $23,250 | Manageable | $20,800 | High |
| #19 | University Of DaytonPrivate | $44,985 | 31 | $23,250 | Manageable | $43,810 | High |
| #20 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $44,713 | 22 | $21,250 | Manageable | $16,378 | Challenging |
| #21 | $44,496 | 44 | $25,000 | Manageable | $16,878 | High | |
| #22 | $44,358 | 43 | $21,000 | Manageable | $25,798 | High | |
| #23 | Upper Iowa UniversityPrivate | $44,304 | 22 | $25,000 | Manageable | $14,000 | High |
| #24 | $44,253 | 84 | $20,909 | Manageable | $12,452 | Challenging | |
| #25 | $44,173 | 12 | $25,251 | Manageable | $20,764 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
