[College research](/) / [Rankings](/rankings/)

# Top Special Education and Teaching Programs in the Midwest

Updated September 30, 2026

Part of [Best Education Colleges in the Midwest](/rankings/best-education-colleges-in-the-midwest/)

Regional list from [Special Education and Teaching Programs Ranked by Earnings](/rankings/best-special-education-and-teaching-programs/)

This page ranks the 82 Special Education and Teaching programs in the Midwest by the median earnings of Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, highest first. [University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign](/school/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/majors/) leads the list with median earnings of $60,685 four years after completing, followed by [University of Minnesota-Twin Cities](/school/university-of-minnesota-twin-cities/majors/) at $58,675 and [Michigan State University](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) at $58,522.

The gap between the top two is $2,010. Across the list, figures range from $60,685 to $32,035, with a median of $46,850.

For 22 of the 82 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

Public institutions account for 66% of the list, with 54 public and 28 private nonprofit schools represented. Saginaw Valley State University posts the lowest average net price at $10,775, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks 35th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

82 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, IL | $60,685 | $14,355 | $2,038 | 42.4% |
|  | [University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign](/school/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, reporting [median earnings of $60,685](/school/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 2 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · Minneapolis, MN | $58,675 | $16,778 | $6,642 | 79.8% |
|  | An [admission rate of 80%](/school/university-of-minnesota-twin-cities/admissions/) and median earnings of $58,675 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing are posted by [University of Minnesota-Twin Cities](/school/university-of-minnesota-twin-cities/majors/). |
| 3 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $58,522 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
|  | [Michigan State University](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) shows [median federal debt of $26,375](/school/michigan-state-university/cost/) among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed, alongside earnings of $58,522 four years after completing. |
| 4 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $58,182 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 81.2% |
|  | [Wayne State University](/school/wayne-state-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $12,766](/school/wayne-state-university/cost/) and an earnings cohort of 16 graduates. |
| 5 | Trinity Christian College · Palos Heights, IL | $55,713 | $19,125 | $12,891 | 84.9% |
|  | Trinity Christian College, a private nonprofit institution in Palos Heights, reports median earnings of $55,713 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 6 | University of Nebraska at Omaha · Omaha, NE | $55,665 | $13,441 | $10,534 | 87.0% |
|  | [University of Nebraska at Omaha](/school/university-of-nebraska-at-omaha/majors/) [ranks 186th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-nebraska-at-omaha/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports earnings of $55,665 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates. |
| 7 | Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN | $55,308 | $14,600 | $5,098 | 49.9% |
|  | [Purdue University-Main Campus](/school/purdue-university-main-campus/majors/) [admits 50% of applicants](/school/purdue-university-main-campus/admissions/) and shows median federal debt of $26,000 among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed. |
| 8 | Doane University · Crete, NE | $54,733 | $26,364 | $21,129 | 98.0% |
|  | Doane University reports an average net price of $26,364 and median earnings of $54,733 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 9 | Eastern Michigan University · Ypsilanti, MI | $54,303 | $15,407 | $13,250 | 79.6% |
|  | [Eastern Michigan University](/school/eastern-michigan-university/majors/) lists an earnings cohort of 40 graduates and [median earnings of $54,303](/school/eastern-michigan-university/outcomes/) four years after completing. |
| 10 | University of Toledo · Toledo, OH | $53,958 | $17,249 | $13,524 | 92.0% |
|  | [University of Toledo](/school/university-of-toledo/majors/) reports [median federal debt of $20,500](/school/university-of-toledo/cost/) among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed, with an admission rate of 92%. |
| 11 | Northern Illinois University · Dekalb, IL | $53,148 | $13,391 | $10,126 | 69.8% |
|  | [Northern Illinois University](/school/northern-illinois-university/majors/) [ranks 116th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/northern-illinois-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $13,391. |
| 12 | Illinois State University · Normal, IL | $52,864 | $19,398 | $11,568 | 88.2% |
|  | [Illinois State University](/school/illinois-state-university/majors/) reports an earnings cohort of 147 graduates alongside [median earnings of $52,864](/school/illinois-state-university/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee · Milwaukee, WI | $52,142 | $15,014 | $10,329 | 90.7% |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee](/school/university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee/majors/) reports [median earnings of $52,142](/school/university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, with 15 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 14 | Northeastern Illinois University · Chicago, IL | $52,107 | $14,109 | $13,709 | 74.6% |
|  | [Northeastern Illinois University](/school/northeastern-illinois-university/majors/) [admits 75% of applicants](/school/northeastern-illinois-university/admissions/) and shows an average net price of $14,109. |
| 15 | Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN | $52,008 | $16,264 | $6,324 | 78.2% |
|  | [Indiana University-Bloomington](/school/indiana-university-bloomington/majors/) carries a [median federal debt of $19,500](/school/indiana-university-bloomington/cost/) among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $52,008 four years after completing. |
| 16 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater · Whitewater, WI | $51,908 | $14,158 | $8,440 | 85.7% |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-Whitewater](/school/university-of-wisconsin-whitewater/majors/) [ranks 385th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-wisconsin-whitewater/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $51,908 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 17 | University of Missouri-Columbia · Columbia, MO | $51,901 | $20,268 | $13,841 | 78.5% |
|  | An [average net price of $20,268](/school/university-of-missouri-columbia/cost/) and a median federal debt of $19,455 among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed are reported by [University of Missouri-Columbia](/school/university-of-missouri-columbia/majors/). |
| 18 | Minnesota State University-Mankato · Mankato, MN | $51,630 | $19,139 | $12,339 | 88.4% |
|  | [Minnesota State University-Mankato](/school/minnesota-state-university-mankato/majors/) reports [median earnings of $51,630](/school/minnesota-state-university-mankato/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, from a cohort of 32 graduates. |
| 19 | Lewis University · Romeoville, IL | $51,522 | $17,028 | $10,382 | 71.3% |
|  | [Lewis University](/school/lewis-university/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Romeoville, [admits 71% of applicants](/school/lewis-university/admissions/) and carries a median federal debt of $22,500 among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed. |
| 20 | University of Dayton · Dayton, OH | $51,389 | $29,533 | $21,736 | 65.5% |
|  | [University of Dayton](/school/university-of-dayton/majors/) reports [median earnings of $51,389](/school/university-of-dayton/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $21,736 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 21 | Ball State University · Muncie, IN | $51,267 | $14,940 | $7,834 | 85.5% |
|  | [Ball State University](/school/ball-state-university/majors/) [ranks 279th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/ball-state-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 50 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 22 | Ohio University-Main Campus · Athens, OH | $51,258 | $21,637 | $15,673 | 85.0% |
|  | [Ohio University-Main Campus](/school/ohio-university-main-campus/majors/) carries a [median federal debt of $26,950](/school/ohio-university-main-campus/cost/) among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed and reports median earnings of $51,258 four years after completing. |
| 23 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $50,665 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 84.6% |
|  | [Western Michigan University](/school/western-michigan-university/majors/) shows an [average net price of $15,273](/school/western-michigan-university/cost/) and admits 85% of applicants. |
| 24 | University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI | $50,302 | $17,354 | $4,200 | 45.2% |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/school/university-of-wisconsin-madison/majors/) [admits 45% of applicants](/school/university-of-wisconsin-madison/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $50,302 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 25 | Grace College and Theological Seminary · Winona Lake, IN | $50,212 | $19,932 | $10,998 | 82.2% |
|  | Grace College and Theological Seminary reports median earnings of $50,212 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $10,998 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 26 | Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH | $50,194 | $17,339 | $4,885 | 60.6% |
|  | [Ohio State University-Main Campus](/school/ohio-state-university-main-campus/majors/) [admits 61% of applicants](/school/ohio-state-university-main-campus/admissions/) and shows a median federal debt of $24,625 among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed. |
| 27 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $50,095 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 89.8% |
|  | [Central Michigan University](/school/central-michigan-university/majors/) ranks 27th on this list, with [median earnings of $50,095](/school/central-michigan-university/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 28 | Saginaw Valley State University · University Center, MI | $50,078 | $10,775 | $9,844 | 72.1% |
|  | [Saginaw Valley State University](/school/saginaw-valley-state-university/majors/) posts the lowest average net price on the page at $10,775, and its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing earn a [median of $50,078](/school/saginaw-valley-state-university/outcomes/). |
| 29 | Winona State University · Winona, MN | $49,824 | $17,503 | $10,224 | 75.5% |
|  | [Winona State University](/school/winona-state-university/majors/) sits 579th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing earn a [median of $49,824](/school/winona-state-university/outcomes/). |
| 30 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $49,814 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 83.0% |
|  | [Grand Valley State University](/school/grand-valley-state-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $12,272](/school/grand-valley-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, and its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing earn a median of $49,814. |
| 31 | Concordia University-Wisconsin · Mequon, WI | $49,463 | $36,201 | $34,991 | 78.2% |
|  | Concordia University-Wisconsin shows a median federal debt of $25,750 across all of its borrowers who completed, and its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing earn a median of $49,463. |
| 32 | Upper Iowa University · Fayette, IA | $49,098 | $20,942 | $17,715 | 96.5% |
|  | Upper Iowa University admits 96% of applicants, and its Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed left with a median of $27,812 in federal loans. |
| 33 | University of Wisconsin-Stout · Menomonie, WI | $48,444 | $17,490 | $10,966 | 87.7% |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-Stout](/school/university-of-wisconsin-stout/majors/) ranks 33rd on this list, with [median earnings of $48,444](/school/university-of-wisconsin-stout/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 34 | Black Hills State University · Spearfish, SD | $48,332 | $15,911 | $11,863 | 96.3% |
|  | Black Hills State University sits 1318th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing earn a median of $48,332. |
| 35 | Saint Cloud State University · Saint Cloud, MN | $48,296 | $13,529 | $8,909 | 94.8% |
|  | [Saint Cloud State University](/school/saint-cloud-state-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $8,909](/school/saint-cloud-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, and its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing earn a median of $48,296. |
| 36 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus · Cincinnati, OH | $48,124 | $25,648 | $17,974 | 85.3% |
|  | [University of Cincinnati-Main Campus](/school/university-of-cincinnati-main-campus/majors/) shows a [median federal debt of $24,094](/school/university-of-cincinnati-main-campus/cost/) among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed, and its graduates four years after completing earn a median of $48,124. |
| 37 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire · Eau Claire, WI | $47,877 | $16,550 | $10,270 | 82.3% |
|  | With 77 graduates in the earnings cohort, [University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire](/school/university-of-wisconsin-eau-claire/majors/) reports [median earnings of $47,877](/school/university-of-wisconsin-eau-claire/outcomes/) four years after completing. |
| 38 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh · Oshkosh, WI | $47,828 | $14,305 | $9,236 | 86.5% |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh](/school/university-of-wisconsin-oshkosh/majors/) shows a [median federal debt of $25,500](/school/university-of-wisconsin-oshkosh/cost/) among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed alongside median earnings of $47,828 four years after completing. |
| 39 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln · Lincoln, NE | $47,592 | $17,747 | $12,751 | 87.5% |
|  | Admitting 87% of applicants, [University of Nebraska-Lincoln](/school/university-of-nebraska-lincoln/majors/) posts [median earnings of $47,592](/school/university-of-nebraska-lincoln/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 40 | Eastern Illinois University · Charleston, IL | $47,566 | $12,786 | $9,828 | 65.4% |
|  | [Eastern Illinois University](/school/eastern-illinois-university/majors/) [ranks 585th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/eastern-illinois-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $47,566 four years after completing. |
| 41 | Miami University-Oxford · Oxford, OH | $47,226 | $28,384 | $16,015 | 75.4% |
|  | [Miami University-Oxford](/school/miami-university-oxford/majors/) shows an [average net price of $16,015](/school/miami-university-oxford/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and reports median earnings of $47,226 four years after completing. |
| 42 | Northwest Missouri State University · Maryville, MO | $46,475 | $16,244 | $13,176 | 86.1% |
|  | [Northwest Missouri State University](/school/northwest-missouri-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $46,475](/school/northwest-missouri-state-university/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, below the $46,850 list median. |
| 43 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point · Stevens Point, WI | $46,315 | $14,559 | $8,833 | 91.8% |
|  | A [median federal debt of $20,500](/school/university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point/cost/) among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed and median earnings of $46,315 four years after completing are reported by [University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point](/school/university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point/majors/). |
| 44 | Dakota State University · Madison, SD | $46,095 | $21,057 | $17,317 | 88.1% |
|  | Dakota State University admits 88% of applicants and its Special Education and Teaching graduates report median earnings of $46,095 four years after completing. |
| 45 | Capital University · Columbus, OH | $45,924 | $22,576 | $19,062 | 70.2% |
|  | [Capital University](/school/capital-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $45,924](/school/capital-university/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, with 14 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 46 | Loyola University Chicago · Chicago, IL | $45,500 | $36,079 | $28,992 | 81.6% |
|  | [Loyola University Chicago](/school/loyola-university-chicago/majors/) [ranks 527th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/loyola-university-chicago/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $36,079. |
| 47 | University of South Dakota · Vermillion, SD | $45,415 | $19,858 | $14,921 | 98.8% |
|  | [University of South Dakota](/school/university-of-south-dakota/majors/) shows a [median federal debt of $25,000](/school/university-of-south-dakota/cost/) among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed alongside median earnings of $45,415 four years after completing. |
| 48 | Western Illinois University · Macomb, IL | $45,395 | $12,937 | $6,941 | 71.2% |
|  | [Western Illinois University](/school/western-illinois-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $6,941](/school/western-illinois-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and its Special Education and Teaching graduates report median earnings of $45,395 four years after completing. |
| 49 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling Green, OH | $45,224 | $24,022 | $18,396 | 81.0% |
|  | [Bowling Green State University-Main Campus](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/majors/) reports [median earnings of $45,224](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, with 204 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 50 | Augsburg University · Minneapolis, MN | $44,170 | $23,873 | $21,318 | 82.0% |
|  | [Augsburg University](/school/augsburg-university/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Minneapolis, [admits 82% of applicants](/school/augsburg-university/admissions/) and posts an average net price of $23,873. |
| 51 | Shawnee State University · Portsmouth, OH | $44,143 | $14,381 | $12,310 | Not reported |
|  | Shawnee State University ranks 51st on this list and carries a median federal debt of $25,058 among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed. |
| 52 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville · Edwardsville, IL | $43,928 | $14,889 | $8,483 | 97.5% |
|  | [Southern Illinois University Edwardsville](/school/southern-illinois-university-edwardsville/majors/) shows an [average net price of $8,483](/school/southern-illinois-university-edwardsville/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, alongside an admission rate of 98%. |
| 53 | Kent State University at Kent · Kent, OH | $43,835 | $20,787 | $15,280 | 86.3% |
|  | [Kent State University at Kent](/school/kent-state-university-at-kent/majors/) reports [median earnings of $43,835](/school/kent-state-university-at-kent/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, with 47 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 54 | University of St Francis · Joliet, IL | $43,798 | $13,006 | $8,547 | 65.3% |
|  | [University of St Francis](/school/university-of-st-francis/majors/) [ranks 331st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-st-francis/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts an average net price of $13,006. |
| 55 | Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College · Saint Mary Of The Woods, IN | $43,577 | $31,872 | $33,513 | 72.4% |
|  | Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College carries a median federal debt of $23,013 among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed, and its admission rate is 72%. |
| 56 | Ashland University · Ashland, OH | $43,052 | $21,988 | $16,489 | 76.4% |
|  | [Ashland University](/school/ashland-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $43,052](/school/ashland-university/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, with 27 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 57 | Spring Arbor University · Spring Arbor, MI | $42,461 | $19,353 | $14,530 | 51.5% |
|  | Spring Arbor University shows an average net price of $14,530 for families earning under $30,000, and its admission rate is 52%. |
| 58 | Southwest Minnesota State University · Marshall, MN | $41,937 | $15,291 | $10,559 | 62.2% |
|  | [Southwest Minnesota State University](/school/southwest-minnesota-state-university/majors/) [ranks 1045th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/southwest-minnesota-state-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $41,937 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 59 | University of Akron Main Campus · Akron, OH | $41,782 | $13,946 | $10,413 | 59.7% |
|  | [University of Akron Main Campus](/school/university-of-akron-main-campus/majors/) carries a [median federal debt of $23,063](/school/university-of-akron-main-campus/cost/) among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed, alongside an average net price of $13,946. |
| 60 | Bluffton University · Bluffton, OH | $41,602 | $19,943 | $16,363 | 67.2% |
|  | Bluffton University reports median earnings of $41,602 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, and its school-wide median federal debt for borrowers who completed is $27,000. |
| 61 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · Carbondale, IL | $41,441 | $13,297 | $9,415 | 86.9% |
|  | [Southern Illinois University-Carbondale](/school/southern-illinois-university-carbondale/majors/) reports [median earnings of $41,441](/school/southern-illinois-university-carbondale/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $13,297. |
| 62 | Southeast Missouri State University · Cape Girardeau, MO | $41,163 | $15,882 | $12,704 | 73.5% |
|  | [Southeast Missouri State University](/school/southeast-missouri-state-university/majors/) [admits 74% of applicants](/school/southeast-missouri-state-university/admissions/) and its Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed left with median federal debt of $23,876. |
| 63 | Missouri State University-Springfield · Springfield, MO | $40,846 | $17,613 | $13,718 | 90.5% |
|  | [Missouri State University-Springfield](/school/missouri-state-university-springfield/majors/) ranks 63rd on this list and posts an [average net price of $13,718](/school/missouri-state-university-springfield/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 64 | Hope College · Holland, MI | $40,768 | $27,182 | $17,606 | 79.2% |
|  | A private nonprofit institution in Holland, [Hope College](/school/hope-college/majors/) shows [median earnings of $40,768](/school/hope-college/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 65 | Bradley University · Peoria, IL | $40,402 | $22,719 | $17,269 | 76.8% |
|  | [Bradley University](/school/bradley-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $22,719](/school/bradley-university/cost/) and sits at 587th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 66 | University of Nebraska at Kearney · Kearney, NE | $39,729 | $16,242 | $13,066 | 89.5% |
|  | [University of Nebraska at Kearney](/school/university-of-nebraska-at-kearney/majors/) posts [median earnings of $39,729](/school/university-of-nebraska-at-kearney/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, with an admission rate of 89%. |
| 67 | University of Central Missouri · Warrensburg, MO | $39,569 | $14,462 | $10,965 | 63.8% |
|  | An [average net price of $10,965](/school/university-of-central-missouri/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median federal debt of $24,500 among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed at [University of Central Missouri](/school/university-of-central-missouri/majors/). |
| 68 | Youngstown State University · Youngstown, OH | $39,497 | $12,767 | $9,328 | 84.5% |
|  | [Youngstown State University](/school/youngstown-state-university/majors/) sits at 515th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an [average net price of $9,328](/school/youngstown-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 69 | Minot State University · Minot, ND | $39,369 | $12,703 | $9,492 | 64.6% |
|  | Minot State University shows median earnings of $39,369 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $12,703. |
| 70 | Augustana University · Sioux Falls, SD | $39,009 | $23,894 | $18,746 | 67.8% |
|  | A private nonprofit institution in Sioux Falls, Augustana University admits 68% of applicants and reports median earnings of $39,009 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 71 | Calvin University · Grand Rapids, MI | $39,009 | $22,992 | $19,281 | 70.9% |
|  | [Calvin University](/school/calvin-university/majors/) ranks 71st on this list and posts an [average net price of $19,281](/school/calvin-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 72 | Carthage College · Kenosha, WI | $38,153 | $26,565 | $23,293 | 87.1% |
|  | [Carthage College](/school/carthage-college/majors/) reports an [average net price of $26,565](/school/carthage-college/cost/) and sits at 1158th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 73 | Northern Michigan University · Marquette, MI | $37,856 | $14,085 | $7,697 | 84.0% |
|  | [Northern Michigan University](/school/northern-michigan-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $37,856](/school/northern-michigan-university/outcomes/) for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, with 9 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 74 | Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN | $37,568 | $10,873 | $6,455 | 80.8% |
|  | [Indiana State University](/school/indiana-state-university/majors/) [admits 81% of applicants](/school/indiana-state-university/admissions/) and posts an average net price of $10,873. |
| 75 | Huntington University · Huntington, IN | $37,363 | $19,310 | $10,796 | 75.6% |
|  | [Huntington University](/school/huntington-university/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Huntington, [ranks 1053rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/huntington-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 76 | Missouri Baptist University · Saint Louis, MO | $36,929 | $27,006 | $21,808 | 68.6% |
|  | Missouri Baptist University shows median federal debt of $23,750 among Special Education and Teaching completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $36,929 four years after completing. |
| 77 | Ohio Dominican University · Columbus, OH | $36,131 | $20,079 | $16,997 | 94.2% |
|  | Ohio Dominican University has an average net price of $16,997 for families earning under $30,000 and an admission rate of 94%. |
| 78 | Walsh University · North Canton, OH | $34,633 | $20,493 | $20,458 | 70.7% |
|  | Walsh University ranks 78th on this list, with median earnings of $34,633 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 79 | Mount Vernon Nazarene University · Mount Vernon, OH | $33,993 | $22,421 | $22,358 | 84.2% |
|  | Mount Vernon Nazarene University reports an average net price of $22,421 and an admission rate of 84%. |
| 80 | University of Mount Union · Alliance, OH | $33,281 | $23,280 | $16,786 | 78.2% |
|  | [University of Mount Union](/school/university-of-mount-union/majors/) [ranks 1155th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-mount-union/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows median earnings of $33,281 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing. |
| 81 | Muskingum University · New Concord, OH | $33,281 | $19,532 | $14,684 | 81.8% |
|  | Muskingum University admits 82% of applicants and reports an average net price of $14,684 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 82 | Malone University · Canton, OH | $32,035 | $20,948 | $13,290 | 75.9% |
|  | Malone University ranks 82nd on this list, with median earnings of $32,035 for its Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing and 6 graduates in the earnings cohort. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Special Education and Teaching graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the Midwest appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 22 of the 82 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 82 schools with a published figure. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads University of Minnesota-Twin Cities by $2,010, and the spread from the top of the list to the bottom is $28,650.

## Related rankings

-   [Special Education and Teaching Programs Ranked by Earnings](/rankings/best-special-education-and-teaching-programs/)
-   [Best Colleges in the Midwest](/rankings/best-colleges-in-the-midwest/)
-   [Special Education and Teaching Programs in the Northeast](/rankings/best-special-education-and-teaching-programs-in-the-northeast/)
-   [Best Special Education and Teaching Programs in the South](/rankings/best-special-education-and-teaching-programs-in-the-south/)
-   [Best Special Education and Teaching Programs in the West](/rankings/best-special-education-and-teaching-programs-in-the-west/)
-   [Best Education Colleges in the Midwest](/rankings/best-education-colleges-in-the-midwest/)
-   [Best Education Colleges for Social Mobility in the Midwest](/rankings/best-education-colleges-for-social-mobility-in-the-midwest/)