Illinois · Special Education and Teaching

Best Special Education and Teaching institutions in Illinois, ranked by earnings

The Special Education and Teaching program prepares students to work with individuals who have a range of disabilities and special needs. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of students…

Institutions
34
offering CIP 13.10
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,084
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$45,831
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
10
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,794
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
52%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Special Education Teachers, Preschool
$63,870
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign
Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree
$51,9225085%$18,925
2Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$48,8401658%$15,126$35,611
3Illinois State University
Normal Public · Bachelor's degree
$48,35826365%$20,436
4Western Illinois University
Macomb Public · Bachelor's degree
$46,7291645%$25,986
5Northern Illinois University
Dekalb Public · Bachelor's degree
$46,57811249%$21,452
6Lewis University
Romeoville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$45,8316967%$17,632$25,000
7University of St Francis
Joliet Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$45,3231067%$15,591$23,500
8Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,4292262%$22,875
9Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,2051857%$19,850
10Eastern Illinois University
Charleston Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,9553347%$26,046

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Special Education Teachers, Preschool (SOC 25-2051).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+1.4%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~2,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$62,190
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

SpeakingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingMonitoringWriting

What Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
1,030
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$63,870
median $60,420
Best-paying metro
$63,170
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Related careers

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
$82,390 avg · 8,890 jobs
Special Education Teachers, Middle School
$73,040 avg · 4,390 jobs
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
$66,660 avg · 4,250 jobs
Special Education Teachers, All Other
$66,160 avg · 2,330 jobs
Interpreters and Translators
$57,940 avg · 1,860 jobs
Special Education Teachers, Preschool
$63,870 avg · 1,030 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Special Education and Teaching programs in Illinois.

Which Special Education and Teaching program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign tops the list at $51,922. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Illinois is $63,870 (median $60,420), across about 1,030 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Special Education and Teaching program?+

The Special Education and Teaching program prepares students to work with individuals who have a range of disabilities and special needs. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of students…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Special Education Teachers, Preschool?+

The national job outlook is about +1.4% growth with around 2,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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