2023 Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region
Finding the Best Special Education School for You
Special Education is the #29 most popular major in the country with 36,792 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 80 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones offered the best programs for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Special Education Colleges.
Top 15% Best Special Education Schools
Our 2023 rankings named Dakota State University the best school in the Plains States Region for special education students. Located in the town of Madison, Dakota State is a public school with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that special ed majors at Dakota State take out is $31,000.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota State Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato.
The average amount in student loans that special ed majors at Minnesota State Mankato take out is $27,000.
Full Special Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato Report
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Winona State University is a great place for special education students. Winona State is a medium-sized public school located in the distant town of Winona.
On average, special ed graduates from Winona State take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
Full Special Education at Winona State University Report
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the remote town of Aberdeen, NSU is a public college with a small student population.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Minot State University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. MSU is a small public school located in the town of Minot.
Full Special Education at Minot State University Report
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Augustana University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for special education students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Full Special Education at Augustana University Report
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With a ranking of #7, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on this year’s best schools for special education students. Located in the city of Saint Paul, UST MN is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.
Full Special Education at University of St Thomas Minnesota Report
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With a ranking of #8, Northwestern College did quite well on this year’s best schools for special education students. Located in the distant town of Orange City, NWC is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Full Special Education at Northwestern College Report
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Hamline University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best special education programs. Located in the large city of Saint Paul, Hamline is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
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Midland University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best special education programs. Midland U is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fremont.
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University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the large city of Lincoln, UNL is a public college with a very large student population.
After completing their degree, special ed graduates from UNL carry an average student debtload of $25,625. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $337, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Special Education at University of Nebraska - Lincoln
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Martin Luther College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for special education students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the distant town of New Ulm, MLC is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Full Special Education at Martin Luther College Report
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Here are some additional great schools for Special Education students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Best Special Education Schools in the Plains States Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Chadron State College | Chadron, NE |
| 14 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN |
| 15 | Hastings College | Hastings, NE |
| 16 | University of Mary | Bismarck, ND |
Best Special Education Colleges by State
Explore the best special education schools for a specific state in the Plains States region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Missouri | 539 |
| Minnesota | 846 |
| Kansas | 444 |
| Iowa | 180 |
| Nebraska | 362 |
| North Dakota | 186 |
| South Dakota | 94 |
More Special Education Rankings in the Plains States Region
Special Education Related Rankings by Major
One of 14 majors within the area of study, special education has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education Grade Specific | 110,226 |
| Educational Administration | 46,469 |
| Teacher Education Subject Specific | 43,297 |
| General Education | 29,810 |
| Curriculum & Instruction | 19,832 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to woodleywonderworks.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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