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Cheapest Special Education and Teaching Colleges in Michigan

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

University of Michigan-Dearborn offers the most affordable path to Special Education certification at just $10,904 net cost, while private institutions like Spring Arbor University reach $20,899. This $10,000 cost gap reflects Michigan's strong public university system supporting teacher preparation across the state. Michigan schools desperately need Special Education teachers, with districts from Detroit to Grand Rapids offering signing bonuses and loan forgiveness programs. The Michigan Achievement Scholarship provides up to $5,500 additional support for in-state students, making public programs even more accessible. Earnings for graduates range from $36,668 to $40,768, with Central Michigan University graduates earning $39,841 annually. The state's growing healthcare sector and emphasis on inclusive education create steady demand for Special Education professionals. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with 11 of the top 15 programs offered by state institutions. Graduation rates vary significantly, from University of Olivet's 37% to Michigan State's impressive 82.2%.
20
Programs
$10,904 – $26,409
Net Price Range
$38,437
Avg. Program Earnings
60.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

20 Special Education and Teaching Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,904 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
2 $14,368 $14,266 56.9% 76.9%
3 $14,582 $12,240 53.8% 76.4%
4 $14,773 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
5 $16,041 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
6 $16,179 $32,300 68.1% 90.5%
7 $17,084 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
8 $17,096 $14,628 68.6% 90.4%
9 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
10 $17,485 $13,304 50.8% 70.6%
11 $18,701 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
12 $18,902 $38,520 62.5% 90.8%
13 $20,751 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
14 $20,899 $32,580 59.9% 47.3%
15 $21,158 $33,076 37.0% 84.6%
16 $22,384 $29,100 61.6% 81.8%
17 $24,663 $47,430 63.7% 64.7%
18 $24,783 $38,670 77.4% 74.2%
19 $25,749 $40,420 82.3% 80.5%
20 $26,409 $34,200 50.0% 70.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Michigan-Dearborn the cheapest option for Special Education?

UM-Dearborn's net cost of $10,904 makes it the most affordable program in the state, nearly $4,000 less than Lake Superior State University's $14,368. The campus maintains a 56.6% graduation rate with a 54.1% acceptance rate. As part of the University of Michigan system, students receive high-quality teacher preparation while paying significantly less than other options.

How do graduation rates compare between affordable and expensive programs?

Michigan State University leads with an 82.2% graduation rate despite charging $20,751 net cost. Among cheaper options, Lake Superior State achieves 56.9% graduation rate at $14,368. The University of Olivet shows the lowest graduation rate at 37% while charging $21,158, demonstrating that higher cost doesn't guarantee better outcomes.

Is there a significant earnings difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Special Education graduates earn between $36,668 and $40,768 regardless of program cost. Saginaw Valley State graduates earn $36,668 with only $14,582 in net costs, while Central Michigan graduates earn $39,841 at $16,041 net cost. The $4,173 earnings difference suggests that program cost has minimal impact on starting salaries.

Does the Michigan Achievement Scholarship significantly reduce costs?

The scholarship provides up to $5,500 annually for in-state students, representing substantial savings on programs already priced between $10,904 and $26,409. For UM-Dearborn students, this scholarship could reduce net costs to approximately $5,404. Combined with federal aid, Michigan residents can access quality Special Education programs at very low out-of-pocket costs.

Where do most affordable Special Education programs cluster geographically?

Public universities across Michigan offer the most affordable options, from Sault Ste Marie in the Upper Peninsula to Detroit in the southeast. The top 11 affordable programs are all public institutions with net costs under $18,701. Private colleges like University of Detroit Mercy and Aquinas College cost more but maintain competitive pricing compared to national averages.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.