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Best Value Psychology Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

The University of Chicago stands apart in Illinois psychology education with graduates earning $45,128 annually, nearly $15,000 more than the state average for the major. This earnings premium comes with a high price tag though, as the net cost reaches $18,967 compared to public alternatives like University of Illinois Springfield at just $8,916. Millikin University offers the lowest net cost at $8,837 while maintaining a respectable 59% graduation rate. Illinois psychology graduates benefit from the state's strong healthcare and social services sectors, particularly in the Chicago metropolitan area where major medical systems and mental health organizations provide abundant career opportunities. The wide range of program costs from $8,837 to $19,353 gives students flexibility to match their financial situation with quality education. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with six schools offering net costs under $14,000. Private institutions like Trinity Christian College provide middle-ground alternatives at $16,381 with higher earnings potential at $37,208. The state's MAP Grant program helps bridge affordability gaps for qualifying students across all institutional types.
50
Programs
$8,837 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$29,699
Avg. Program Earnings
58.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Psychology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,837 $30,228 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
2 $8,916 $27,947 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
3 $9,477 $27,126 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
4 $10,133 $27,358 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
5 $11,592 $29,685 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
6 $12,313 $30,731 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
7 $18,967 $45,128 $66,939 94.9% 5.4%
8 $12,909 $30,134 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
9 $16,381 $37,208 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
10 $12,093 $27,295 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
11 $12,437 $27,548 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%
12 $13,550 $29,926 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
13 $15,201 $31,133 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
14 $13,696 $27,390 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
15 $18,370 $35,701 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
16 $19,353 $35,594 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
17 $17,324 $31,305 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
18 $15,113 $26,739 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
19 $18,191 $32,094 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
20 $16,177 $28,084 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
21 $18,034 $29,685 $43,520 60.1% 90.7%
22 $14,093 $22,917 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
23 $17,945 $28,960 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
24 $18,996 $29,685 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
25 $18,992 $28,816 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
26 $20,152 $30,554 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
27 $21,386 $31,848 $12,320 45.7% 91.3%
28 $21,063 $30,771 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
29 $16,774 $23,649 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
30 $27,143 $38,048 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
31 $21,539 $29,685 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
32 $22,048 $29,685 $28,400 40.6% 86.7%
33 $23,572 $30,988 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
34 $23,066 $29,685 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%
35 $23,529 $29,685 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
36 $23,033 $28,055 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
37 $24,190 $27,126 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
38 $29,550 $31,314 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%
39 $29,141 $30,467 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
40 $24,875 $21,052 $55,587 67.5% 73.3%
41 $26,984 $20,140 $43,930 86.6% 88.4%
42 $35,196 $26,187 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%
43 $16,284 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
44 $16,157 $12,345 36.9% 92.1%
45 $17,082 $13,288 27.7%
46 $17,610 $15,400 58.2%
47 $27,499 $54,202 70.4% 59.7%
48 $25,027 $30,910 53.3% 58.2%
49 $11,197 $14,700 73.1% 71.4%
50 $21,270 $30,598 51.4% 94.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $18,000 difference between the highest and lowest graduate earnings?

University of Chicago graduates earn $45,128 compared to $26,739 at Governors State University, reflecting the institutions' different strengths and networks. The University of Chicago's research focus and connections to Chicago's finance and healthcare sectors create premium job opportunities. Regional factors also matter, as Chicago-area programs typically produce higher-earning graduates due to metropolitan salary scales. Graduation rates correlate with earnings, as schools with rates above 60% tend to produce better-compensated alumni.

How do public universities compare to private colleges for psychology value?

Public universities offer the best net price advantage, with University of Illinois Springfield costing $8,916 versus private alternatives starting around $12,000. However, some private schools like Trinity Christian College justify their $16,381 cost with $37,208 graduate earnings. Public institutions typically carry lower debt loads, with UIC graduates averaging $15,934 compared to $26,875 at Trinity Christian. The choice depends on whether higher earnings potential offsets increased costs.

Is the University of Chicago worth its premium pricing for psychology students?

University of Chicago's $18,967 net cost produces the state's highest psychology graduate earnings at $45,128, creating a strong return on investment. The school's 94.9% graduation rate far exceeds state averages and indicates strong student support systems. However, students must consider opportunity costs, as several Illinois programs cost half as much with solid career outcomes. The premium makes sense for students targeting research careers or competitive graduate programs.

Does graduation rate predict job market success in Illinois psychology programs?

Schools with graduation rates above 60% consistently produce graduates earning over $30,000 annually in Illinois. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign combines an 84.9% graduation rate with $31,133 earnings, while Governors State's 19.6% rate corresponds to $27,126 earnings. This pattern suggests institutional support systems directly impact career preparation. However, Chicago State University shows exceptions exist, with modest earnings despite completion challenges.

Where do Illinois psychology graduates find the best job opportunities?

Chicago's healthcare systems, including Northwestern Medicine and Rush University Medical Center, hire extensively from Illinois psychology programs. The city's finance sector also recruits graduates for human resources and organizational psychology roles at companies like CME Group. Graduates earning above $35,000 typically work in metropolitan areas, while those in smaller markets average closer to $27,000. State government positions in Springfield provide stable mid-range opportunities for public service-minded graduates.

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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.