Best Psychology Programs in Illinois (2026)
Psychology is one of the most popular bachelor's majors in Illinois and nationwide. The schools below are ranked by program strength and graduate outcomes — important because Psychology bachelor's degrees pay best when paired with a graduate degree, and a strong undergraduate program matters for graduate school admission.
#1
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$14,860/yr
Median Earnings
$91,885
Grad Rate
95%
Psychology Share
3.8%
#2
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Net Price
$29,167/yr
Median Earnings
$89,363
Grad Rate
96%
Psychology Share
5.5%
#3
The Chicago School at Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$56,899
Grad Rate
—
Psychology Share
100.0%
#4
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
Net Price
$14,355/yr
Median Earnings
$81,054
Grad Rate
85%
Psychology Share
7.0%
#5
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL
Net Price
$28,199/yr
Median Earnings
$70,871
Grad Rate
78%
Psychology Share
9.3%
#6
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$18,425/yr
Median Earnings
$82,592
Grad Rate
74%
Psychology Share
2.4%
#7
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$36,079/yr
Median Earnings
$71,530
Grad Rate
75%
Psychology Share
9.0%
#8
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL
Net Price
$26,975/yr
Median Earnings
$63,756
Grad Rate
86%
Psychology Share
6.8%
#9
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL
Net Price
$22,736/yr
Median Earnings
$62,971
Grad Rate
76%
Psychology Share
9.9%
#10
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
Net Price
$28,673/yr
Median Earnings
$61,825
Grad Rate
74%
Psychology Share
8.9%
#11
Bradley University
Peoria, IL
Net Price
$22,719/yr
Median Earnings
$66,852
Grad Rate
74%
Psychology Share
5.0%
#12
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$30,902/yr
Median Earnings
$68,751
Grad Rate
69%
Psychology Share
5.9%
#13
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL
Net Price
$24,185/yr
Median Earnings
$61,462
Grad Rate
68%
Psychology Share
11.1%
#14
North Central College
Naperville, IL
Net Price
$21,044/yr
Median Earnings
$60,123
Grad Rate
68%
Psychology Share
11.8%
#15
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$10,974/yr
Median Earnings
$68,740
Grad Rate
61%
Psychology Share
9.4%
#16
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
Net Price
$17,028/yr
Median Earnings
$66,099
Grad Rate
65%
Psychology Share
5.7%
#17
University of St Francis
Joliet, IL
Net Price
$13,006/yr
Median Earnings
$63,926
Grad Rate
66%
Psychology Share
5.6%
#18
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
Net Price
$11,745/yr
Median Earnings
$60,327
Grad Rate
59%
Psychology Share
11.7%
#19
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Net Price
$19,398/yr
Median Earnings
$62,117
Grad Rate
65%
Psychology Share
3.9%
#20
University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, IL
Net Price
$9,833/yr
Median Earnings
$57,103
Grad Rate
57%
Psychology Share
12.9%
#21
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
Net Price
$24,595/yr
Median Earnings
$54,820
Grad Rate
68%
Psychology Share
6.7%
#22
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL
Net Price
$19,125/yr
Median Earnings
$55,700
Grad Rate
61%
Psychology Share
9.2%
#23
Judson University
Elgin, IL
Net Price
$18,558/yr
Median Earnings
$56,313
Grad Rate
56%
Psychology Share
12.1%
#24
Benedictine University
Lisle, IL
Net Price
$22,313/yr
Median Earnings
$63,446
Grad Rate
51%
Psychology Share
10.2%
#25
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
Net Price
$18,838/yr
Median Earnings
$58,709
Grad Rate
59%
Psychology Share
7.1%
Why a Psychology degree?
Psychology pairs well with healthcare, HR, education, and law. Strong undergraduate programs feed competitive graduate school placements that drive long-term earnings.
Common career paths: Clinical Psychologist (with grad school) · School Counselor · HR Specialist · Market Researcher · Social Worker
Typical starting salary range: $45,000–$70,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
Take the fit quiz →Other majors in Illinois
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