Unlock Your Psychology Career Potential: Compare the Best Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois for 2025
$16,618
Avg. Net Price
71%
Avg. Admitted
26%
Avg. Enrolled
57%
Avg. Graduation Rate
13/1
Avg. Student / Faculty
Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois
Find and compare the best psychology degree programs by state.
Number of Schools
In Illinois, there are 53 4-year schools that offer psychology degrees
Number of Programs
With 53 schools offering psychology programs, the total number of programs offered in Illinois is 263
Number of Graduates
The 263 psychology programs in Illinois produced 9,432 psychology graduates in 2021

Illinois Psychology Degrees Programs
Top (10) Psychology Programs in Illinois
University of Chicago
2021 Psychology Graduates: 401
Average Cost to Attend: $81,141
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $3,832
Average Net Price: $33,727
Average Admitted: 6%
Average Enrolled: 83%
Average Graduation Rate: 96%
Student / Faculty: 5 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 55%
Illinois Ranking: #1
National Ranking: #7
Northwestern University
2021 Psychology Graduates: 700
Average Cost to Attend: $83,346
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $4,906
Average Net Price: $29,999
Average Admitted: 7%
Average Enrolled: 63%
Average Graduation Rate: 95%
Student / Faculty: 6 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 60%
Illinois Ranking: #2
National Ranking: #13
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2021 Psychology Graduates: 796
Average Cost to Attend: $30,640
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $21,735
Average Net Price: $14,272
Average Admitted: 60%
Average Enrolled: 29%
Average Graduation Rate: 85%
Student / Faculty: 21 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 72%
Illinois Ranking: #3
National Ranking: #85
St. Augustine College
2021 Psychology Graduates: 53
Average Cost to Attend: $23,020
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $633
Average Net Price: $15,337
Average Admitted: %
Average Enrolled: %
Average Graduation Rate: 100%
Student / Faculty: 9 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 13%
Illinois Ranking: #4
National Ranking: #128
Wheaton College
2021 Psychology Graduates: 225
Average Cost to Attend: $54,450
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $1,971
Average Net Price: $28,319
Average Admitted: 86%
Average Enrolled: 32%
Average Graduation Rate: 88%
Student / Faculty: 11 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 65%
Illinois Ranking: #5
National Ranking: #114
Trinity Christian College
2021 Psychology Graduates: 80
Average Cost to Attend: $47,100
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $873
Average Net Price: $14,700
Average Admitted: 76%
Average Enrolled: 23%
Average Graduation Rate: 67%
Student / Faculty: 9 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 50%
Illinois Ranking: #6
National Ranking: #269
University of Illinois Chicago
2021 Psychology Graduates: 747
Average Cost to Attend: $29,303
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $14,512
Average Net Price: $10,725
Average Admitted: 79%
Average Enrolled: 23%
Average Graduation Rate: 62%
Student / Faculty: 19 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 62%
Illinois Ranking: #7
National Ranking: #352
Judson University
2021 Psychology Graduates: 60
Average Cost to Attend: $43,550
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $820
Average Net Price: $18,266
Average Admitted: 62%
Average Enrolled: 31%
Average Graduation Rate: 67%
Student / Faculty: 11 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 25%
Illinois Ranking: #8
National Ranking: #248
Augustana College
2021 Psychology Graduates: 46
Average Cost to Attend: $60,069
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $2,367
Average Net Price: $24,472
Average Admitted: 69%
Average Enrolled: 14%
Average Graduation Rate: 79%
Student / Faculty: 11 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 75%
Illinois Ranking: #9
National Ranking: #291
Bradley University
2021 Psychology Graduates: 132
Average Cost to Attend: $51,008
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $4,418
Average Net Price: $25,312
Average Admitted: 76%
Average Enrolled: 14%
Average Graduation Rate: 76%
Student / Faculty: 12 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 54%
Illinois Ranking: #10
National Ranking: #418
Psychology Programs Offered in Illinois
There are 263 undergraduate psychology programs offered by 53 different 4-year colleges, comprising 12 public and 41 private schools.
Additionally, psychology programs in Illinois produced 4,972 bachelor’s graduates, 3,873 master’s graduates and 419 doctorate graduates.
The table below details the programs offered and the total number of graduates in Illinois.
Psychology Graduates | BS | MA | PMC | PhD |
Applied Psychology | 37 | – | – | – |
Biopsychology | 32 | – | – | – |
Clinical Psychology | – | 121 | – | 85 |
Cognitive Psychology | 15 | – | – | – |
Community Psychology | – | 36 | – | 7 |
Counseling and Applied Psychology | 85 | 909 | 45 | 143 |
Counseling Psychology | 24 | 559 | – | 8 |
Developmental Psychology | – | – | – | 1 |
Educational Psychology | – | 28 | – | 7 |
Experimental Psychology | 53 | 26 | – | 12 |
Forensic Psychology | 16 | – | – | – |
General Psychology | 3,223 | 160 | – | 63 |
Industrial Organizational Psychology | 3 | 68 | – | 3 |
Marriage and Family Therapy | – | 43 | – | – |
Medical Psychology | 5 | – | – | – |
Mental Health Counseling | – | 131 | 1 | – |
Psychometrics Psychology | – | 7 | – | – |
Research Psychology | 659 | 62 | – | 28 |
School Psychology | – | 48 | 43 | 33 |
Social Psychology | – | 3 | – | 2 |
Social Work | 820 | 1,672 | 58 | 27 |
Total Graduates | 4,972 | 3,873 | 147 | 419 |
Credits Accepted for Illinois Schools
The types of academic credits available to Illinois students are varied and include:
- Dual enrollment
- Credit for life experiences
- Advanced placement (AP) credits
Psychology Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation in Illinois
On average, Illinois schools admitted 71% of students who applied to 4-year institutions. Of those who were offered admission, 26% enrolled.
The average freshman retention rate for Illinois schools is 72%, compared to 71% for all universities nationwide.
The overall graduation rate for 4-year colleges and universities in Illinois is 57%, compared to 56% for all universities nationwide.
The top three schools in Illinois for highest graduation rate are St. Augustine College (100%), University of Chicago (96%), and Northwestern University (95%).
The top three schools with the highest number of psychology graduates in Illinois are Loyola University Chicago (877), Aurora University (805), and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (796).
Region | Illinois | U.S. |
Applied | 7,762 | 8,766 |
Admitted | 71% | 73% |
Enrolled | 26% | 26% |
1st Year Return | 72% | 71% |
Graduation | 57% | 56% |
Student & Faculty Information in Illinois
In the fall of 2021, Illinois schools that offered psychology programs had an average of 59% full-time instructional or research faculty members and 38% part-time instructional faculty members.
The average student-to-faculty ratio for Illinois schools offering psychology programs is 13:1.
The table below shows a comparison of the percentage of full-time instructional and research faculty members and the student-to-faculty ratio between Illinois and the United States as a whole:
Region | Illinois | U.S. |
Full-Time Instructional | 52% | 56% |
Full-Time Research | 6% | 6% |
Part-Time Instructional | 38% | 35% |
Student Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 15:1 |
Tuition and Student Expenses in Illinois
If you’re an undergraduate psychology student in Illinois, the average tuition you’ll pay depends on the institution you choose. Typically, tuition costs range from $7,488 to $60,276 per year, with an average of $26,032. In addition to tuition, you’ll also need to budget for books and supplies, which can cost between $150 and $2,400 annually, with an average of $1,225.
The three most affordable undergraduate psychology schools in Illinois are Governors State University ($22,241), Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville ($22,367), and Eastern Illinois University ($22,447). Meanwhile, the three most expensive institutions are the Northwestern University ($83,346), University of Chicago ($81,141), and Illinois Institute of Technology ($69,145).
As for prospective graduate psychology students, the average cost of tuition and fees for graduate programs varies widely based on the school and program chosen. Graduate tuition costs between $5,850 and $62,640 per year, with an average of $16,928. However, most graduate programs also require additional fees, such as application fees, technology fees, and library fees, which can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In-state graduate fees typically range from $100 to $4,894, with an average of $1,359.
The three most affordable graduate psychology schools in Illinois are Governors State University ($8,320), Lincoln Christian University ($8,812), and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville ($9,316). Meanwhile, the three most expensive graduate programs are University of Chicago ($63,936), Northwestern University ($56,567), and Augustana College ($33,150).
If you’re curious about how Illinois schools stack up against national averages, you can compare average total expenses in the table below. Note that these figures don’t take into account financial aid, grants, loans, or scholarships. If you’re interested in that information, you can find it in the sections below.
Average Expenses for Psychology Schools | Illinois | U.S. |
On Campus Room & Board | $12,007 | $11,729 |
On-Campus Living Expenses | $3,444 | $3,474 |
Total Living Expenses | $15,451 | $15,203 |
Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $26,032 | $21,301 |
Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $1,225 | $1,254 |
Total Undergraduate Expenses | $42,708 | $37,758 |
In-State, Graduate Tuition | $16,928 | $14,479 |
In-State, Graduate Fees | $1,359 | $1,155 |
Total Graduate Expenses | $18,287 | $15,634 |
Cost to Attend, Financial Aid, Net Price in Illinois
Average Net Price
In Illinois, the cost to attend a college or university that offers psychology programs is a significant financial investment. The key term to know for college affordability is the net price.
The average net price for a college or university in Illinois that offers psychology programs is $16,618. This figure is calculated based on the most recent data provided by each institution to the US Department of Education.
Net price is determined by adding up the costs of tuition, room and board, living expenses, books, and supplies and then subtracting the average financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, and loans, received by federal financial aid recipients.
Financial | Illinois | U.S. |
Cost to Attend | $42,708 | $37,758 |
Average Financial Aid | $15,853 | $13,984 |
Percent Receiving Aid | 89% | 90% |
Net Price | $16,618 | $17,524 |
Net Price by Family Income
Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend Illinois universities shown by family income bracket.
Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Average Net Price by Income | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
$0 – $30,000 | $6,920 | $6,590 |
$30,001 – $48,000 | $7,574 | $7,462 |
$48,001 – $75,000 | $10,270 | $10,069 |
$75,001 – $110,000 | $13,457 | $13,368 |
$110,001 and more | $14,690 | $15,794 |
Additional Top Ranked Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois
Find information on each school’s ranking, number of graduates, net price, and graduation rate along with a link the school’s full 2025 report.
Psychology Salary Reports for Illinois
We use annual surveys of 100,000 psychologists to compile data on salary, employment projections, cost-of-living adjustments, comparisons to related professions, salary based on years of experience, and rankings by city.
- Industrial Organizational Psychologists
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Psychology Teachers
- Forensic Psychologists
- School Psychologists
- Health Care Social Workers
- Social Workers
- Substance Abuse Counselors
- Marriage and Family Therapists
in addition to school websites, our Career, Salary and Program Source Data Comes from