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.

53

Number of Schools

In Illinois, there are 53 4-year schools that offer psychology degrees

263

Number of Programs

With 53 schools offering psychology programs, the total number of programs offered in Illinois is 263

9,432

Number of Graduates

The 263 psychology programs in Illinois produced 9,432 psychology graduates in 2021

Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois

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 GraduatesBSMAPMCPhD
Applied Psychology37
Biopsychology32
Clinical Psychology12185
Cognitive Psychology15
Community Psychology367
Counseling and Applied Psychology8590945143
Counseling Psychology245598
Developmental Psychology1
Educational Psychology287
Experimental Psychology532612
Forensic Psychology16
General Psychology3,22316063
Industrial Organizational Psychology3683
Marriage and Family Therapy43
Medical Psychology5
Mental Health Counseling1311
Psychometrics Psychology7
Research Psychology6596228
School Psychology484333
Social Psychology32
Social Work8201,6725827
Total Graduates4,9723,873147419
US Department of Education

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).

RegionIllinoisU.S.
Applied7,7628,766
Admitted71%73%
Enrolled26%26%
1st Year Return72%71%
Graduation57%56%
US Department of Education

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:

RegionIllinoisU.S.
Full-Time Instructional52%56%
Full-Time Research6%6%
Part-Time Instructional38%35%
Student Faculty Ratio13:115:1
US Department of Education

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 SchoolsIllinoisU.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
US Department of Education

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.

FinancialIllinoisU.S.
Cost to Attend$42,708$37,758
Average Financial Aid$15,853$13,984
Percent Receiving Aid89%90%
Net Price$16,618$17,524
US Department of Education

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 Income2020-20212021-2022
$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
US Department of Education

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.

RankSchool# of GraduatesNet PriceGraduation
#11Loyola University Chicago877$29,37172%
#12University of St Francis61$16,94965%
#13Illinois State University297$21,03367%
#14Western Illinois University129$11,66651%
#15Southern Illinois University-Carbondale231$15,97645%
#16North Park University72$20,26061%
#17Lake Forest College37$25,12673%
#18Lewis University159$18,31260%
#19Northern Illinois University232$13,26551%
#20Elmhurst University143$24,01868%
#21Illinois Institute of Technology54$26,78971%
#22University of Illinois Springfield137$11,96552%
#23Monmouth College24$17,93555%
#24Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville257$15,51952%
#25Eastern Illinois University135$13,66951%
#26Dominican University123$18,47652%
#27Olivet Nazarene University65$20,43164%
#28North Central College68$26,20764%
#29DePaul University270$31,87269%
#30Greenville University22$21,84848%
#31Governors State University241$9,94316%
#32Aurora University805$17,41055%
#33National Louis University504$14,66534%
#34Saint Xavier University70$13,41952%
#35Chicago State University107$4,84621%
#36McKendree University75$25,49252%
#37Benedictine University88$24,74647%
#38Concordia University-Chicago89$18,81743%
#39Northeastern Illinois University280$14,13321%
#40Roosevelt University345$23,96439%
#41Lincoln Christian University43$17,59543%
US Department of Education

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.