2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Illinois
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 49 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Springfield, our #1 best value for general psychology in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $31,978 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $30,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Governors State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $29,449. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,194 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $59,994. That is a strong return on a $24,194 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #5 place for general psychology. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $29,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College Illinois came in at #6 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,801. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #7 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $16,157. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $35,637. That is a strong return on a $16,157 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University earned the #8 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $25,740 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $31,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $35,740. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,000. General Psychology graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $42,261 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Dominican University landed the #11 spot for general psychology value this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,832 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $30,846 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,832 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Chicago State University placed #12 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,754 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $39,075 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,967. Set against $39,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,681. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $70,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $32,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $37,170. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $35,798. Set against $37,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Trinity Christian College landed the #16 spot for general psychology value this year. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Students from in state pay about $20,605 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $32,609. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Saint Augustine College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Augustine College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,688. Students borrow a median of $5,050 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Saint Augustine College generally make around $42,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Chicago placed #18 among the best values for general psychology. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,647. General Psychology graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $27,304 early in their careers. Set against $25,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,676. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Illinois College generally make around $31,386. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois College admits about 78% of applicants.
Illinois State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $43,942. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Aurora University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,250. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,484. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Monmouth College earned the #22 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Monmouth, Monmouth College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,922. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $36,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,104. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
North Park University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $33,630. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Elmhurst College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $32,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value General Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general psychology:
More General Psychology Rankings
View All General Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
