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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Psychology Schools in Illinois

38 Colleges in the United States
3,020 General Psychology Degrees Awarded
$35,252 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Psychology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general psychology programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 49 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general psychology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Psychology in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general psychology education in Illinois.

Top Schools in General Psychology

1

No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year for general psychology. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 111 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Northwestern University earn around $44,088 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general psychology from Northwestern University

2

Students looking for a strong general psychology program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #2. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 188 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $43,942 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general psychology details for Illinois State University

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 353 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $30,565 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general psychology from University Of Illinois At Chicago

4

Loyola University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 232 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $32,463 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full general psychology program report for Loyola University Chicago

5

Students looking for a strong general psychology program will find one at Wheaton College Illinois, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 35 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $31,658 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the general psychology program at Wheaton College Illinois

6
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #6 spot for general psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. Depaul University awarded about 187 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $33,820. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general psychology program at Depaul University

7
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 83 general psychology degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $32,553. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Get the full general psychology details for Elmhurst College

8

Northern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 245 general psychology degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $59,994 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,194. More information about a degree in general psychology from Northern Illinois University

9
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University landed the #9 spot for general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dominican University awarded about 48 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Dominican University earn around $30,846 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,832 to complete this degree. See the full general psychology program report for Dominican University

10
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #10 position for general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 89 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $31,484. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in general psychology from Aurora University

11

Eastern Illinois University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 95 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $35,740 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. See the full general psychology program report for Eastern Illinois University

12

University Of St Francis ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Francis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $70,918 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,681. Read more about the general psychology program at University Of St Francis

13

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 79 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $35,637. Typical student debt for the program is $16,157. Read more about the general psychology program at Northeastern Illinois University

14
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College placed #14 among the best general psychology schools. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 66 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at North Central College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from North Central College earn around $27,688 in the first couple years of their career. North Central College graduates carry a median of $26,655 in student loans. See the full general psychology program report for North Central College

15

Bradley University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Peoria. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $30,159 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full general psychology program report for Bradley University

16

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #16 for general psychology this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 171 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $42,261 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full general psychology details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

17

Augustana College Illinois earned the #17 position for general psychology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rock Island. Augustana College Illinois graduates 73% of students within six years. Augustana College Illinois awarded about 46 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $29,801 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full general psychology details for Augustana College Illinois

18

Illinois Wesleyan University placed #18 among the best general psychology schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bloomington. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of $34,650 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full general psychology program report for Illinois Wesleyan University

19

Benedictine University came in at #19 for general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 42 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine University in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $32,314 early in their careers. Benedictine University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general psychology program at Benedictine University

20

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #20 position for general psychology this year. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 100 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $32,287 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. See the full general psychology program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

21

University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #21 position for general psychology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Springfield. About 52% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Springfield awarded about 77 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from University Of Illinois At Springfield earn around $31,978 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. See the full general psychology program report for University Of Illinois At Springfield

22
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University earned the #22 position for general psychology this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. About 67% of students finish within six years. Lewis University awarded about 54 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $31,104. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full general psychology program report for Lewis University

23

Judson University earned the #23 position for general psychology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Elgin. About 60% of students finish within six years. Judson University awarded about 17 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Judson University generally make around $34,964. Judson University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full general psychology program report for Judson University

24

National Louis University earned the #24 position for general psychology this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. There were roughly 112 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at National Louis University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from National Louis University earn around $35,798 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $37,170. Get the full general psychology details for National Louis University

25
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University earned the #25 position for general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 21% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 82 general psychology degrees were awarded at Governors State University in the most recent year. General Psychology graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $29,449 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete this degree. Get the full general psychology details for Governors State University

Rest of the Top 39 General Psychology Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general psychology ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL
31
32
33
Monmouth College crest
Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL
34
35
36
Trinity Christian College crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL
37
Eureka College crest
Eureka College
Eureka, IL
38
39

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 49 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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