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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Psychology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

151 Colleges in the United States
12,374 General Psychology Degrees Awarded
$37,663 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Psychology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general psychology programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 239 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 the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Psychology

1

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in general psychology. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 111 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $44,088 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general psychology details for Northwestern University

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general psychology, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 424 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $31,985 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,215. Read more about the general psychology program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

University Of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general psychology, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 66 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $69,494 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,015 to complete this degree. See the full general psychology program report for University Of Notre Dame

4
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

A rank of #4 makes Marquette University one of the top schools for general psychology. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. About 83% of students finish within six years. Marquette University awarded about 134 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $35,076. Typical student debt for the program is $24,891. More information about a degree in general psychology from Marquette University

5

A rank of #5 makes Illinois State University one of the top schools for general psychology. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 188 general psychology degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Illinois State University earn around $43,942 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Read more about the general psychology program at Illinois State University

6

University Of Dayton ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 103 general psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $32,953. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general psychology details for University Of Dayton

7

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 353 general psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $30,565 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. See the full general psychology program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

8

Loyola University Chicago placed #8 among the best general psychology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 232 general psychology degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $32,463. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general psychology from Loyola University Chicago

9

Miami University Oxford earned the #9 position for general psychology this year. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 277 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $36,190 early in their careers. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. More information about a degree in general psychology from Miami University Oxford

10

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #10 for general psychology this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates 71% of students within six years. About 198 general psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $31,327 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,935 to complete this degree. See the full general psychology program report for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

11

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #11 spot for general psychology this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 136 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $38,259 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. More information about a degree in general psychology from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

12
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #12 among the best general psychology schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 508 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Michigan State University earn around $30,164 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. More information about a degree in general psychology from Michigan State University

13
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College came in at #13 for general psychology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Gambier. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Kenyon College in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of $39,203 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general psychology program at Kenyon College

14

University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #14 position for general psychology this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 13 general psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the general psychology program at University Of Detroit Mercy

15

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #15 position for general psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 45 general psychology degrees were awarded at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent year. General Psychology graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $53,752 early in their careers. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global graduates carry a median of $32,807 in student loans. Read more about the general psychology program at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

16

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. 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. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Get the full general psychology details for Wheaton College Illinois

17

Ball State University placed #17 among the best general psychology schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Ball State University awarded about 169 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $31,305. Typical student debt for the program is $24,612. Read more about the general psychology program at Ball State University

18
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #18 among the best general psychology schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students 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. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full general psychology program report for Depaul University

19
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College placed #19 among the best general psychology schools. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. About 70% of students finish within six years. Elmhurst College awarded about 83 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $32,553. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general psychology program at Elmhurst College

20

Northern Illinois University came in at #20 for general psychology this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 245 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $59,994 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,194. Read more about the general psychology program at Northern Illinois University

21
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University placed #21 among the best general psychology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of River Forest. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 48 general psychology degrees were awarded at Dominican University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $30,846 in their early career. Dominican University graduates carry a median of $23,832 in student loans. See the full general psychology program report for Dominican University

22

University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #22 for general psychology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Menomonie. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 50 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from University Of Wisconsin Stout earn around $32,996 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,190. Get the full general psychology details for University Of Wisconsin Stout

23
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 89 general psychology degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $31,484 in their early career. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the general psychology program at Aurora University

24

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #24 spot for general psychology this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 346 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $35,766 early in their careers. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans. See the full general psychology program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

25

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for general psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 258 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $30,682 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general psychology from Ohio University Main Campus

Rest of the Top 50 General Psychology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general psychology education:

26
27
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
28
29
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
30
31
32
33
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
34
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN
35
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI
36
37
38
Carthage College crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI
39
40
41
42
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI
43
44
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL
45
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH
46
47
University Of Indianapolis crest
University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
48
49
50

Additional General Psychology Award Winners

These schools also stood out for general psychology:

Rank School Location
#53 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
#56 Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL
#61 Bowling Green State University Main Campus Bowling Green, OH
#68 Wayne State University Detroit, MI
#84 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
#88 Kent State University At Kent Kent, OH
#106 Roosevelt University Chicago, IL

Honorable Mentions

A few more general psychology schools worth a look:

Narrow General Psychology Schools by State

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View All General Psychology Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 239 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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