2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for psychology in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, 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.

2

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $48,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

3

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,375. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $52,446. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

4

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,194 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $59,994 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

5

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

A rank of #5 makes Augustana College Illinois one of the best values for psychology. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $29,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

6

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #6 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $30,471. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

7

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,157 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $35,637 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,157 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

8

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,740. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $31,094. Set against $25,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.

9

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $55,561. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #10 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $42,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

11

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University placed #11 among the best values for psychology. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,832 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $30,846. That is a strong return on a $23,832 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $20,050. Early-career psychology graduates make about $33,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

13

Chicago State University
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University earned the #13 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Students borrow a median of $39,075 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

14

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis landed the #14 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,681. Early-career psychology graduates make about $70,918. That is a strong return on a $25,681 median debt. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.

15

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #15 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $32,287 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.

16

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University came in at #16 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Students borrow a median of $37,170 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $57,558 early in their careers. Set against $37,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

17

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,647 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,300. That is a strong return on a $25,647 median debt. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.

18

Saint Augustine College
Chicago, IL

Saint Augustine College came in at #18 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Augustine College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,688. Students borrow a median of $5,050 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Saint Augustine College generally make around $42,911. That is a strong return on a $5,050 median debt.

19

Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $41,907. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.

20

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #20 for value in psychology this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,496 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $35,101. That is a strong return on a $13,496 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

21

Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College landed the #21 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,676 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,386. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

22

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University placed #22 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $43,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

23

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #23 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,104. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

24

North Park University
Chicago, IL

North Park University landed the #24 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Psychology graduates of North Park University earn a median of $55,862 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.

25

Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL

Monmouth College came in at #25 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Monmouth, Monmouth College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,922. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Psychology graduates of Monmouth College earn a median of $36,675 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.