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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Psychology Schools in Illinois

36 Colleges in the United States
6,073 Psychology Degrees Awarded
$44,669 Avg Early-Career Salary

Psychology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for psychology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Psychology in Illinois

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

Top Schools in Psychology

1

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in psychology. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Northwestern University awarded about 526 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $43,591. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $13,065 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at Northwestern University

2

University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 111 psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $35,101. Students borrow a median of $13,496 to complete this degree. Read more about the psychology program at University Of Chicago

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the top schools for psychology. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 508 psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $30,565 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Read more about the psychology program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

4

Students looking for a strong psychology program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 209 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their 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. See the full psychology program report for Illinois State University

5

A rank of #5 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the top schools for psychology. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 347 psychology degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $67,230 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full psychology program report for Loyola University Chicago

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #6 spot for psychology this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 645 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $33,384 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,050 in student loans. Get the full psychology details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

7
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #7 among the best psychology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 256 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, 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 psychology program report for Depaul University

8

Midwestern University Downers Grove earned the #8 position for psychology this year. Located in the city of Downers Grove, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 14 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern University Downers Grove in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Midwestern University Downers Grove earn a median of $77,332 early in their careers. See the full psychology program report for Midwestern University Downers Grove

9

Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #9 among the best psychology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Illinois Institute Of Technology earn around $74,025 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in psychology from Illinois Institute Of Technology

10
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College came in at #10 for psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Elmhurst College awarded about 108 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Elmhurst College earn around $71,867 in the first couple years of their career. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at Elmhurst College

11

Northern Illinois University came in at #11 for psychology this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 252 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the 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 psychology from Northern Illinois University

12

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #12 for psychology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 129 psychology degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $56,065 early in their careers. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Get the full psychology details for Wheaton College Illinois

13
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University earned the #13 position for psychology this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 48 psychology degrees were awarded at Dominican University in the most recent year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Dominican University earn around $30,846 in the first couple years of their career. Dominican University graduates carry a median of $23,832 in student loans. More information about a degree in psychology from Dominican University

14
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. Aurora University awarded about 89 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $31,484 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in psychology from Aurora University

15

University Of St Francis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Joliet. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 20 psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Francis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $70,918. Students borrow a median of $25,681 to complete this degree. Get the full psychology details for University Of St Francis

16

Eastern Illinois University placed #16 among the best psychology schools. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. There were roughly 117 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $55,561 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Get the full psychology details for Eastern Illinois University

17

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #17 for psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 22% of students finish within six years. About 79 psychology degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $35,637 early in their careers. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $16,157 in student loans. Get the full psychology details for Northeastern Illinois University

18
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best 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 psychology students who graduated with this degree at North Central College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $27,688. North Central College graduates carry a median of $26,655 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at North Central College

19

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #19 position for psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 181 psychology degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $42,261 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full psychology details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

20

Bradley University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bradley University awarded about 46 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $30,159. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at Bradley University

21

Augustana College Illinois placed #21 among the best psychology schools. 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. About 46 psychology degrees were awarded at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $29,801 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full psychology details for Augustana College Illinois

22

Illinois Wesleyan University placed #22 among the best psychology schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 psychology degrees were awarded at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Illinois Wesleyan University generally make around $34,650. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at Illinois Wesleyan University

23

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #23 among the best psychology schools. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 100 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. 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. More information about a degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale

24
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College earned the #24 position for psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Lake Forest College awarded about 37 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $41,168. Typical student debt for the program is $26,840. More information about a degree in psychology from Lake Forest College

25

Benedictine University came in at #25 for psychology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lisle. Benedictine University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $52,093 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full psychology program report for Benedictine University

Rest of the Top 47 Psychology Schools

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

26
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
27
28
29
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Governors State University
University Park, IL
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL
41
42
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
43
Monmouth College crest
Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL
44
45
Trinity Christian College crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL
46
Eureka College crest
Eureka College
Eureka, IL
47

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 55 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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