2027 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general psychology schools.
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2027 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among general psychology schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,565. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Springfield one of the best values for general psychology. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $31,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #3 makes Dominican University one of the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,832 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,740. General Psychology graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $31,094 early in their careers. Set against $25,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Illinois University one of the best values for general psychology. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $35,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Governors State University ranked #6 on our 2027 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. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,375. 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Trinity International University Illinois placed #7 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois generally make around $39,980. That is a strong return on a $24,562 median debt. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,194. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $59,994. That is a strong return on a $24,194 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
National Louis University placed #9 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $37,170 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $35,798. That is a strong return on a $37,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #10 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $32,287. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #11 among the best values for general psychology. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,157 in student loans. 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.
Western Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $30,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #13 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general 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%.
Chicago State University landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,754 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Students borrow a median of $39,075 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,967. That is a strong return on a $39,075 median debt. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Lewis University earned the #15 position for value in general psychology this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $31,104. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of St Francis placed #16 among the best values for general psychology. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,681. Early-career general 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.
North Park University ranked #17 on our 2027 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. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of North Park University earn a median of $33,630 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Monmouth College earned the #18 position for value in general 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Monmouth College earn a median of $36,675 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Illinois College placed #19 among the best values for general psychology. 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. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois College admits about 78% of applicants.
Aurora University came in at #20 for value in general psychology this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,484. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University earned the #21 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $22,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $43,942. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Judson University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,297. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Judson University generally make around $34,964. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Judson University admits about 48% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago landed the #23 spot for general psychology value this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,647. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $27,304. Set against $25,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Christian College placed #24 among the best values for general psychology. 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. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $32,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Greenville College placed #25 among the best values for general psychology. Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,200. Students borrow a median of $25,933 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $36,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value General Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general psychology value ranking:
More General Psychology Rankings
View All General Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
