2027 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Illinois
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
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2027 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for general psychology in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $30,565. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $31,978. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dominican University earned it the #3 place for general psychology. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,832 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $30,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $25,740 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $31,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $35,740. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Governors State University came in at #6 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,375. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,449. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity International University Illinois landed the #7 spot for general psychology value this year. Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Deerfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,562. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois generally make around $39,980. Set against $24,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Northern Illinois University placed #8 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $24,194 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $59,994. That is a strong return on a $24,194 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
National Louis University earned the #9 position for value in general psychology this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $37,170 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $35,798 early in their careers. Set against $37,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #10 position for value in general psychology this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $32,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. 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, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,157 in student loans. General 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. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Western Illinois University earned the #12 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $30,471. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #13 for value in general psychology this year. 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 general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $42,261. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Chicago State University earned the #14 position for value in general psychology this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. 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. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $29,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Lewis University came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis came in at #16 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Students borrow a median of $25,681 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $70,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
North Park University came in at #17 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Monmouth College landed the #18 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the town of Monmouth, Monmouth College is a small private not-for-profit university. 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. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $36,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois College earned the #19 position for value in general psychology this year. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $38,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. General Psychology graduates of Illinois College earn a median of $31,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Illinois College admits about 78% of applicants.
Aurora University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,250. General Psychology graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $31,484 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Illinois State University placed #21 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $43,942. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Judson University placed #22 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,297. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general psychology program here. 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. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #23 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,647. General Psychology graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $27,304 early in their careers. Set against $25,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Trinity Christian College came in at #24 for value in general psychology this year. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $32,609. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Greenville College landed the #25 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,200 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Greenville College generally make around $36,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value General Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general psychology:
More General Psychology Rankings
View All General Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
