2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in Illinois
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for psychology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Psychology Schools
For return on investment in psychology, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $30,565. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Dominican University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. 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. Set against $23,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $48,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Saint Xavier University, which ranked #4. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,740 in student loans. 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. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $55,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Governors State University landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $52,434. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
National Louis University came in at #7 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. Psychology graduates carry a median of $37,170 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $57,569. Set against $37,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Northern Illinois University placed #8 among the best values for psychology. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,194. Early-career psychology graduates make about $59,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Trinity International University Illinois placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Deerfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,320. Students borrow a median of $24,562 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of $39,980 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,562 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $13,496 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $35,976 early in their careers. Set against $13,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,050 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $33,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #12 for value in psychology this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #13 for value in psychology this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $16,157 to complete the psychology program here. 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.
Western Illinois University landed the #14 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $30,471. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Chicago State University placed #15 among the best values for psychology. 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. That is a strong return on a $39,075 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #16 position for value in 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. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $42,261. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis came in at #17 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,681 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $70,918 early in their careers. Set against $25,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University came in at #19 for value in psychology this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $55,879. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #20 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $74,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth College landed the #21 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the town of Monmouth, Monmouth College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,922. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,675. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Monmouth College admits about 91% of applicants.
Illinois College landed the #22 spot for psychology value this year. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $38,676. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Aurora University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,484. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago landed the #24 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,647. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,331. That is a strong return on a $25,647 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Illinois State University placed #25 among the best values for psychology. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $43,942 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in psychology:
View All Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
