2027 Best Psychology Schools in Illinois
Psychology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for psychology students pursuing a degree.
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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
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in psychology. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Northwestern University awarded about 548 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $43,592 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,065.
See the full psychology program report for Northwestern University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for psychology. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 100 psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from University Of Chicago earn around $35,976 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $13,496 in student loans.
Read more about the psychology program at University Of Chicago
Illinois State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 259 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $43,942 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
See the full psychology program report for Illinois State University
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best psychology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 482 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $30,565. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the psychology program at University Of Illinois At Chicago
Students looking for a strong psychology program will find one at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 379 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $67,263. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full psychology details for Loyola University Chicago
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #6 among the best psychology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 591 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $33,384 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,050 to complete this degree.
Get the full psychology details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #7 among the best psychology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 43 psychology degrees were awarded at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $74,025. Typical student debt for the program is $26,774.
Read more about the psychology program at Illinois Institute Of Technology
Midwestern University Downers Grove placed #8 among the best psychology schools. Set in the city of Downers Grove, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 40 psychology degrees were awarded at Midwestern University Downers Grove in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Midwestern University Downers Grove generally make around $77,332.
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Depaul University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best psychology schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 294 psychology degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $33,820 early in their careers. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full psychology details for Depaul University
Northern Illinois University landed the #10 spot for psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Northern Illinois University awarded about 285 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $59,994. Students borrow a median of $24,194 to complete this degree.
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Aurora University earned the #11 position for psychology this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 99 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $31,484. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
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Elmhurst College came in at #12 for psychology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elmhurst. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 99 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $71,792 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
Read more about the psychology program at Elmhurst College
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 133 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $56,073 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,625.
Read more about the psychology program at Wheaton College Illinois
Dominican University landed the #14 spot for psychology this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Dominican University in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $30,846 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,832 to complete this degree.
See the full psychology program report for Dominican University
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #15 position for psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. About 22% of students finish within six years. About 64 psychology degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $35,637 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,157 to complete this degree.
See the full psychology program report for Northeastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University earned the #16 position for psychology this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 106 psychology degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $55,178 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
More information about a degree in psychology from Eastern Illinois University
Benedictine University earned the #17 position for psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 89 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine University in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $52,143 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in psychology from Benedictine University
Bradley University came in at #18 for psychology this year. 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. There were roughly 49 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $30,159 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Lewis University came in at #19 for psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. Lewis University awarded about 73 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $31,104 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full psychology details for Lewis University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #20 among the best psychology schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 203 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $42,261. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the psychology program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
North Central College came in at #21 for psychology this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 59 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. Students borrow a median of $26,655 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in psychology from North Central College
Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #22 spot for psychology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $34,650 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University
Lake Forest College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best psychology schools. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 48 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Lake Forest College in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Lake Forest College earn a median of $41,168 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,840 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in psychology from Lake Forest College
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best psychology schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 94 psychology degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $32,287 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
See the full psychology program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Augustana College Illinois came in at #25 for psychology this year. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Augustana College Illinois awarded about 45 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $29,801 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the psychology program at Augustana College Illinois
Rest of the Top 48 Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s psychology ranking:
View All Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 48 schools evaluated.
- 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.