2026 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 Springfield earned the #1 spot for value among general psychology schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. General Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $31,978 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. 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, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $30,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #3 place for general psychology. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. 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. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $24,194 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $59,994 early in their careers. Set against $24,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. 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. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois landed the #6 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $29,801 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. 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 general psychology program here. 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%.
Saint Xavier University landed the #8 spot for general psychology value this year. 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. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $31,094. Set against $25,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #9 for value in general psychology this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 for value in general psychology 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. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $42,261 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Dominican University placed #11 among the best values for general psychology. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,832. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $30,846. Set against $23,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Chicago State University came in at #12 for value in general psychology 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, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $39,075. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $29,967. That is a strong return on a $39,075 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of St Francis earned the #13 position for value in general psychology this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,681 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $70,918. Set against $25,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #14 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. 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. The acceptance rate is 87%.
National Louis University placed #15 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $37,170. 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%.
Trinity Christian College placed #16 among the best values for general psychology. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,605. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $32,609 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.
Saint Augustine College came in at #17 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Augustine College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,688. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,050 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Saint Augustine College generally make around $42,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #18 position for value in general psychology this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Students borrow a median of $25,647 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,304. Set against $25,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Illinois State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $43,942. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Aurora University came in at #21 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth College landed the #22 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the town of Monmouth, Monmouth College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,922 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Monmouth College generally make around $36,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Lewis University came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. 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. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. 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. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
North Park University came in at #24 for value in general psychology this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $33,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Elmhurst College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $32,553. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value General Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general psychology:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
