2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 200 schools to find the best return on investment for psychology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among psychology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $17,500. Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $30,565 early in their careers. 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 Macomb Community College one of the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for psychology. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $13,661 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $29,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,661 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Ivy Tech Community College, which ranked #4. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,239 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $26,688 early in their careers. Set against $10,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Kokomo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $23,531 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $32,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Lansing Community College earned the #6 position for value in psychology this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,740 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Set against $11,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $47,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dominican University came in at #8 for value in psychology this year. 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. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,832. Early-career psychology graduates make about $30,846. That is a strong return on a $23,832 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Stark State College came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $42,724. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #10 spot for psychology value this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $48,182. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #11 among the best values for psychology. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,708 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $52,349. That is a strong return on a $18,708 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #12 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,439 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $34,432. That is a strong return on a $22,439 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Purdue University Global placed #13 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $42,489 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $39,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University landed the #14 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,510 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $38,589. Set against $24,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Muskegon Community College landed the #15 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $48,267 early in their careers. Set against $14,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Southeast earned the #16 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $33,438. Set against $21,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Trinity International University Illinois ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,562 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of $39,980 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,125 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $29,503. That is a strong return on a $27,125 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Hamilton landed the #19 spot for psychology value this year. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,094. Psychology graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $36,190 early in their careers. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Xavier University earned the #20 position for value in psychology 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. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $31,094. That is a strong return on a $25,740 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana State University landed the #21 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $35,742. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #22 position for value in psychology this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,977. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #23 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,375 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $29,952 early in their careers. Set against $24,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $55,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #25 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,929 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $27,436 early in their careers. Set against $23,929 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
Narrow Psychology Schools by State
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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 · 200 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 200 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.
