2026 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
Our analysis ranked Lansing Community College the best value for a degree in psychology in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,740 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,740 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #2 place for psychology. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,661 in student loans. 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.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,239 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $26,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #4 place for psychology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. 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 psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $30,565. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. 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 psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. 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 psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $48,117 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Macomb Community College earned the #6 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Psychology graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College landed the #7 spot for psychology value this year. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Students borrow a median of $17,999 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $38,019 early in their careers. Set against $17,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College landed the #8 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Students borrow a median of $17,999 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $38,019 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $34,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Indiana University Kokomo earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,531. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $32,826. Set against $23,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Governors State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $52,446 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,988 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $33,438 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $29,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Stark State College came in at #14 for value in psychology this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $16,000. Psychology graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,709. Psychology graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $18,876. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $16,960. Early-career psychology graduates make about $41,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #19 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 $22,465 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $32,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #20 for value in psychology this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,194 in student loans. 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. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest placed #21 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,929. Psychology graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $27,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,929 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in psychology this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $31,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #23 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,977. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,803. That is a strong return on a $27,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #24 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $20,451 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $33,846. That is a strong return on a $20,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Augustana College Illinois came in at #25 for value in psychology this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $29,801. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in psychology:
Narrow Psychology Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 263 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 151 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.
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
