Best Online and Campus Psychology Schools in Illinois

This guide to psychology schools in Illinois will provide you with crucial information about the undergraduate and graduate programs in the state so that you can make an informed decision about which program best meets your needs.

Table of Contents

• Illinois Psychology School Facts
• Top-Ranked Psychology Programs
• Bachelor’s in Psychology Program Comparison
• Graduate Psychology Program Comparison
• Related Articles
• Student Reviews

Illinois Psychology School Facts

• There are 56 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in Florida.¹
• No schools offer an associate degree in psychology.¹
• 53 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.¹
• 23 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.¹
• 8 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best General Psychology Schools 2024.²
• 1 school ranked in Psychology Degree 411’s Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs.³
• 2 schools ranked in The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024.⁴
• 4 schools ranked in Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2023.⁵
• 20 schools ranked in Psychology Degree 411’s Top Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs.
• 10 schools ranked in Most Affordable Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology.¹

Nationally Ranked Top Psychology Programs in Illinois

Our curated list of third-party and proprietary rankings can be useful in measuring the overall value and reputation of a program. Lists include College Factual, Psychology Degree 411, The Princeton Review, and Times Higher Education. Note if one of these lists is not present below, no schools in the state were named on it. Generally, schools and programs ranked on multiple lists tend to be stronger in academic quality.

Schools Ranked on Multiple Lists

• DePaul University
• Loyola University Chicago
• Northwestern University
• University of Illinois Chicago

College Factual’s Best Psychology Schools 2024

• Northwestern University (#5)
• University of Illinois at Chicago (#39)
• Loyola University Chicago (#45)
• Illinois Institute of Technology (#109)
• DePaul University (#131)
• Illinois State University (#142)
• Wheaton College Illinois (#148)
• Northern Illinois University (#171)²

Psychology Degree 411’s Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs

• University of Illinois-Springfield (#26)³

The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024

• DePaul University
• Loyola University of Chicago⁴

Times Higher Education Best Universities for Psychology 2019

• The University of Chicago (#12)
• Northwestern University (#18)
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (#34)
• University of Illinois Chicago (#201-250)⁵

Top 20 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs in Illinois

These are the top 20 bachelor’s in psychology programs from not-for-profit schools in Illinois based on a graduation rate above 55% and an annual net price below $27,000. A high graduation rate is a top indicator of student success, and affordability is a key consideration for prospective undergrad students. Each school’s net price and graduation rate are included below.

1. Lincoln Christian University ($7,706 / Grad rate: 63%)
2. University of Illinois Chicago ($10,384 / Grad rate: 62%)
3. Millikin University ($10,492 / Grad rate: 58%)
4. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($14,544 / Grad rate: 85%)
5. Illinois College ($16,296 / Grad rate: 67%)
6. Dominican University ($18,162 / Grad rate: 59%)
7. University of St Francis ($18,560 / Grad rate: 65%)
8. Trinity Christian College ($18,822 / Grad rate: 69%)
9. Lewis University ($19,184 / Grad rate: 62%)
10. Aurora University ($19,350 / Grad rate: 60%)
11. Olivet Nazarene University ($20,059 / Grad rate: 67%)
12. Monmouth College ($20,237 / Grad rate: 57%)
13. Illinois State University ($20,551 / Grad rate: 67%)
14. Greenville University ($20,718 / Grad rate: 58%)
15. Northwestern University ($22,095 / Grad rate: 97%)
16. Bradley University ($24,053 / Grad rate: 76%)
17. Elmhurst University ($24,108 / Grad rate: 64%)
18. Augustana College ($24,660 / Grad rate: 78%)
19. North Central College ($25,285 / Grad rate: 63%)
20. Knox College ($26,882 / Grad rate: 75%)¹

Most Affordable Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology

The following Illinois schools with bachelor’s degrees in psychology have the lowest average net prices. We have included each school’s graduation rate, a key quality metric.

• Chicago State University ($6,446 / Grad rate: 28%)
• Lincoln Christian University ($7,706 / Grad rate: 63%)
• Governors State University ($9,833 / Grad rate: 21%)
• St. Augustine College ($10,288 / Grad rate: 23%)
• University of Illinois Chicago ($10,384 / Grad rate: 62%)
• Millikin University ($10,492 / Grad rate: 58%)
• Western Illinois University ($11,213 / Grad rate: 47%)
• Saint Xavier University ($11,302 / Grad rate: 53%)
• University of Illinois Springfield ($11,733 / Grad rate 53%)
• Quincy University ($11,985 / Grad rate: 50%)¹

Comparison of All Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs in Illinois

This table compares all of the bachelor’s in psychology programs from not-for-profit schools in Illinois. The schools can be compared on factors like acceptance rate, graduation rate, median debt, and price. Programs in bold text offer hybrid or online options.

*See Table Notes at bottom of page.

Comparison of All Graduate Psychology Programs in Illinois

This table compares all of Illinois’ graduate-level psychology programs from not-for-profit schools on multiple factors.

We’ve included accreditation status by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). We also highlight the levels offered, 2020-2022 pass rates for the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), and tuition information. Note EPPP scores are reported by degree type (clinical, counseling, or school psychology) and level (PhD or PsyD), so some schools may be listed more than once to include all pass rates. Schools in bold text offer hybrid or online options. Tuition per credit hour is more relevant for master’s and PsyD programs due to the fact that PhD students typically receive more program-awarded funding.

Related Articles

• Degree Levels Overview: Associate to PhD
• Illinois Licensure Guide
• Top Online Bachelor’s Programs Ranking
• Psychology Careers by Degree Level

Illinois Schools With Psychology Degree Programs

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Adler University
17 N Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 662-4000
https://www.adler.edu/

Student Review: “The Adler School of Professional Psychology was a decent experience for me. I made a lot of friends and I felt comfortable with all of the students and staff whenever I had questions or issues. However, the school was very disorganized, and it sometimes felt like we weren’t being adequately prepared for life outside of school. We weren’t told about how hard it would be to finally get a job. We were also told to ask for a starting salary of $50,000, but most jobs we see have very low pay, and if you ask for even $35,000, usually employers cannot accommodate your request. Now, even after graduation, I have personally had a hard time figuring out how to fill out all the paperwork for my licensed professional counselor license. I also think the cost to attend Adler is way too much for the experience you receive.” – Student at Adler University

Benedictine University
5700 College Rd
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 829-6000
https://ben.edu/

Student Review: “My experience attending Benedictine University was great because I felt as though it fit my needs, such as small class sizes to make me feel comfortable. The psychology and other social science courses I took were challenging but the content that I learned outweighs any of the essays and long hours spent studying. My favorite part of the psychology program was my senior year when it was mandatory to enroll in an internship program or take another lecture class. I chose the internship program in which I applied for an internship at a psychology office in the area. The experience was very in-depth because I was a part of the therapy process with clients, acting as a “ghost” in the room. After the session, the therapist and I had a discussion regarding the techniques that were used and how the individual could improve in future sessions. Although my experience was overall great, I do dislike the fact that some classes I was interested in were very difficult to register due to certain prerequisites. Additionally, I would have preferred more experience-related tasks in some classes rather than just lectures.” – Student at Governors State University

Governors State University
1 University Pkwy
University Park, IL 60484
(708) 534-5000
https://www.govst.edu/

Student Review: “Governors State’s psychology curriculum a pretty good program. I transferred here from Moraine Valley and will soon complete my undergrad in psychology here. The classes are great and the teachers are mostly good. For the most part, they make the material interesting and provide the feedback I need. Most of the classes are in the evening, which might be annoying to some people, but it’s been great for me. My real problem isn’t actually with the school, but with the offices. Most of them, from the loan offices to the academic advisers, seem to do really poor work and take a long time to do it. Other than that, Governors State was pretty good.” – Student at Governors State University

Kennedy-King College
6301 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60621
(773) 602-5000
https://www.ccc.edu/kennedy/home/

Student Review: “The psychology program and Kennedy King is insightful and attentive. Not only are my professors well informed and educated, they also posses the ability to connect case-studies to real life situations. Most of my professors are professionals with experience. Through their connections, I have been getting recommendations for a paid internship with my desired employer. I was and am overwhelmed to the extent these teachers will go for their students. This has truly been a valuable experience.” – Student at Kennedy-King College

Lincoln Christian University
100 Campus View Dr
Lincoln, IL 62656
(217) 732-3168
https://lincolnchristian.edu/

Student Review: “The psychology program at Lincoln Christian University taught me to apply the principles of psychology through the lens of a Christian worldview. The program has a strong grounding in biblical principles and classes focusing on theology and ministry are an essential part of the program, as they are in every field of study at Lincoln Christian University. The field-specific (psychology) classes are what you would get at pretty much any university, but what made them different is the small student to teacher ratio and the experience and openness of the faculty. In fact, in some classes, the class was invited to the professor’s house for a meal as part of the class. Many of the more focused classes are taught by adjunct faculty too, which some might view as a disadvantage, but in reality, I gained a great deal of practical knowledge as a result and it also provided a great source for networking after graduation and in finding a place for my internship. Also, the faculty were always willing to help and made themselves very available outside of classroom hours. My main disappointment with the program was that there was not a great variety of psychology electives in my course of study. Overall, I think the program prepared me well for graduate school as well as for the workplace. I would not recommend it for someone who is not a Christian simply because there is a great deal of ministry and theological focus, but for someone looking for a Christian perspective and a practical knowledge of psychology it is a great choice.” – Student at Lincoln Christian University

Loyola University Chicago
1032 W Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 274-3000
https://www.luc.edu/

Student Review: “The psychology program at Loyola University has been very influential in my decision to attend grad school. I came to Loyola not sure what to do, but the program has a diverse course selection and I was able to try out different aspects of the psychology field to figure out what I really enjoyed doing. My faculty advisor has been very supportive, and the psychology professors I have are published and have accommodating office hours to make sure I get the attention and assistance needed.” – Student at Loyola University Chicago

MacMurray College
447 E College Ave
Jacksonville, IL 62650
(217) 479-7056
https://www.mac.edu/

Student Review: “The benefit of the psychology program at MacMurray College was that it was small, less than 10 in some classes, which led to a high degree of teacher and student interaction. Generally, this was positive, but it could also be a hindrance if the professor was lacking in his or her teaching ability. The largest problem with the program was continuity. In three years, six professors rotated through the two professor positions. Some due to death and other due to incompetence. However, once professor employment stabilized the program grew because it was led by people who cared about their work. The class setup was generally open-discussion, which could be beneficial provided the other students in the program were interested in the subject material. Overall, the quality of the program was directly related to what the student put into it. I would recommend the school and psychology program to others because it was small and personal. Additionally, I believe it provided a more than adequate education to its students for entering both the job market and attending graduate degree programs.” – Student at MacMurray College

North Central College
30 N Brainard St
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 637-5100
https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/

Student Review: “The psychology program at North Central College was great. The core courses were all helpful courses, and then there were also many interesting psychology electives. North Central College also honored my AP psychology testing credit so that I didn’t have to take the introductory psychology course. The professors and teaching staff were all great. There were a few teachers I didn’t like, but they were general education course teachers. My favorite classes were abnormal psychology and social psychology. All of the courses were good preparation for psychological writing in APA format, as well as developing analytical and critical thinking skills. I also felt like I could ask any of the professors for help if I needed it, as all were very genuinely good teachers that enjoyed what they did and sought student success. This was a great program!” – Student at North Central College

Northwestern University
633 Clark St
Evanston, IL 60208
(847) 491-3741
https://www.northwestern.edu/

Student Review: “The psychology program at Northwestern University is a good mix of courses with professors that teach both the practical and medical aspects of psychology that one can use in a variety of careers. I often had the pleasure to hear guest speakers from the professional psychology community in Chicago come in and tell us about their career and experiences. The coursework is certainly challenging, but the professors and TA’s are all willing to meet before, during, or after class to help anyone out. Whether you are going on to graduate school, or want to go straight into the business/marketing community, Northwestern gives you a solid foundation and has an amazing “career connection” program that can help you get your foot in the door at a great company.” – Student at Northwestern University

*Table Notes:
-Millikin University’s in-state price is for in-district students. Students outside of the district pay the price in the out-of-state column.
-N.Av. indicates data is not available.
-Metrics are institution-wide unless otherwise noted.
-Graduation rate is completion percentage within six years of start.
-Median (average) debt is cumulative federal loan debt for undergraduate completers in 2020-2021.
-Median earnings are from the 2020-2021 cohort 10 years post school entry.
-Net price is the average yearly price paid by full-time, first-year undergraduate students receiving financial aid. See NCES for more in-depth information.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual, Best Colleges Offering Degrees in Psychology (Nationwide): https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/rankings/top-ranked/#
3. Psychology Degree 411 Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs: https://www.psychologydegree411.com/degrees/online/
4. The Princeton Review. The Best 388 Colleges, 2023 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2022.
5. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 – Psychology: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/subject-ranking/psychology
6. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
7. American Psychological Association Accredited Programs: https://accreditation.apa.org/accredited-programs
8. Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs, Directory: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
9. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
10. National Association for School Psychologists, Approved Programs: https://apps.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/graduate-program-approval-and-accreditation/approved-accredited.aspx
11. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, 2023 Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.asppb.net/resource/resmgr/eppp_/2023_dr_rpt_012024.pdf