Looking for the best Bachelor's Degree in Counseling in Illinois? You should consider these top-tier undergraduate programs and jobs in the counseling field.
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You can gain valuable skills and knowledge by earning the best degrees in Illinois for counseling. A bachelor's degree is a great way to prepare for the workforce and pursue diverse careers. Bachelor's degree-holders possess the skills needed to move forward in their career.
Bachelor's degree-holders face a 3.5% unemployment rate, compared to the 6.2% rate for those with a high school diploma.
Counseling Bachelor's Programs for You
Working and Living in Illinois in the Counseling Profession
With a degree in counseling, you can learn how counseling has evolved and been shaped by academic disciplines such as psychology, gerontology, and sociology. You can discover the importance of effective communication with clients and staff alike, helping people improve their lives.
The salary in Illinois is $46,630 a year, or $22.42 an hour. All 5,618,830 employees in Illinois are included in this statistic. On average, the lowest 10% of earners in the state receive about $24,470, while the highest 10% earn about $103,490. The following presents the earnings for counselors in Illinois.
Key
Counselors in Illinois
Counselors Nationally
All Occupations in Illinois
All Occupations Nationally
Salaries for Counselors in Illinois and Nationwide
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MERIC ranks Illinois as number 15 out of 51 states (including Washington D.C.) on its cost of living index. A cost of living index measures the national average cost of living against the cost of living in specific states. U.S. averages are based on 100, and all locations are either above (more expensive) or below (less expensive) that average. Illinois' cost of living index is 91.4, which is -8.6% lower than the national average. The cost of living in Illinois varies depending on the location.
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Over the next 10 years, the number of counselors is projected to grow 8.9%. There is a projected change from 54,300 counselors in 2020 to 59,200 in 2030, according to the BLS. This position requires a bachelor's degree.
Counselors
AIDS Counselor
Anger Control Counselor
Grief Counselor
HIV Counselor
Sexual Assault Counselor
Bachelor's Degrees in Counseling in Illinois
#1 Bachelor’s Degrees in Counseling in Illinois
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
4 years
Campus
University of Chicago, a private college, boasts in-person and online study across 53 bachelor's programs. The school's bachelor's in psychology equips students with industry-relevant skills and knowledge through foundational and advanced coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Bachelor's degree-holders can pursue a career or further educational pursuits.
Enrollees can benefit from institutional resources throughout their studies. Eligible students can explore financial aid such as scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
University of Chicago at a Glance:
Type of School: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 6%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 5-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $57,642
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $57,642
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $72,100
Average Tuition
In-state
$57,642
Out-of-state
$57,642
Retention Rate
100%
Admission Rate
7%
Students Enrolled
17,834
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#2 Bachelor’s Degrees in Counseling in Illinois
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL
4 years
Online + Campus
University of St. Francis boasts a robust hybrid learning environment, supporting both in-person and online education modalities across 48 bachelor's programs. The school's bachelor's in psychology prepares students for the demands of the field through rigorous study. The knowledge and skills gained from these studies can benefit graduates in a career or in further educational pursuits.
Degree candidates can access institutional support throughout the duration of the program. Eligible learners can explore financial aid funding.
University of St. Francis at a Glance:
Type of School: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 46%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $34,000
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $34,000
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $47,100
Average Tuition
In-state
$35,000
Out-of-state
$35,000
Retention Rate
81%
Admission Rate
60%
Students Enrolled
3,529
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
89%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 Bachelor’s Degrees in Counseling in Illinois
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL
4 years
Online + Campus
Saint Xavier University boasts a robust hybrid learning environment, supporting both in-person and online education modalities across 52 bachelor's programs. Learners seeking flexible study relevant to the counseling field can benefit from the school's bachelor's in psychology. Graduates can enter the workforce or pursue further education, such as a master's degree.
Enrollees can access career services, academic advising, and other institutional resources. Students can meet with the financial aid office to explore funding opportunities and determine eligibility.
Saint Xavier University at a Glance:
Type of School: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 73%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $33,300
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $33,300
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $41,400
Average Tuition
In-state
$33,630
Out-of-state
$33,630
Retention Rate
78%
Admission Rate
79%
Students Enrolled
3,764
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
71%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#4 Bachelor’s Degrees in Counseling in Illinois
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL
4 years
Online + Campus
Northern Illinois University, a Dekalb-based public college, boasts in-person and online study across 59 bachelor's programs. The school's bachelor's in psychology equips students with industry-relevant skills and knowledge through foundational and advanced coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Graduates can enter the workforce or pursue further education, such as a master's degree.
Enrollees can access career services, academic advising, and other success-geared resources. Students seeking to defray their degree costs can meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss funding opportunities and determine eligibility. The college reports that enrollees receive an average of $10,321 in financial aid.
Northern Illinois University at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 48%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $9,466
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $9,466
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $39,400
Average Tuition
In-state
$9,466
Out-of-state
$9,466
Retention Rate
78%
Admission Rate
59%
Students Enrolled
16,769
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
15%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 Bachelor’s Degrees in Counseling in Illinois
North Park University
Chicago, IL
4 years
Online + Campus
North Park University, a leader in hybrid education, offers 56 bachelor's programs, four of which are available online. For those interested in the counseling field, the school's bachelor's in counseling psychology is a wise choice. The knowledge and skills gained from these studies can benefit graduates in a career or in further educational pursuits.
Students can access career services, academic advising, and other institutional resources. The financial aid office can assist learners in connecting with funding opportunities and determining eligibility.
North Park University at a Glance:
Type of School: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 48%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $30,360
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $30,360
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $40,300
Average Tuition
In-state
$31,430
Out-of-state
$31,430
Retention Rate
75%
Admission Rate
44%
Students Enrolled
2,831
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
87%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Financing a Bachelor's Degree in Counseling
Financial aid can help you pay for college. Financial aid comes in many forms, such as scholarships, grants, fellowships, and work-study programs. Some students qualify for federal student loans, and some students qualify to receive private student loans as part of their program. The colleges you are interested in may be able to provide financial aid to you.
For scholarship, grant, and work-study opportunities, students should contact the university's financial aid department.
Average Cost of Attending College in Illinois
As far as the price of attending college in Illinois is concerned, it varies by institution. There are some commonalities that exist among institutions of all sizes, however. If you are interested in attending a public institution, please review the information below.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Illinois vs. National Average
Key
Illinois
National Average
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Have you ever considered attending a private university? The cost of education at private schools is generally higher. Please refer to the following graph to learn about the private colleges in Illinois.
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Illinois vs. National Average
Key
Illinois
National Average
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Federal Student Loan Information
Would you consider borrowing student loans to fund your education? There are a few things you should consider before taking out a loan.
The first thing you should do is to ensure that you can make all the payments on time.
If you are considering obtaining a degree from a particular institution, it is important to consider whether it will benefit you in your career objectives.
If you're in the workforce, make sure you understand the repayment schedule so you won't face undue hardship.
Please review the data below to learn what students typically borrow.
Undergraduate Federal Loans
Demographic
Percent who borrowed
Amount borrowed
Total
66.6%
$27,400
Female
69.6%
$28,100
Male
62.5%
$26,500
White, not Hispanic or Latino
66.1%
$26,700
Black, not Hispanic or Latino
85.7%
$34,800
Hispanic or Latino/a, of any race
67.7%
$25,700
Asian, not Hispanic or Latino
43%
$22,700
Other or Two or more races,
not Hispanic or Latino
The main differences between online and on-campus programs include the amount of money that you pay and the class size. Online programs are flexible, affordable, and convenient. In the case of on-campus programs, student fees are optional. Students often find many advantages in attending classes.
The differences between public and private colleges are numerous. The cost of education at public and private institutions varies. The cost of education at public universities tends to be offset by grants and scholarships. A private college often offers merit scholarships to those who demonstrate superior academic performance.
The lower student-to-teacher ratio at private colleges allows students to interact with faculty more closely. A comparison of the pros and cons of attending a public versus a private institution is offered below.
Pros and Cons
Private
Unique program offerings
Cultural or religious options
Local prestige
Higher costs
Less regulatory oversight
Public
Government-issued tuition costs
Government funding, benefits, and regulation
Oftentimes large classrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the wage for counselors in Illinois?
Counselors make a mean annual wage of $52,170 in Illinois.
Are graduates with counseling degrees in high demand?
The total number of counselors is projected to change by 8.9% from 2020 to 2030.
Are there any advantages to studying for a bachelor's degree in counseling online?
You can get an online bachelor's degree in counseling. Most schools in today's environment offer at least some online offerings.
What is the timeline of completing a bachelor's degree?
The average completion of a bachelor's degree is four years for full-time students. Part-time students require more time to complete the program.
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