Looking for a Doctorate Degree in Counseling in Illinois? You should consider these top-tier PhD programs and jobs in the Counseling field.
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Doctoral Degrees in Counseling in Illinois
Earning a Doctorate in Counseling in Illinois
You can prepare for your career with the best counseling degrees in Illinois. If you have a particular path in mind, you cannot go wrong by taking the right courses. With a doctorate, graduates can prepare for work in diverse fields. Doctoral degree-holders possess the skills required to move forward in their career.
Doctoral graduates earn approximately $1,909 per week, or roughly $7,636 per month and $99,268 per year. For those with a doctorate, unemployment stands at 1.5% versus 6.2% for those with high school diplomas.
Counseling PhD Programs for You
Working and Living in Illinois in the Counseling Profession
A counseling degree is designed for those who wish to counsel patients, families, and individuals on issues related to mental health. The courses cover a broad spectrum of topics, such as psychology, human behavior and development, supervision, ethics, and career counseling.
Illinois' median annual salary is $46,630, or $22.42 hourly. This number includes a total of 5,618,830 employees in Illinois. In a similar vein, the BLS reports that those in the lowest 10% of earners take home around $24,470, while those in the highest 10% of earners make approximately $103,490. This table shows what counselors make on a regular basis.
Key
Counselors in Illinois
Counselors Nationally
All Occupations in Illinois
All Occupations Nationally
Salaries for Counselors in Illinois and Nationwide
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Among 51 states (including Washington, D.C.), Illinois ranks number 13 on the cost of living index. Using the cost of living index, we can compare the cost of living in specific parts of the country against the average cost of living nationwide. According to the U.S. average, 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 following table compares grocery prices, housing costs, utility costs, and more in Illinois to the national average.
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Jobs for counselors are projected to grow 8.9% over the next 10 years. The BLS projects an increase in total employment of 54,300 counselors in 2020 to 59,200 in 2030. The typical education required for these positions is a doctorate.
Counselors
AIDS Counselor
Anger Control Counselor
Grief Counselor
HIV Counselor
Sexual Assault Counselor
Doctoral Degrees in Counseling in Illinois
#1 Doctoral Degrees in Counseling in Illinois
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
4 years
Online + Campus
The Ph.D. in clinical psychology program at Northwestern University offers a doctorate in an online learning format. With flexible enrollment options, the private school helps degree-seekers earn a doctorate. Degree candidates receive research support throughout the program.
Enrollees take advanced doctoral coursework. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates propose a dissertation topic and conduct research in their specialty area. A doctorate prepares graduates for careers in academia, research, and leadership.
Doctoral students qualify for federal financial aid and fellowships at the accredited institution. Contact the program for more information about financial aid and the admission process.
Northwestern University at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 418
Online Master's Programs: 4
Online Doctoral Programs: Data not available
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 6-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $56,067
Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available
Average Tuition
In-state
$58,227
Out-of-state
$58,227
Retention Rate
97%
Admission Rate
9%
Students Enrolled
22,603
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
1%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#2 Doctoral Degrees in Counseling in Illinois
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
4 years
Online + Campus
The online Ph.D. in counseling psychology at Loyola University Chicago ranks among the best in its field. Degree-seekers benefit from the flexible enrollment options at the private university. Doctoral students receive library access, research support, and career services.
After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates complete an original dissertation that contributes to the field. With a doctorate, graduates may work in academia, research positions, and leadership roles.
Doctoral students qualify for several forms of financial aid at the accredited institution. Contact the program to learn about transfer credit policies, research support, and admission requirements.
Loyola University Chicago at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 2,521
Online Master's Programs: Data not available
Online Doctoral Programs: Data not available
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $18,594
Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available
Average Tuition
In-state
$45,500
Out-of-state
$45,500
Retention Rate
85%
Admission Rate
71%
Students Enrolled
16,893
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
96%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 Doctoral Degrees in Counseling in Illinois
Adler University
Chicago, IL
4 years
Online + Campus
Adler University offers a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision in an online learning format. At the private university, degree-seekers engage in online classes to earn a doctorate. Enrollees receive library access, research support, and career services.
After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates conduct research for their dissertation. A doctorate in prepares graduates for careers in academia, research, and leadership.
Students attending the accredited institution online qualify for several forms of financial aid. Contact the program to learn about doctoral admission requirements.
Adler University at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 653
Online Master's Programs: 9
Online Doctoral Programs: Data not available
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: Data not available
Graduate Tuition Rate: $35,888
Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available
Average Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
Not provided
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
1,726
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
31%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#4 Doctoral Degrees in Counseling in Illinois
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
4 years
Campus
Doctoral students seeking an online program benefit from the Ph.D. in psychology program at University of Chicago. Learners can earn this doctorate in a flexible format. Degree-seekers benefit from support services like career advising and research support.
After meeting coursework requirements, doctoral candidates conduct research and defend an original dissertation that contributes to the field. Graduates with a doctorate may work in academic, research, and industry positions.
Online doctoral students can pay for their degree with scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial aid. Contact the program to learn about transfer credit policies, research support, and admission requirements.
University of Chicago at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: Data not available
Online Master's Programs: Data not available
Online Doctoral Programs: Data not available
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 5-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $60,300
Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available
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
Financing a Doctoral Degree in Counseling
College students can get financial aid to help pay for their degree. Many opportunities for financial aid include scholarships, grants, fellowships, and work-study programs. Some students also use federal and private student loans to pay for college. It is a good idea to research the colleges you are interested in and find out what kind of financial aid might exist.
Checklist for Maximizing Your Financial Aid
The FAFSA allows degree-seekers to use federal student aid.
Ask your university's financial aid department for scholarship, grant, work-study, and loan options.
Average Cost of Attending College in Illinois
There is a wide variation in the cost of education in Illinois. However, there are many similarities between public and private institutions. You can determine whether attending a public institution is the right choice for you by reviewing 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 private schools tends to be higher in general. You can learn more about private colleges by reviewing the following graph.
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Illinois vs. National Average
Key
Illinois
National Average
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salary types.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
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Federal Student Loan Information
Would borrowing student loans help you pay for school? Prior to taking out a loan, you should take some factors into consideration.
In order to successfully repay the loan on time, you must ensure that you can make all the payments by the due date.
It is important to consider whether earning a degree from a particular school will help you in your career goals.
Make sure you understand the repayment schedule for your loan so that it does not cause undue hardship on your finances.
Here is some data to assist you in determining 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 cost and size of the class are two main differences between online and on-campus programs. Many benefits can be gained from online programs, including their flexibility, affordability, and convenience. Typically, on-campus programs cost more due to student fees. However, there are several benefits that can be gained from attending classes regularly.
Private colleges and public colleges differ in several ways. In general, public and private schools charge different costs. The government determines the costs for public institutions, and grants and scholarships are funded by the government to cover these costs. For those with high GPAs or SAT scores, private institutions often offer merit scholarships.
There is a tendency for private colleges to feature lower student-to-teacher ratios. Listed below are some pros and cons of attending a private college as opposed to a public one.
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 are the wages for counselors in Illinois?
Counselors make a mean annual wage of $52,170 in Illinois.
In today's environment, are graduates with counseling degrees in demand?
The total number of counselors is projected to change by 8.9% from 2020 to 2030.
Can I earn a doctorate in counseling online?
A doctorate in counseling is a great way to prepare for the workforce. As part of their program, most schools offer at least some online courses.
How much time will you spend earning a doctorate?
Typically, a doctorate takes 4-6 years to complete for a full-time student. The completion time may vary for part-time students.
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