Looking for the best Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in Illinois? You should consider these top-tier undergraduate programs and jobs in the psychology field.
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When searching for the best degrees in Illinois for psychology, you should consider institutions that offer a variety of top-tier programs. After earning a bachelor's degree, graduates can pursue diverse career paths. The skills required for a bachelor's degree can help graduates move forward in their field.
The unemployment rate for those who graduate from a bachelor's program is 3.5%, while the unemployment rate for those who hold a high school diploma is 6.2%.
Psychology Bachelor's Programs for You
Working and Living in Illinois in the Psychology Profession
A psychology degree can be useful in many different careers. The most common job for someone with a psychology degree is working as a counselor or therapist. Other common jobs include working as a case worker, research assistant, or human resources manager. Psychology programs cover many different courses. These courses can include topics such as human development, abnormal psychology, and research methods. Students will also typically take courses in statistics and data analysis.
The average annual salary in Illinois is $46,630, or $22.42 per hour. This applies to the 5,618,830 workers in the state. The BLS reports that the lowest 10% of earners make about $24,470, whereas the highest 10% of earners bring in about $103,490. The following displays the earnings for psychologists in Illinois.
Key
Psychologists in Illinois
Psychologists Nationally
All Occupations in Illinois
All Occupations Nationally
Salaries for Psychologists 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. The cost of living index measures the average cost of living in specific states against the cost of living nationwide. Specific locations are either above (more expensive) or below (less expensive) average. The cost of living index for Illinois is 91.4, which is -8.6% lower than the national average. The following is a comparison of the cost of groceries, housing, utilities, and other items in Illinois compared to the national average.
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In the coming decade, the total employment for psychologists is projected to change by 2%. There is a projected change from 55,200 psychologists in 2020 to 56,300 in 2030, according to the BLS. These positions require a bachelor's degree in order to qualify for them.
Psychologists
Developmental Psychologist
Experimental Psychologist
Forensic Psychologist
Neuropsychologist
Psychometrist
Psychotherapist
Rehabilitation Psychologist
Social Psychologist
Sports Psychologist
Bachelor's Degrees in Psychology in Illinois
#1 Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology in Illinois
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
4 years
Online + Campus
Learners looking for flexible study in dual modalities can choose from one of Aurora University's 48 bachelor's degree programs. The online BA in psychology connects students with industry-relevant knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the psychology field. Graduates can apply their knowledge and skill set to graduate-level studies in psychology.
The college provides comprehensive support for new students, including financial aid advising. Eligible students can benefit from financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
Aurora University at a Glance:
Type of School: Private, nonprofit, four-year
Admission Rate: 87%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 19-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $24,800
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $24,800
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $39,200
Average Tuition
In-state
$25,600
Out-of-state
$25,600
Retention Rate
78%
Admission Rate
84%
Students Enrolled
6,265
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
93%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#2 Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology in Illinois
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL
4 years
Online + Campus
Located in Charleston, Eastern Illinois University supports both in-person and remote study opportunities across 67 bachelor's degree programs. The school's bachelor's in psychology introduces students to foundational skills and knowledge while also building general skills such as communication and critical thinking. Graduates can enter the workforce or pursue further education, such as a master's degree.
Career services and academic advising are just two of the numerous institutional resources centering student success. Eligible students can benefit from financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships, fellowships, and grants. The college reports that enrollees are awarded $9,713 in financial aid, on average.
Eastern Illinois University at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, four-year
Admission Rate: 53%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $8,875
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $11,045
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $35,500
Average Tuition
In-state
$9,036
Out-of-state
$11,231
Retention Rate
74%
Admission Rate
56%
Students Enrolled
8,626
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
63%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology in Illinois
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
4 years
Campus
A leader in hybrid education, Illinois State University supports in-person and online study across 77 bachelor's degree programs. The online bachelor's in psychology connects students with industry-relevant knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the psychology field. Students can apply their knowledge to graduate-level studies in psychology.
The college connects students with institutional resources throughout their studies. Enrollees also gain access to financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships and fellowships, depending on their eligibility. The average financial aid award available through the school is $9,665.
Illinois State University at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, four-year
Admission Rate: 82%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 19-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $10,547
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $18,138
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $41,600
Average Tuition
In-state
$10,741
Out-of-state
$19,904
Retention Rate
84%
Admission Rate
81%
Students Enrolled
20,720
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
96%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#4 Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology in Illinois
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
4 years
Campus
Lake Forest College, located in Illinois, provides 36 bachelor's degree programs in dual modalities. Of these online programs, the bachelor's in psychology stands out as a wise option for learners seeking flexible, industry-relevant study. Students can apply their learnings to a psychology-specific career or towards a graduate degree.
Students can receive guidance throughout their program, through career services, academic advising, and other resources. Students can meet with the financial aid office to explore funding opportunities and determine their eligibility.
Lake Forest College at a Glance:
Type of School: Private, nonprofit, four-year
Admission Rate: 55%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 12-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $47,680
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $47,680
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $41,100
Average Tuition
In-state
$48,920
Out-of-state
$48,920
Retention Rate
84%
Admission Rate
58%
Students Enrolled
1,583
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology in Illinois
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
4 years
Online + Campus
Students looking for flexible study in dual modalities can choose from Loyola University Chicago's 100 bachelor's degree 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. The psychology program prepares students for the demands of a psychology field or for graduate studies.
Students can access career services, academic advising, and other success-geared resources while enrolled in the program. Students seeking to defray the costs of their degree can meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss funding opportunities and determine their eligibility.
Loyola University Chicago at a Glance:
Type of School: Private, nonprofit, four-year
Admission Rate: 67%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $44,105
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $44,105
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $45,200
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
Financing a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
You can find a variety of financial aid programs to help pay for college. Financial aid helps students lower the cost of college. As well as federal and private student loans, some students may be eligible for scholarships. You should research the colleges you are interested in and find out what kinds of financial aid they offer.
Checklist for Maximizing Your Financial Aid:
The FAFSA allows degree-seekers to use federal student aid.
Students should contact the school's financial aid department to pursue scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loans.
Average Cost of Attending College in Illinois
There is a large variation in the cost of education in Illinois depending on which college you attend. The public and private sectors do, however, share some commonalities. Use the following information to help you decide whether attending a public institution is the right choice for you.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Illinois vs. National Average
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Illinois
National Average
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Have you ever considered attending a college or university that is private? Generally speaking, private schools charge a higher tuition rate. Check out the following graph to learn more 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
Are you considering applying for student loans to fund your education? You should keep a few things in mind before taking out a loan.
You must ensure that you can make all the payments on time to repay the loan.
It is important to think about whether earning a degree from a particular school is going to help you in your career goals.
You should ensure that you understand the type of repayment schedule that will apply to your loan after you graduate.
Use the following data to learn what students tend to borrow on a regular basis.
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 an online program and a program completed in person are the cost and class size. The advantages of online programs include flexibility, affordability, and convenience. Students who wish to receive on-campus degrees typically pay more. However, the benefits of attending classes on a regular basis are numerous.
There are several differences that exist between attending a private and a public college. To begin with, the cost of a public school will differ from that of a private school. The cost of education at a public college can be offset by research grants and scholarships. Students at private schools can often obtain merit scholarships based on their academic performance.
In private colleges, students can interact more closely with faculty. Here are some pros and cons of attending a private vs. a public institution.
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
For psychologists, what is the salary?
In Illinois, psychologists make a mean annual salary of $99,740 per year.
In general, are psychology graduates in high demand?
The total number of psychologists is projected to change by 2% from 2020 to 2030.
Can I earn a bachelor's in psychology online?
A bachelor's degree in psychology is a great way to prepare for the workforce. Most schools in today's environment offer some form of online education.
In order to successfully complete a bachelor's degree, how long does it take?
The average completion of a bachelor's degree is four years for full-time students. For part-time students, the completion time will vary, and the process will take longer.
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