Best Psychology, General Degrees in Illinois by ROI
Colleges in Illinois ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Illinois
38
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$288,584
Across Illinois programs
Average Annual Cost
$45,979
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Millikin University
Grad rate: 58.5% |
+$18,692 | $51,194 | $41,297 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Lake Forest College
Grad rate: 74.1% |
-$105,154 | $52,203 | $68,191 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Grad rate: 84.8% |
-$131,616 | $41,846 | $32,134 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Aurora University
Grad rate: 59.0% |
-$163,095 | $43,261 | $39,232 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Trinity Christian College
Grad rate: 66.1% |
-$185,634 | $43,954 | $47,066 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Dominican University
Grad rate: 60.4% |
-$199,409 | $42,521 | $44,414 | $23,832 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Illinois State University
Grad rate: 66.7% |
-$212,832 | $39,335 | $32,458 | $22,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Elmhurst University
Grad rate: 64.4% |
-$214,186 | $43,209 | $51,829 | $23,000 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Knox College
Grad rate: 71.0% |
-$218,004 | $44,259 | $65,796 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Northwestern University
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$220,131 | $49,533 | $87,804 | $14,500 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
University of Illinois Chicago
Grad rate: 60.9% |
-$235,937 | $36,784 | $26,998 | $17,500 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
University of Illinois Springfield
Grad rate: 57.2% |
-$238,937 | $36,368 | $23,643 | $23,500 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Benedictine University
Grad rate: 52.4% |
-$248,762 | $40,694 | $46,548 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Monmouth College
Grad rate: 58.5% |
-$254,126 | $42,222 | $55,529 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Northeastern Illinois University
Grad rate: 17.7% |
-$264,463 | $35,309 | $27,208 | $16,157 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Psychology, General Degrees by State
Browse Psychology, General programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.