Psychology at Benedictine University

Benedictine's psychology program demonstrates something relatively uncommon in this field: meaningful income growth over the first four years post-graduation. While the starting salary of $32,314 isn't remarkable, graduates see a 41% increase to $45,546 by year four—suggesting they're successfully transitioning beyond entry-level positions. The $27,000 debt load is actually below the national average for psychology programs, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio that improves considerably as incomes rise.

Within Illinois, this program performs solidly, ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's 52 psychology programs. That means graduates earn more than most of their Illinois peers, despite a first-year salary that looks modest on paper. The admission rate of 77% and substantial Pell grant enrollment (39%) indicate Benedictine serves a broad student population, yet still produces earnings outcomes that exceed typical psychology program results.

The key question is whether your student has the patience and career strategy for that four-year growth trajectory to materialize. Unlike fields with clearer paths to six-figure salaries, psychology bachelor's degrees typically require intentionality about graduate school or specific career pivots. If your child views the bachelor's as a stepping stone rather than a terminal degree, the combination of reasonable debt and demonstrated earning progression makes this a defensible choice—particularly compared to pricier private alternatives that don't show better outcomes.