Psychology at Chicago State University

Chicago State's psychology program produces starting salaries nearly $10,000 below Illinois' strongest programs, with graduates earning just under $30,000 in their first year—roughly $2,300 less than the state median. That gap matters when paired with $39,075 in debt, which is 53% higher than what psychology graduates typically carry from Illinois schools. Among the state's 52 psychology programs, this one sits at the 40th percentile for earnings, meaning more than half of alternatives deliver better salary outcomes.

The financial squeeze is real: graduates owe 1.3 times their first-year salary, compared to the national median debt load of $25,500. While earnings do grow to nearly $36,000 by year four, that's still well below what peers earn at schools like Northwestern ($44,088) or even National Louis ($35,798) right out of the gate. For a field where many students pursue graduate degrees to increase earning potential, starting with substantial undergraduate debt creates a challenging foundation.

Chicago State serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population, which explains part of the debt picture. However, parents should recognize that multiple Illinois psychology programs combine better earnings outcomes with more manageable debt levels. Unless location or specific institutional factors make Chicago State uniquely suitable, exploring alternatives—particularly those ranking above the state's 60th percentile—would likely improve your child's post-graduation financial position.