Psychology at Concordia University-Chicago

Concordia-Chicago's psychology program graduates start at $27,304—nearly $5,000 below the state median and in just the 25th percentile among Illinois psychology programs. That's a significant gap in a state where the top quarter of programs launch graduates above $35,000. While earnings nearly double to $40,204 by year four, that trajectory still leaves graduates trailing peers from comparable Illinois schools like Trinity International ($39,980 starting) or National Louis ($35,798).

The $25,647 debt load sits right at national norms, but paired with below-average starting earnings, it creates a challenging first-year ratio of 0.94. Nearly half the student body receives Pell grants, suggesting many families here are counting on strong post-graduation outcomes. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with more data, but the consistent pattern across both state and national comparisons is hard to ignore.

For families considering this program, the question comes down to whether Concordia's other strengths—perhaps campus culture, location, or specific faculty—justify accepting earnings that trail most Illinois alternatives by $5,000-$12,000 annually. If your student is psychology-focused and plans to stay in Illinois, comparing offers from higher-performing state programs makes sense before committing.