Psychology at St. Augustine College

St. Augustine College's psychology program delivers something rare: top-tier earnings with minimal debt. At $42,911 just one year after graduation, graduates out-earn 95% of psychology programs nationally and rank in the 80th percentile within Illinois—trailing only powerhouses like Northwestern while leaving most state universities behind. The median debt of just $5,050 is extraordinary, giving graduates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.12 that few programs anywhere can match.

This outcome is particularly remarkable given the college's mission: 73% of students receive Pell grants, meaning most come from lower-income backgrounds. These students aren't just matching their peers at wealthier institutions—they're exceeding them. While the typical Illinois psychology graduate earns $32,287 and carries $25,511 in debt, St. Augustine students earn $10,000 more with 80% less debt. That's a fundamentally different financial picture than most psychology programs offer.

The moderate sample size means year-to-year results could shift, but the margin here is substantial enough to be meaningful. For families worried about the classic psychology-degree-low-earnings trap, this program appears to have cracked the code—likely through strong employer connections in Chicago's social services and healthcare sectors. This is one of the better values you'll find for a psychology bachelor's degree anywhere.