Psychology at Illinois College

Jacksonville, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
28
Optimistic
28
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,386/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #714 of 926 Psychology, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Psychology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $526K $523K $485K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.5x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 28 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$149,880
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,780
52% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,853
59% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,386 track close to the $31,705 national median for Psychology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 3.5x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$31,386 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #714 out of 926 programs, Illinois College's financial outcomes for Psychology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $31,386 to $49,853 over five years (59% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Illinois College

Illinois College has a 75% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 925 students in Jacksonville, IL. The average net cost of $71,780 over four years represents a 52% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Illinois College →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Industrial-organizational psychologists $109,840/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Psychology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Illinois College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Illinois College's Psychology program score?
This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Psychology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Psychology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Psychology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Psychology at Illinois College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $149,880, but the average net cost is $71,780 — a 52% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →