Most Affordable Online Psychology Degrees in Illinois 2025

A psychology bachelor's degree explains the relationship between the mind and human behavior and prepares learners for healthcare, mental health, human resources, social services, and market research career paths. Students commonly study general psychology; however, many programs let students choose specializations like the following:

• clinical psychology
• social psychology
• school psychology
• child psychology
• forensic psychology
• industrial-organizational psychology

If you're interested in studying psychology but want to save on tuition, affordable online psychology degrees are great options. Schools like the University of Illinois Springfield, Eastern Illinois University, and McKendree University offer flexible online programs in Illinois with low tuition rates. Below, we'll highlight low-cost online colleges in Illinois and answer frequently asked questions about affordable online psychology degrees.

Low-Cost Online Psychology Degree Programs in Illinois

Several colleges in Illinois offer low-cost online psychology degrees. Discover some of the most affordable programs in the state below.

1. University of Illinois Springfield

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in psychology at the University of Illinois Springfield prepares students for graduate school and career opportunities in the psychology field. Coursework explores applied behavioral analysis, research methods, statistics for behavioral sciences, and more. Five concentrations are available; however, the individualized concentration is recommended for online learners.

Students earning an online bachelor's degree from UIS pay E-tuition, a special rate for in-state and out-of-state enrollees taking only online courses. Non-guaranteed undergraduate tuition costs $312.25 to $362 per hour, while guaranteed undergraduate tuition costs $362 to $367.50.

2. Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University's online BA in psychology is a degree completion program helping students build critical thinking and communication skills while preparing for psychology careers and graduate study. Applicants with an associate degree (or some college) and introductory psychology and college algebra courses are the best candidates for this psychology program.

Online students pay $338.35 per credit hour to complete this degree. Eligible transfer students could save up to $2,500 per year via the state university's Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship.

3. McKendree University

McKendree University's 100% online BA in psychology is a flexible degree option offered at $420 per credit hour. Students with an associate degree from an Illinois or Kentucky community college can receive a 10% community tuition discount. Additional discounts are available for military-affiliated enrollees.

Students typically take two classes per eight-week session via a course management system called Brightspace. Psychology courses cover behavioral analysis, clinical social work, health psychology, social psychology, and military psychology.

4. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville offers a 100% online psychology major for students interested in earning a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. The program features accelerated eight-week sessions and explores social interactions, human development, psychopathology, and psychology in applied settings.

New undergraduate students can enjoy a guaranteed tuition rate of $430.75 per credit hour (fees and textbook rental included) for four continuous academic years. Learners with associate degrees and full-time enrollment can earn their degrees in 24 months.

5. Aurora University

Aurora University offers a 120-credit online BA in psychology at an affordable rate of $465 per credit. This psychology bachelor's program explores general psychology, research methods in psychology, cognitive psychology, and applied behavioral analysis. Enrollees interested in gaining real-world experience can participate in an optional internship in their local community.

Admission requirements for students without at least 60 hours of transfer credits include proof of high school graduation (or a completed GED). Students with fewer than 15 transfer credit hours need a 2.5 or higher high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores.

6. The Chicago School

The Chicago School offers online undergraduate and advanced degrees in psychology. The online BA in psychology teaches foundational psychology concepts and offers minors in applied behavior analysis, health science, and addiction studies. Graduate students can pursue an online Master of Arts (MA) in applied science with 10 concentrations and an applied research project.

Students in online BA and BS degree programs pay $516 per credit hour, while online MA and Master of Science students pay $1,368. Financial aid options are available to help reduce tuition costs.

7. Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago's BA in applied psychology explores human behavior, cognition, motivation, and emotion while helping students develop creative problem-solving skills. The program costs $790 per credit and offers several scholarships, including the SCPS Fellow Scholarship which gives up to $5,250 each year to match the total eligible amount received from an employer tuition reimbursement program.

This psychology bachelor's degree has earned a top-five ranking for best online undergraduate degree in psychology from U.S. News & World Report. Enrollees can choose from fully online and on-campus options.

8. Depaul University

Depaul University's College of Science and Health offers an online BA in psychology that doesn't require students to take on-campus classes. Enrollees learn to design and conduct psychology research studies, read behavioral science data, and apply research findings to real-world situations. Standard and human development concentrations are available.

Part-time students taking one to 11 (or more than 18) credit hours pay $796 per credit hour, while full-time students pay $15,065 per term. Scholarships are available for first-year, transfer, and continuing students, including the State Scholar Plus, which offers fall freshmen up to $100,000 over four years.

FAQs About Affordable Online Psychology Programs

Do you want to learn more about affordable online psychology programs? Explore the following frequently asked questions.

How Much Does an Online Psychology Degree Cost in Illinois?

The cost of an online psychology degree in Illinois varies based on factors like school of choice, residency, degree type (i.e., bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree), and enrollment status (part-time vs. full-time). The University of Illinois Springfield offers one of the most affordable programs, with tuition as low as $312.25 per credit.

How Can I Make My Online Degree More Affordable?

If online degree affordability is on your mind, consider financial aid and scholarships to lower tuition costs. Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help you qualify for federal financial aid options like grants, loans, and work-study jobs. You can apply for scholarships from your school, private organizations, and other entities to lower costs even further.

Is an Online Psychology Degree Credible?

Many employers deem online psychology degree programs from well-known institutions as credible. When searching for programs, consider ones accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

After earning your degree, you can qualify for the same roles as graduates of on-campus programs. For instance, an online master's or doctoral degree in psychology can prepare you to become a psychologist. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this career has a promising job outlook with employment projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033.

Explore Online Courses and Degrees

If you're ready to begin a fulfilling career in psychology, explore the degree programs offered by colleges on Learn.org. Contact one of these schools directly to discover the educational paths you can take to reach your career goals.