Psychology at Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,104/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #274 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 50%

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 $575K $568K $518K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.0x 8.9x 8.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.1x 5.1x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,084
Out-of-state: $112,344 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,984
-19% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,232
75% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $32,104/yr, Psychology graduates from Illinois State University land near the $31,705 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.9x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Psychology's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $32,104 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #274 of 926 Psychology programs, Illinois State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $56,232 show a 75% jump from the $32,104 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Illinois State University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Illinois State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 18,414 in Normal, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Illinois State University →

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 State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology at Illinois State University?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Psychology careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $517,819 in decade earnings vs $575,276 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →