Best Online Psychology Programs in Crystal Lake, IL (2026)
Crystal Lake, Illinois has a population of about 40,436. The city’s median household income is $105,428 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 42.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Crystal Lake. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $98,240 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Crystal Lake
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Crystal Lake city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judson University | Elgin, IL | 12.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trinity International University-Illinois | Deerfield, IL | 23.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science | North Chicago, IL | 24.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Forest College | Lake Forest, IL | 26.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 27.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake is part of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area (BLS area code 16980). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Illinois statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $98,240 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $94,826 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | IL statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $80,600 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,799 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $63,820 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $61,602 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $60,580 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $58,475 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $61,150 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $59,025 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $74,700 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,104 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $59,500 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $57,432 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Crystal Lake at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,436 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $105,428 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 42.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in McHenry County | 1,976 workers, 454 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Crystal Lake-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Lake in the Hills, IL – 3.0 mi away (28,830 pop)
- Algonquin, IL – 4.9 mi away (30,947 pop)
- Huntley, IL – 7.1 mi away (26,611 pop)
- Woodstock, IL – 7.4 mi away (25,628 pop)
- McHenry, IL – 7.6 mi away (26,611 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Crystal Lake, IL?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Crystal Lake. The closest is Judson University in Elgin, IL (12.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wheaton College (27.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Crystal Lake?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Crystal Lake are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($98,240), School Psychologist ($80,600), Healthcare Social Worker ($74,700). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Illinois statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Lake in the Hills instead of Crystal Lake?
Lake in the Hills, IL is 3.0 miles from Crystal Lake and has its own set of local psychology programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Crystal Lake an affordable place to study psychology?
Crystal Lake’s median household income of $105,428 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Crystal Lake while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Illinois public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
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