Best Online Psychology Programs in DeKalb, IL (2026)
DeKalb, Illinois has a population of about 40,464. The city’s median household income is $46,564 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of DeKalb. 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 DeKalb
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from DeKalb city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Aurora University | Aurora, IL | 23.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Judson University | Elgin, IL | 25.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rockford University | Rockford, IL | 27.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 32.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near DeKalb
DeKalb 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.
DeKalb at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,464 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $46,564 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in DeKalb County | 1,677 workers, 105 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other DeKalb-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Geneva, IL – 22.1 mi away (21,880 pop)
- Saint Charles, IL – 22.5 mi away (32,717 pop)
- Huntley, IL – 22.7 mi away (26,611 pop)
- Elgin, IL – 23.1 mi away (112,123 pop)
- Belvidere, IL – 23.2 mi away (25,070 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near DeKalb, IL?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of DeKalb. The closest is Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is North Central College (32.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near DeKalb?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near DeKalb 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 Geneva instead of DeKalb?
Geneva, IL is 22.1 miles from DeKalb 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 DeKalb an affordable place to study psychology?
DeKalb’s median household income of $46,564 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in DeKalb 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
Back to Best Online Psychology Programs in Illinois (2026)
Return to Best Online Psychology Programs in Illinois (2026)