Best Online Psychology Programs in Des Plaines, IL (2026)
Des Plaines, Illinois has a population of about 59,408. The city’s median household income is $94,303 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 38.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Des Plaines. 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 Des Plaines
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Des Plaines city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hebrew Theological College | Skokie, IL | 7.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elmhurst University | Elmhurst, IL | 9.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dominican University | River Forest, IL | 9.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago, IL | 10.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concordia University-Chicago | River Forest, IL | 10.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Des Plaines
Des Plaines 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.
Des Plaines at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,408 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $94,303 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 38.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Cook County | 123,975 workers, 9,061 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Des Plaines-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Mount Prospect, IL – 2.8 mi away (54,171 pop)
- Park Ridge, IL – 3.3 mi away (37,496 pop)
- Niles, IL – 4.7 mi away (29,617 pop)
- Elk Grove Village, IL – 5.1 mi away (32,931 pop)
- Glenview, IL – 5.3 mi away (47,475 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Des Plaines, IL?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Des Plaines. The closest is Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, IL (7.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Concordia University-Chicago (10.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Des Plaines?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Des Plaines 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 Mount Prospect instead of Des Plaines?
Mount Prospect, IL is 2.8 miles from Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines an affordable place to study psychology?
Des Plaines’s median household income of $94,303 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Des Plaines 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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