Best colleges for Behavioral Sciences in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Western Illinois University, Loyola University Chicago and University of Chicago award the most Behavioral Sciences degrees and certificates in Illinois: 56, 49 and 5 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Illinois colleges offer Behavioral Sciences and award 127 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Behavioral Sciences program focuses on understanding and analyzing human behavior through an interdisciplinary approach. It encompasses various fields such as psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and social science, making it…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East-West University Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,135 | 11 | 16% | $24,900 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Behavioral Sciences degrees in Illinois
Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Illinois University Macomb Public | 56 | Not reported |
| 2 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 49 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 4 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 5 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Behavioral Sciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| East-West University | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Social Science Research Assistants (SOC 19-4061).
Top skills
What Social Science Research Assistants earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Behavioral Sciences programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Behavioral Sciences degrees?+
Western Illinois University (56 graduates a year), Loyola University Chicago (49 graduates a year) and University of Chicago (5 graduates a year) award the most Behavioral Sciences degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Illinois colleges offer Behavioral Sciences.
How much do Social Science Research Assistants earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Illinois is $69,900 (median $64,890), across about 250 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Behavioral Sciences program?+
The Behavioral Sciences program focuses on understanding and analyzing human behavior through an interdisciplinary approach. It encompasses various fields such as psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and social science, making it…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, writing, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Social Science Research Assistants?+
The national job outlook is about +4.4% growth with around 5,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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