Educational Psychology Degree in Waukegan, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Educational Psychology degree analysis for Waukegan, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$59K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.6 yrs
in Waukegan
Cost of Living
90.3
index (100 = avg)
Educational Psychology in Waukegan, IL Overview
While Waukegan has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Educational Psychology students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,641/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Educational Psychology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Learning Theory and Assessment Design. The adjusted starting salary in Waukegan is approximately $45,150.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,641/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,734/yr
Unemployment
5.1%
Graduation Rate
74%
Educational Psychology Salary in Waukegan (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Waukegan's cost of living index of 90.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Educational Psychology salary: $50,000 starting, $65,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Waukegan adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Educational Psychology ROI Calculator for Waukegan
Estimate your return on investment for a Educational Psychology degree using local Waukegan tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Waukegan avg aid: $13,734/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$116,164
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,545
vs HS diploma in Waukegan
ROI Payback Period
8.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Waukegan
$226,976
Lifetime earnings premium ($343,140) minus total education cost ($116,164)
Student Loan Payoff for Educational Psychology in Waukegan
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Waukegan for Educational Psychology
Waukegan State University
public
$15,619/yr
$62,476 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Waukegan Community College
$4,848/yr
Top Employers for Educational Psychology in Waukegan
Waukegan offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Educational Psychology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Waukegan Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Educational Psychology Job Titles
Educational Psychology in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$54K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$40K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$46K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Other Education Majors in Waukegan
Instructional Design & Technology
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$45K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Educational Psychology Degree in Waukegan — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Educational Psychology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Waukegan.