Best colleges for Geography and Cartography in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Illinois State University, Western Illinois University and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign award the most Geography and Cartography degrees in Illinois: 31, 19 and 17 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Illinois colleges offer Geography and Cartography and award 154 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Geography and Cartography program focuses on the study of spatial relationships and the creation of maps and visual representations of geographical data. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the physical and…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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 | Illinois State University Normal Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,952 | 31 | 65% | — | $15,500 |
| 2 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $42,214 | 17 | 85% | — | $25,000 |
| 3 | Augustana College Rock Island Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $40,683 | 9 | 73% | $14,960 | $27,000 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit · Certificate | $47,464 | 29 | 68% | $28,141 | $23,412 |
Colleges awarding the most Geography and Cartography degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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 | Illinois State University Normal Public | 31 | $34,952 |
| 2 | Western Illinois University Macomb Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 17 | $42,214 |
| 4 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 5 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 6 | Augustana College Rock Island Private not-for-profit | 9 | $40,683 |
| 7 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 8 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 9 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 10 | Lake Land College Mattoon Public | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Illinois colleges offering Geography and Cartography
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| DePaul University | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 29 |
| Chicago State University | Chicago | Public | 4 |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | Public | 4 |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Public | 3 |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Geographers (SOC 19-3092).
Top skills
What Geographers earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Geography and Cartography programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Geography and Cartography degrees?+
Illinois State University (31 graduates a year), Western Illinois University (19 graduates a year) and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (17 graduates a year) award the most Geography and Cartography degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Illinois colleges offer Geography and Cartography.
Which Geography and Cartography program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Illinois State University tops the list at $34,952. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Geographers earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Geographers in Illinois is $92,160 (median $92,640), across about 40 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Geography and Cartography program?+
The Geography and Cartography program focuses on the study of spatial relationships and the creation of maps and visual representations of geographical data. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the physical and…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop writing, reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Geographers?+
The national job outlook is about -3.1% growth with around 100 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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