Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Illinois Chicago, Northern Illinois University and Illinois State University award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees and certificates in Illinois: 34, 26 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Illinois colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences and award 157 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program focuses on the study of the Earth's structure, composition, and processes. This program is designed for students interested in understanding natural phenomena and the physical sciences…
Top 2 institutions, 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 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,280 | 34 | 62% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,867 | 17 | 85% | — | $23,250 |
Colleges awarding the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Illinois
Top 10 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 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public | 34 | $37,280 |
| 2 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public | 26 | Not reported |
| 3 | Illinois State University Normal Public | 25 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 17 | $38,867 |
| 5 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 6 | Augustana College Rock Island Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 7 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 8 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 9 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 10 | Western Illinois University Macomb Public | 4 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheaton College | Wheaton | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (SOC 19-2042).
Top skills
What Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees?+
University of Illinois Chicago (34 graduates a year), Northern Illinois University (26 graduates a year) and Illinois State University (25 graduates a year) award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Illinois colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
Which Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Illinois Chicago tops the list at $37,280. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Illinois is $109,290 (median $96,950), across about 410 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program?+
The Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program focuses on the study of the Earth's structure, composition, and processes. This program is designed for students interested in understanding natural phenomena and the physical sciences…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, science, speaking, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers?+
The national job outlook is about +3.2% growth with around 2,000 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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