Illinois · Natural Sciences

Best colleges for Natural Sciences in Illinois

Ranked by graduate earnings

Dominican University and Judson University award the most Natural Sciences degrees and certificates in Illinois: 15 and 1 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 2 Illinois colleges offer Natural Sciences and award 16 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Natural Sciences program is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the study of natural phenomena. It encompasses various scientific disciplines, including both physical and life sciences, providing students with a comprehensive…

Institutions
2
offering CIP 30.18
States offered
34
with a program page
Degrees / yr
16
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$27,081
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$25,200
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
58%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Natural Sciences Managers
$167,700
BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Dominican University
River Forest Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$27,0811555%$16,176$25,054

Colleges awarding the most Natural Sciences degrees in Illinois

Top 2 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Dominican University
River Forest Private not-for-profit
15$27,081
2Judson University
Elgin Private not-for-profit
1Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Natural Sciences Managers (SOC 11-9121).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.7%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~8,500
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$161,180
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

ScienceActive ListeningMonitoringCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionWriting

What Natural Sciences Managers earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
2,810
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$167,700
median $159,670
Best-paying metro
$174,760
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Related careers

Physical Scientists, All Other
$113,840 avg · 580 jobs
Life Scientists, All Other
$67,660 avg · 160 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Natural Sciences programs in Illinois.

Which Illinois colleges award the most Natural Sciences degrees?+

Dominican University (15 graduates a year) and Judson University (1 graduate a year) award the most Natural Sciences degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 2 Illinois colleges offer Natural Sciences.

How much do Natural Sciences Managers earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Natural Sciences Managers in Illinois is $167,700 (median $159,670), across about 2,810 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Natural Sciences program?+

The Natural Sciences program is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the study of natural phenomena. It encompasses various scientific disciplines, including both physical and life sciences, providing students with a comprehensive…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop science, active listening, monitoring, critical thinking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Natural Sciences Managers?+

The national job outlook is about +3.7% growth with around 8,500 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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