Best colleges for Soil Sciences in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale is the only Illinois college that awards Soil Sciences degrees and certificates: 7 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
The Soil Sciences program focuses on the study of soil as it relates to agricultural production, environmental health, and land management. This program is ideal for students interested in the science behind food and fiber production, as…
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 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $55,076 | 7 | 62% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Soil Sciences degrees in Illinois
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 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public | 7 | $55,076 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Soil and Plant Scientists (SOC 19-1013).
Top skills
What Soil and Plant Scientists earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Soil Sciences programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Soil Sciences degrees?+
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale is the only Illinois college that awards Soil Sciences degrees and certificates: 7 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions).
How much do Soil and Plant Scientists earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Illinois is $89,520 (median $79,490), across about 820 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Soil Sciences program?+
The Soil Sciences program focuses on the study of soil as it relates to agricultural production, environmental health, and land management. This program is ideal for students interested in the science behind food and fiber production, as…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, speaking, science, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Soil and Plant Scientists?+
The national job outlook is about +5.4% growth with around 1,700 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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