Compare 9 Environmental Studies. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $41,273.
Environmental Studies programs produce graduates earning between $26,998 and $50,978—a $24K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 9 ranked programs in Illinois, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with Environmental Studies graduates earning $50,978, well above the $41,273 state average. Loyola University Chicago follows at $48,822, while Augustana College reaches $46,929—proving that program-focused evaluation reveals opportunities beyond school rankings.
Highest program earnings: $50,978
Strong outcomes ($48,822) with 81% acceptance
9.4% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
28.6% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $50,978 | 67 | $19,500 | Good | $34,511 | High | |
| #2 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $48,822 | 70 | $24,157 | Manageable | $54,045 | High |
| #3 | Augustana CollegePrivate | $46,929 | 29 | $27,000 | Manageable | $37,219 | High |
| #4 | Illinois Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | $42,682 | 8 | $27,000 | Challenging | $47,679 | High |
| #5 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $42,412 | 30 | $23,168 | Manageable | $41,563 | High |
| #6 | $42,069 | 34 | $22,162 | Manageable | $19,508 | High | |
| #7 | Knox CollegePrivate | $40,881 | 16 | $27,000 | Challenging | $28,730 | High |
| #8 | $29,685 | 18 | $14,600 | High | $13,578 | High | |
| #9 | Lake Forest CollegePrivate | $26,998 | 16 | $26,158 | High | $35,000 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
