Compare 6 Geography. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $39,993.
With top graduates earning $56,375, Geography stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $16K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Northern Illinois University's Geography program leads with graduates earning $56,375, well above the $40K state average. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville follows at $51,648, while Eastern Illinois University graduates earn $36,162—demonstrating how program-specific factors drive outcomes across Illinois public universities.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Northern Illinois University graduates borrow $22,162 and face just a 9.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, making strong earnings truly valuable.
Highest program earnings: $56,375
Strong outcomes ($51,648) with 97% acceptance
9.0% payment burden | Good
18.1% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $56,375 | 13 | $22,162 | Good | $19,508 | Challenging | |
| #2 | $51,648 | 32 | $20,500 | Good | $21,500 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $36,162 | 14 | $21,500 | Challenging | $17,781 | High | |
| #4 | $34,952 | 31 | $20,482 | Challenging | $28,767 | High | |
| #5 | $31,133 | 30 | $19,500 | High | $34,511 | High | |
| #6 | Augustana CollegePrivate | $29,685 | 17 | $27,000 | High | $37,219 | 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 →
