Best Geography and Cartography Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 7 colleges offering Geography and Cartography programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 110 recent graduates. Graduates earn $34,840 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,813.

School choice matters significantly: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates earn $41,789 while Southern Illinois University-Carbondale graduates earn $28,960 — a $12,829 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in IL

$34,840

IL Avg. Earnings

$34,813

National Avg.

164

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Geography and Cartography in Illinois

Public Schools (6)

$35,870

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (1)

$29,685

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Illinois produce comparable or higher early earnings for Geography and Cartography graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Geography and Cartography Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$41,789

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,843

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 97.2%

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $52,886

Graduates: 28

Acceptance: 89.0%

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$31,133

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,269

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 43.7%

Augustana College

Rock Island, IL · Private

$29,685

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 67.7%

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$44,189

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,698

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 70.5%

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public

$33,281

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 67.8%

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

$28,960

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,117

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 90.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Geography and Cartography in Illinois?

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranks #1 for Geography and Cartography in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $41,789 within two years of graduation. There are 7 schools offering Geography and Cartography programs in the state.

How much do Geography and Cartography graduates earn in Illinois?

Geography and Cartography graduates in Illinois earn an average of $34,840 within two years of graduation. This is near the national average of $34,813 for this major.

What is the hardest Geography and Cartography school to get into in Illinois?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the most selective Geography and Cartography program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 43.7%. The average acceptance rate across Geography and Cartography programs in the state is 75.2%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Geography and Cartography in Illinois?

In Illinois, private Geography and Cartography programs produce average earnings of $29,685 vs $35,870 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 6 public and 1 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318

All colleges in Illinois →

Geography and Cartography in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.