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Best Value Geography and Cartography Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Geography and Cartography programs in Illinois present an unusual economic market where public universities consistently outperform private institutions in graduate earnings. Northern Illinois University graduates earn $44,189 annually, the highest among all 16 programs, while maintaining a net cost of just $12,909. This earnings advantage reflects Illinois's strong geographic information systems sector, particularly in Chicago's finance and logistics industries where spatial analysis drives decision-making for major corporations. Public options dominate the value equation, with Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville offering comparable quality at $13,696 net cost and $41,789 in graduate earnings. Private institutions struggle to justify their premium, as even highly selective schools like University of Chicago produce lower earnings than public alternatives. The state's MAP Grant program further reduces costs for qualifying students at public universities, making Illinois an attractive destination for geography students seeking strong return on investment.
16
Programs
$10,133 – $29,141
Net Price Range
$34,840
Avg. Program Earnings
59.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Geography and Cartography Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,909 $44,189 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
2 $13,696 $41,789 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
3 $12,437 $29,685 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%
4 $14,093 $33,281 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
5 $15,201 $31,133 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
6 $16,177 $28,960 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
7 $10,133 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
8 $18,967 $66,939 94.9% 5.4%
9 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
10 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
11 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
12 $18,996 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
13 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
14 $13,550 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
15 $21,539 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
16 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the large earnings gap between top and bottom programs?

Northern Illinois University graduates earn $44,189 compared to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's $28,960, a difference of over $15,000 annually. The gap reflects varying program strengths and regional job markets. Universities near Chicago typically produce higher-earning graduates due to access to finance, consulting, and technology roles that require geographic analysis skills.

How do graduation rates compare across different price points?

Higher-cost programs generally achieve better graduation outcomes, though with notable exceptions. University of Chicago leads at 94.9% graduation rate, while Chicago State University graduates only 16.9% of students despite having the lowest net cost at $10,133. Augustana College achieves a 79.2% graduation rate at a moderate $12,437 net cost, demonstrating that mid-range options can deliver strong completion rates.

Is the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign worth the higher cost?

UIUC charges $15,201 net cost but produces graduates earning only $31,133, significantly less than several cheaper alternatives. Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville both offer better earnings potential at lower costs. UIUC's 84.9% graduation rate provides some value, but the earnings data suggests other Illinois schools deliver better financial returns for geography students.

Where do private colleges rank in terms of value for geography students?

Private institutions generally underperform in value metrics for geography programs in Illinois. Augustana College offers the best private option at $12,437 net cost, though graduates earn only $29,685. DePaul University represents the most expensive choice at $29,141 net cost with unreported earnings. Public universities consistently provide better cost-to-earnings ratios for geography and cartography students.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.