2027 Best Value Geography Schools in Illinois
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geography students.
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2027 Best Value Geography Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geography Schools
Leading the list is Western Illinois University, our #1 best value for geography in Illinois. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Geography graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Geography graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Geography graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $15,500. Early-career geography graduates make about $34,952. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Depaul University one of the best values for geography. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Geography graduates carry a median of $23,412 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $47,464. Set against $23,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
