Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Eastern Illinois University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 puts this program in manageable territory—based on comparable geosciences programs nationally, graduates typically earn around $39,678 in their first year while carrying roughly $24,757 in debt. That's within the standard guidelines of keeping debt below annual income, though it's worth noting these figures come from peer programs rather than Eastern Illinois's specific outcomes. The geosciences field doesn't typically produce dramatic salary growth immediately after graduation, so this first-year number likely represents a starting point rather than a temporary dip.

Illinois geosciences programs cluster tightly around these figures, with the state median at $38,074—suggesting Eastern Illinois's estimated outcomes align with regional norms. Even top-tier programs like U of I Urbana-Champaign report first-year earnings of $38,867, indicating the field itself may have fairly compressed entry-level salaries regardless of institutional prestige. For a moderately selective public university serving a substantial population of Pell recipients, matching state and national benchmarks would represent solid performance.

The limitation here is simple: without actual data from Eastern Illinois graduates, you're betting on the program performing like its peers rather than knowing it does. If your student is committed to geosciences and values Eastern Illinois's setting and cost structure, the estimated numbers don't flash warning signs—but confirming alumni outcomes directly with the department would give you firmer ground to stand on.