Location: Carbondale, IL•In-State Tuition: $13,244•Admission Rate: 90%•Avg SAT: 1060
Median Earnings (1yr)
$55,076
93rd percentile
Sample: 20 graduates Limited data

Earnings Distribution

How Southern Illinois University-Carbondale graduates compare to all programs nationally

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale earns $55k — 93th percentile among soil sciences bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale$55,076$54,080-2%
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point$50,046$59,311+19%
Colorado State University-Fort Collins$46,287$58,257+26%
Michigan State University$50,770$53,927+6%
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville$55,322$47,438-14%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Soil Sciences bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale$13,244$55,076$54,080——
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville$13,484$55,322$47,438$23,1490.42
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing$15,988$50,770$53,927$21,8590.43
University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointStevens Point$8,834$50,046$59,311$22,9890.46
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins$12,896$46,287$58,257$21,7500.47
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater$10,234$43,421———
National Median—$50,408—$22,4240.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with soil sciences graduates

Microbiologists

Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.

$87,330/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Soil and Plant Scientists

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Agricultural Technicians

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Precision Agriculture Technicians

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, approximately 37% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 18 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.