Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Illinois Chicago

UIC's geosciences program costs less than most competitors, but first-year earnings lag behind what graduates typically make in this field. At $37,280, new graduates earn about $2,400 below the national median and nearly $800 below Illinois's state median. Among Illinois geoscience programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile—meaning 60% of in-state options produce higher-earning graduates. Even the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the state's flagship, sees graduates earning just $1,600 more, which suggests broader challenges for geology careers in Illinois rather than a program-specific issue.

The debt picture offers some reassurance. At $27,000, graduates carry slightly more than the national median but emerge with a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72. That's actually below the threshold where debt becomes problematic, and most graduates should be able to handle payments on an entry-level salary. The program also serves a substantial population of Pell Grant recipients (50% of UIC students), making it an accessible pathway for first-generation college students interested in earth sciences.

The catch: we're looking at a small sample (under 30 graduates), so these numbers might not reflect the typical experience. For geology-interested students committed to staying in the Chicago area, UIC provides affordable access to the field. However, families should recognize that geoscience careers in Illinois appear to start more modestly than in other states, and students may need to consider relocating or pursuing graduate education to reach higher earning potential.