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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Geography & Cartography Schools in Illinois

6 Colleges in the United States
105 Geography & Cartography Degrees Awarded
$44,973 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geography & Cartography is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their geography & cartography programs.

College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best geography & cartography schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Geography & Cartography in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the geography & cartography degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Geography & Cartography

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign tops our 2026 ranking of the best geography & cartography schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 26 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $42,214 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the geography & cartography program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong geography & cartography program will find one at Depaul University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 24 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from Depaul University earn around $47,464 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,412 to complete this degree. Get the full geography & cartography details for Depaul University

3

Illinois State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #3 spot this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 22 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from Illinois State University earn around $34,952 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500. Get the full geography & cartography details for Illinois State University

4

Northern Illinois University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geography & cartography, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Typical student debt for the program is $25,209. See the full geography & cartography program report for Northern Illinois University

5

A rank of #5 makes Western Illinois University one of the top schools for geography & cartography. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. Western Illinois University graduates 45% of students within six years. About 16 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Western Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography & cartography program at Western Illinois University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 22 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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