Best colleges for Computer Engineering in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Illinois Chicago are the top bachelor's Computer Engineering programs in Illinois by graduate earnings. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $103,123, College Scorecard. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology and Northwestern University award the most Computer Engineering degrees in Illinois: 458, 109 and 86 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 13 Illinois colleges offer Computer Engineering and award 972 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Computer Engineering program combines principles of computer science and engineering, focusing on the design and development of computer hardware and software systems. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection…
Top 5 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree | $103,123 | 458 | 85% | — | $20,500 |
| 2 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $81,252 | 109 | 75% | $19,899 | $26,500 |
| 3 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,148 | 55 | 62% | — | $22,000 |
| 4 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,020 | 36 | 73% | $33,454 | $25,000 |
| 5 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $71,841 | 9 | 57% | — | $23,125 |
Colleges awarding the most Computer Engineering degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 458 | $103,123 |
| 2 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit | 109 | $81,252 |
| 3 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 86 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public | 55 | $71,148 |
| 5 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 36 | $68,020 |
| 6 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 20 | Not reported |
| 7 | Bradley University Peoria Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 8 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 9 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville Public | 9 | $71,841 |
| 10 | North Central College Naperville Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 Illinois colleges offering Computer Engineering
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeVry University - Illinois (Online) | Lisle | Private for-profit | 171 |
| Lewis University | Romeoville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Saint Xavier University | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Computer Hardware Engineers (SOC 17-2061).
Top skills
What Computer Hardware Engineers earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Computer Engineering programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Computer Engineering degrees?+
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (458 graduates a year), Illinois Institute of Technology (109 graduates a year) and Northwestern University (86 graduates a year) award the most Computer Engineering degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 13 Illinois colleges offer Computer Engineering.
What is the best college for Computer Engineering in Illinois?+
By graduate earnings, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads among bachelor's Computer Engineering programs in Illinois, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $103,123, College Scorecard. Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Illinois Chicago follow. By degrees awarded, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the largest, with 458 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Computer Engineering program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign tops the list at $103,123. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Computer Hardware Engineers earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Computer Hardware Engineers in Illinois is $138,940 (median $133,220), across about 1,420 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Computer Engineering program?+
The Computer Engineering program combines principles of computer science and engineering, focusing on the design and development of computer hardware and software systems. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, writing, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Computer Hardware Engineers?+
The national job outlook is about +7.3% growth with around 4,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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