Best colleges for Computer Science in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Chicago and Northwestern University are the top bachelor's Computer Science programs in Illinois by graduate earnings. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $124,530, College Scorecard. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Illinois Chicago award the most Computer Science degrees in Illinois: 1,684, 778 and 586 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 42 Illinois colleges offer Computer Science and award 5,709 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Computer Science program focuses on the study of computation, information, and automation. This field encompasses both theoretical and applied disciplines, making it suitable for individuals interested in technology and…
Top 10 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 | $124,530 | 1,684 | 85% | — | $20,500 |
| 2 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $117,578 | 454 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 3 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $99,981 | 336 | 95% | $14,799 | $14,600 |
| 4 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $86,005 | 778 | 75% | $19,899 | $23,250 |
| 5 | Illinois State University Normal Public · Bachelor's degree | $81,363 | 69 | 65% | — | $22,500 |
| 6 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,040 | 586 | 62% | — | $19,087 |
| 7 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,257 | 214 | 49% | — | $22,966 |
| 8 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,106 | 89 | 57% | — | $21,745 |
| 9 | Augustana College Rock Island Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,745 | 33 | 73% | $14,960 | $27,000 |
| 10 | University of Illinois Springfield Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,657 | 265 | 53% | — | $30,301 |
Colleges awarding the most Computer Science 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 | 1,684 | $124,530 |
| 2 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit | 778 | $86,005 |
| 3 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public | 586 | $78,040 |
| 4 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 454 | $117,578 |
| 5 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 336 | $99,981 |
| 6 | Lewis University Romeoville Private not-for-profit | 315 | $60,726 |
| 7 | University of Illinois Springfield Springfield Public | 265 | $72,657 |
| 8 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public | 214 | $77,257 |
| 9 | Roosevelt University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 109 | $41,976 |
| 10 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public | 89 | $70,053 |
ShowHide the other 32 Illinois colleges offering Computer Science
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governors State University | University Park | Public | 159 |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | Public | 97 |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville | Public | 89 |
| Chicago State University | Chicago | Public | 75 |
| Illinois State University | Normal | Public | 69 |
| Bradley University | Peoria | Private not-for-profit | 46 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 35 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island | Private not-for-profit | 33 |
| North Central College | Naperville | Private not-for-profit | 29 |
| Aurora University | Aurora | Private not-for-profit | 26 |
| Saint Xavier University | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 24 |
| Rockford University | Rockford | Private not-for-profit | 23 |
| Knox College | Galesburg | Private not-for-profit | 22 |
| Lake Forest College | Lake Forest | Private not-for-profit | 21 |
| Elmhurst University | Elmhurst | Private not-for-profit | 19 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton | Private not-for-profit | 17 |
| Dominican University | River Forest | Private not-for-profit | 15 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Benedictine University | Lisle | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Quincy University | Quincy | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Trinity Christian College | Palos Heights | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (Graduate only) | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| DePaul University | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | Public | 7 |
| Illinois College | Jacksonville | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| McKendree University | Lebanon | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Millikin University | Decatur | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Monmouth College | Monmouth | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Blackburn College | Carlinville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| University of St Francis | Joliet | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Principia College | Elsah | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC 15-1221).
Top skills
What Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Computer Science programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Computer Science degrees?+
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1,684 graduates a year), Illinois Institute of Technology (778 graduates a year) and University of Illinois Chicago (586 graduates a year) award the most Computer Science degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 42 Illinois colleges offer Computer Science.
What is the best college for Computer Science in Illinois?+
By graduate earnings, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads among bachelor's Computer Science programs in Illinois, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $124,530, College Scorecard. University of Chicago and Northwestern University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the largest, with 1,684 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Computer Science 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 $124,530. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Illinois is $142,950 (median $136,540), across about 630 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Computer Science program?+
The Computer Science program focuses on the study of computation, information, and automation. This field encompasses both theoretical and applied disciplines, making it suitable for individuals interested in technology and…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Computer and Information Research Scientists?+
The national job outlook is about +19.7% growth with around 3,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master'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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