Best colleges for Computer Software and Media Applications in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Illinois State University, DePaul University and Bradley University award the most Computer Software and Media Applications degrees and certificates in Illinois: 94, 80 and 37 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 26 Illinois colleges offer Computer Software and Media Applications and award 469 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Computer Software and Media Applications program focuses on the design, development, and implementation of software systems and media applications. It is ideal for individuals interested in combining creativity with technical skills to…
Top 2 institutions, 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 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,859 | 80 | 68% | $28,141 | $23,249 |
| 2 | DeVry University - Illinois Lisle Private for-profit · Certificate Online | $33,504 | 61 | 37% | $32,381 | $48,849 |
Colleges awarding the most Computer Software and Media Applications degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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 | Illinois State University Normal Public | 94 | Not reported |
| 2 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 80 | $54,859 |
| 3 | Bradley University Peoria Private not-for-profit | 37 | Not reported |
| 4 | Heartland Community College Normal Public | 31 | Not reported |
| 5 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 6 | College of Lake County Grayslake Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 7 | Kankakee Community College Kankakee Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 8 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 9 | Illinois Central College East Peoria Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 10 | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey Public | 9 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 16 Illinois colleges offering Computer Software and Media Applications
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeVry University - Illinois (Online) | Lisle | Private for-profit | 61 |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet | Public | 34 |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Public | 20 |
| Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville | Public | 7 |
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake | Public | 7 |
| Lake Land College | Mattoon | Public | 4 |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin | Public | 3 |
| Illinois Eastern Community Colleges | Olney | Public | 3 |
| Oakton College | Des Plaines | Public | 3 |
| Richland Community College | Decatur | Public | 3 |
| Dominican University | River Forest | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Kaskaskia College | Centralia | Public | 2 |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights | Public | 2 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College | Chicago | Public | 1 |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Software Developers (SOC 15-1252).
Top skills
What Software Developers earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Computer Software and Media Applications programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Computer Software and Media Applications degrees?+
Illinois State University (94 graduates a year), DePaul University (80 graduates a year) and Bradley University (37 graduates a year) award the most Computer Software and Media Applications degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 26 Illinois colleges offer Computer Software and Media Applications.
Which Computer Software and Media Applications program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, DePaul University tops the list at $54,859. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Software Developers earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Software Developers in Illinois is $136,540 (median $132,110), across about 56,310 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Computer Software and Media Applications program?+
The Computer Software and Media Applications program focuses on the design, development, and implementation of software systems and media applications. It is ideal for individuals interested in combining creativity with technical skills to…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active learning, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Software Developers?+
The national job outlook is about +15.8% growth with around 115,200 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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