Illinois · Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

Best colleges for Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications in Illinois

Ranked by graduate earnings

Elmhurst University, Illinois Central College and Southwestern Illinois College award the most Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications degrees and certificates in Illinois: 107, 57 and 38 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 38 Illinois colleges offer Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications and award 1,403 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications program focuses on the study of computer systems, networking, and telecommunications. This program is designed for students interested in understanding and managing the infrastructure…

Institutions
38
offering CIP 11.09
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,403
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$44,735
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,903
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
43%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Computer Systems Analysts
$104,190
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Illinois State University
Normal Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$66,801665%——
2DePaul University
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$61,4821968%$28,141$24,750
3DeVry University - Illinois
Lisle Private for-profit · Associate degree Online
$44,73563837%$32,381$32,882
4City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College
Chicago Public · Associate degree Small program
$34,6911531%——

Colleges awarding the most Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Elmhurst University
Elmhurst Private not-for-profit
107Not reported
2Illinois Central College
East Peoria Public
57Not reported
3Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville Public
38Not reported
4Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills Public
29Not reported
5Elgin Community College
Elgin Public
28Not reported
6Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago Private not-for-profit
24Not reported
7College of Lake County
Grayslake Public
22Not reported
8DePaul University
Chicago Private not-for-profit
19$61,482
9Rock Valley College
Rockford Public
19Not reported
10City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College
Chicago Public
15$34,691
Show the other 28 Illinois colleges offering Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
DeVry University - Illinois (Online)LislePrivate for-profit638
Joliet Junior CollegeJolietPublic180
College of DuPageGlen EllynPublic91
McHenry County CollegeCrystal LakePublic11
Illinois Eastern Community CollegesOlneyPublic10
Lewis and Clark Community CollegeGodfreyPublic10
Oakton CollegeDes PlainesPublic10
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley CollegeChicagoPublic9
Spoon River CollegeCantonPublic9
Prairie State CollegeChicago HeightsPublic8
Rend Lake CollegeInaPublic8
Lincoln Land Community CollegeSpringfieldPublic7
Southeastern Illinois CollegeHarrisburgPublic7
City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman CollegeChicagoPublic6
Illinois State UniversityNormalPublic6
Parkland CollegeChampaignPublic5
Heartland Community CollegeNormalPublic5
Illinois Valley Community CollegeOglesbyPublic4
Danville Area Community CollegeDanvillePublic3
Kaskaskia CollegeCentraliaPublic3
Sauk Valley Community CollegeDixonPublic3
Triton CollegeRiver GrovePublic3
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King CollegeChicagoPublic2
City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey CollegeChicagoPublic2
CALC Institute of TechnologyAltonPrivate for-profit2
Kishwaukee CollegeMaltaPublic1
Morton CollegeCiceroPublic1
Olivet Nazarene UniversityBourbonnaisPrivate not-for-profit1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Computer Systems Analysts (SOC 15-1211).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+8.7%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~34,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$103,790
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

SpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningActive LearningMonitoring

What Computer Systems Analysts earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
20,610
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$104,190
median $101,570
Best-paying metro
$115,180
Springfield, IL

Related careers

Software Developers
$136,540 avg · 56,310 jobs
Computer and Information Systems Managers
$179,190 avg · 31,680 jobs
Computer Systems Analysts
$104,190 avg · 20,610 jobs
Computer Network Architects
$138,530 avg · 7,810 jobs
Computer Network Support Specialists
$74,580 avg · 6,960 jobs
Information Security Analysts
$127,000 avg · 5,260 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications programs in Illinois.

Which Illinois colleges award the most Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications degrees?+

Elmhurst University (107 graduates a year), Illinois Central College (57 graduates a year) and Southwestern Illinois College (38 graduates a year) award the most Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 38 Illinois colleges offer Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications.

How much do Computer Systems Analysts earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Computer Systems Analysts in Illinois is $104,190 (median $101,570), across about 20,610 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications program?+

The Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications program focuses on the study of computer systems, networking, and telecommunications. This program is designed for students interested in understanding and managing the infrastructure…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop speaking, reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Computer Systems Analysts?+

The national job outlook is about +8.7% growth with around 34,200 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).

Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications in other statesUtahMassachusettsArizonaCaliforniaVirginiaMichiganOhioMinnesota

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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