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Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois

23 Schools Ranked
$45,060 Average Earnings
$21,268 Avg Student Debt

There are so many computer science programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Computer Science Degree Search has created its Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois ranking. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in Illinois to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for computer science students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Computer Science Schools in Illinois

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

$53,270 Average Earnings
$18,891 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign the best school in Illinois for computer science students working on their degree.

On average, students take out $18,891 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $415 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UIUC graduates make an average of $53,270 annually.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Report

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
$69,538 Average Earnings
$19,000 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,000 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $576 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Northwestern graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $69,538 during the early year of their career.

Full Northwestern University Report

#3

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
$62,519 Average Earnings
$15,217 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Chicago is a great place for computer science students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,217 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $708, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UChicago graduates make an average of $62,519 annually.

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#4

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
$47,459 Average Earnings
$22,930 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Loyola University Chicago is a great place for computer science students.

Degree recipients from Loyola Chicago accumulate an average of $22,930 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $652, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Loyola Chicago graduates make an average of $47,459 annually.

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#5

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
$49,846 Average Earnings
$24,047 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend DePaul University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,047 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $517 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DePaul graduates make an average of $49,846 annually.

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$53,836 Average Earnings
$19,801 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,801 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $259, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UIC graduates make an average of $53,836 annually.

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#7

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
$44,092 Average Earnings
$21,109 Avg Student Debt

Illinois State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #7 on the list.

Degree recipients from Illinois State accumulate an average of $21,109 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $312, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Illinois State graduates make an average of $44,092 annually.

Full Illinois State University Report

#8

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
$48,984 Average Earnings
$23,413 Avg Student Debt

Lewis University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #8 on the list.

Degree recipients from Lewis accumulate an average of $23,413 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $411 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Lewis graduates make an average of $48,984 annually.

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#9

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, Illinois
$68,021 Average Earnings
$24,232 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,232 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Illinois Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $68,021 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Illinois Institute of Technology

#10

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
$38,708 Average Earnings
$28,617 Avg Student Debt

Western Illinois University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,617 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $266 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, WIU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,708 during the early year of their career.

Full Western Illinois University Report

#11

DeVry University - Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
$48,020 Average Earnings
$40,148 Avg Student Debt

DeVry University - Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #11 on the list.

On average, students take out $40,148 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $163, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, DeVry University - Illinois graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,020 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on DeVry University - Illinois

$42,413 Average Earnings
$23,594 Avg Student Debt

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #12 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois list.

On average, students take out $23,594 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $165. Once they receive their degree, SIUC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,413 during the early year of their career.

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#13

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
$52,822 Average Earnings
$25,068 Avg Student Debt

Bradley University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #13 on the list.

On average, students take out $25,068 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $575, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Bradley graduates make an average of $52,822 annually.

Full Bradley University Report

#14

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
$42,201 Average Earnings
$28,848 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Dominican University did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,848 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $140 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Dominican U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,201 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Dominican University

#15

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, Illinois
$45,746 Average Earnings
$24,579 Avg Student Debt

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois ranking.

On average, students take out $24,579 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $221, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SIUE graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,746 during the early year of their career.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Report

#16

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
$38,688 Average Earnings
$23,733 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #16 on the list.

On average, students take out $23,733 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $178, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, EIU graduates make an average of $38,688 annually.

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#17

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois
$36,934 Average Earnings
$12,518 Avg Student Debt

Southwestern Illinois College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.

Degree recipients from SWIC accumulate an average of $12,518 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, SWIC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,934 during the early year of their career.

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#18

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois
$45,109 Average Earnings
$25,891 Avg Student Debt

University of Illinois at Springfield ranked #18 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,891 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $128. During the early years of their career, UIS graduates make an average of $45,109 annually.

Read full report on University of Illinois at Springfield

#19

Rasmussen University - Illinois

Rockford, Illinois
$41,940 Average Earnings
$30,604 Avg Student Debt

Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.

Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of $30,604 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $127.After graduating from Rasmussen University - Illinois, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,940 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Rasmussen University - Illinois

#20

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
$48,041 Average Earnings
$25,759 Avg Student Debt

Northern Illinois University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,759 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $216, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, NIU graduates make an average of $48,041 annually.

Read full report on Northern Illinois University

#21

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois
$46,594 Average Earnings
$26,018 Avg Student Debt

Saint Xavier University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #21 on the list.

Degree recipients from SXU accumulate an average of $26,018 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $186, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SXU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,594 during the early years of their career.

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#22

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
$41,771 Average Earnings
$26,690 Avg Student Debt

Roosevelt University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.

Degree recipients from Roosevelt accumulate an average of $26,690 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $413. Once they receive their degree, Roosevelt graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,771 during the early year of their career.

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#23

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
$44,233 Average Earnings
$28,123 Avg Student Debt

Governors State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #23 on the list.

Degree recipients from GSU accumulate an average of $28,123 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, GSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,233 during the early year of their career.

Full Governors State University Report

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 23 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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