2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois
Looking for the best-value Computer Science degree programs in Illinois? We have ranked 240 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Computer Science Degree evaluated 23 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Computer Science Degree Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Southwestern Illinois College this year in Illinois. Located in Belleville, IL, Southwestern Illinois College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Typical Computer Science student debt is $10,388. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,884. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Southwestern Illinois College report
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Out of the 23 schools in Illinois in this year's value ranking, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #2 spot. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Computer Science students take on a median of $20,778 in debt. Median earnings reach $81,054 ten years out. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign has an acceptance rate of 42%. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
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Out of the 23 schools in Illinois in this year's value ranking, Illinois State University landed the #3 spot. Set in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Illinois State University alumni report median earnings of $62,117 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. See the full Illinois State University profile
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A rank of #4 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the best values in Illinois. Based in Edwardsville, IL, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Typical Computer Science student debt is $23,917. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville report
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You'll get strong value at Western Illinois University, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Macomb, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,572. The median Computer Science program debt is $27,639. Western Illinois University alumni report median earnings of $54,163 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%. Read more about Western Illinois University
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University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public school based in Springfield, IL. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. University Of Illinois At Springfield Computer Science students take on a median of $24,925 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,103 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Illinois At Springfield profile
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University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #7 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school based in Chicago, IL. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. University Of Illinois At Chicago alumni report median earnings of $68,740 a decade after entry. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago has an acceptance rate of 77%. More on University Of Illinois At Chicago
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Eastern Illinois University placed #8 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Illinois. Based in Charleston, IL, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. The median Computer Science program debt is $24,293. Eastern Illinois University alumni report median earnings of $51,989 a decade after entry. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%. Read more about Eastern Illinois University
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Devry University Illinois offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Devry University Illinois is a private for-profit school based in Lisle, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,008. Devry University Illinois Computer Science students take on a median of $43,684 in debt. Median earnings reach $45,987 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $43,684 median debt. About 98% of those who apply are admitted. More on Devry University Illinois
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Governors State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Set in University Park, IL, Governors State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. The median Computer Science program debt is $24,990. Governors State University alumni report median earnings of $58,169 a decade after entry. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants. Get the full Governors State University report
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Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #11 spot for value in Illinois this year. This public school is set in Carbondale, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete their Computer Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,390. Set against $23,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants. More on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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Northern Illinois University offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Dekalb, IL, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Northern Illinois University Computer Science students take on a median of $25,209 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,808. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted. More on Northern Illinois University
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Rasmussen College Illinois came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Based in Rockford, IL, Rasmussen College Illinois is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,581. Graduates carry a median of $28,798 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,080 ten years after entry. Set against $28,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Rasmussen College Illinois profile
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Depaul University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,405. Typical Computer Science student debt is $25,310. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,751 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University has an acceptance rate of 76%. Read the full report on Depaul University
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Lewis University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Lewis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Romeoville, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. The median Computer Science program debt is $24,838. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,099. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants. Get the full Lewis University report
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Loyola University Chicago placed #16 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Illinois. Set in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Loyola University Chicago Computer Science students take on a median of $23,521 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,530 ten years after entry. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Loyola University Chicago
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Northwestern University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical Computer Science student debt is $16,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $89,363. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University has an acceptance rate of 8%. Read the full report on Northwestern University
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Bradley University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Based in Peoria, IL, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Typical Computer Science student debt is $26,380. Bradley University alumni report median earnings of $66,852 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Bradley University
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Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #19 spot for value in Illinois this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,202. Typical Computer Science student debt is $26,774. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,592 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. See the full Illinois Institute Of Technology profile
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University Of Chicago came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their Computer Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $91,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago has an acceptance rate of 4%. See the full University Of Chicago profile
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Dominican University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Based in River Forest, IL, Dominican University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete their Computer Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,327. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. More on Dominican University
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Saint Xavier University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Saint Xavier University alumni report median earnings of $58,656 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted. See the full Saint Xavier University profile
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Roosevelt University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Chicago, IL, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,315. Roosevelt University Computer Science students take on a median of $23,879 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,712. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Roosevelt University
Request InformationMidwestern University Downers Grove offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Read more about Midwestern University Downers Grove
Request InformationAugustana College Illinois ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Get the full Augustana College Illinois report
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Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Midwest College Of Oriental Medicine Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. See the full Midwest College Of Oriental Medicine Chicago profile
Request InformationUniversity Of Spa And Cosmetology Arts ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read more about University Of Spa And Cosmetology Arts
Request InformationEstelle Skin Care And Spa Institute ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read the full report on Estelle Skin Care And Spa Institute
Request InformationSauk Valley Community College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. See the full Sauk Valley Community College profile
Request InformationShawnee Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read more about Shawnee Community College
Request InformationUniversity Of Illinois University Administration came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Illinois University Administration
Request InformationTricoci University Of Beauty Culture Rockford came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. See the full Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Rockford profile
Request InformationAurora University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read more about Aurora University
Request InformationMethodist College placed #34 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Illinois. Get the full Methodist College report
Request InformationIllinois College Of Optometry came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. See the full Illinois College Of Optometry profile
Request InformationMillikin University placed #36 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Illinois. See the full Millikin University profile
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Rockford College
Rockford College placed #37 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Illinois. More on Rockford College
Request InformationSaint Anthony College Of Nursing placed #38 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Illinois. See the full Saint Anthony College Of Nursing profile
Request InformationCity Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #39 spot for value in Illinois this year. Read more about City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Request InformationChamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois landed the #40 spot for value in Illinois this year. Read the full report on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
Request InformationStellar Career College landed the #41 spot for value in Illinois this year. More on Stellar Career College
Request InformationEti School Of Skilled Trades came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. More on Eti School Of Skilled Trades
Request InformationGarrett Evangelical Theological Seminary placed #43 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Illinois. Read more about Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
Request InformationPccti It And Healthcare landed the #44 spot for value in Illinois this year. See the full Pccti It And Healthcare profile
Request InformationNorthshore University Healthsystem School Of Nurse Anesthesia offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read more about Northshore University Healthsystem School Of Nurse Anesthesia
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Illinois College
Illinois College placed #46 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Illinois. See the full Illinois College profile
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Monmouth College
Monmouth College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. See the full Monmouth College profile
Request InformationNational University Of Health Sciences placed #48 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Illinois. Get the full National University Of Health Sciences report
Request InformationNorthern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #49 spot for value in Illinois this year. More on Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
Request InformationGreenville College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read the full report on Greenville College
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Computer Science Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 23 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 240 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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