2023 Most Popular Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in Illinois
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which computer science program is right 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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Computer Science Degree Search has created the Most Popular Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 50 schools in Illinois to see which basic certificate programs were the most popular for computer science students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Moraine Valley Community College to be the most popular school for computer science students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Illinois. MVCC is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 265 basic certificates to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $8,118 in tuition and fees if they attend MVCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,334. Of those students who received their degree, 18% were women.
Online courses are available at MVCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent basic certificate programs at William Rainey Harper College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular computer science schools in Illinois. Located in Palatine, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 110 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend Harper College full time pay an average of $9,870 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,682. Of those students who received their degree, 17% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Harper College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 50 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Spoon River College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Canton, Illinois, the small public school awarded 82 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $10,830 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SRC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,910. Around 20% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SRC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Parkland College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in Illinois list. This medium-sized public school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 78 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $11,580 in tuition and fees if they attend Parkland College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,930. Around 14% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Parkland College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means DeVry University - Illinois is a great place for computer science students working on their basic certificate. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the large private for-profit school awarded 75 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
DeVry University - Illinois does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $15,032. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 27% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DeVry University - Illinois. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
College of DuPage did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. COD is a large public school situated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. It awarded 72 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $9,750 in tuition and fees if they attend COD full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,850. Around 18% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at COD. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #7, Prairie State College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their basic certificate. Located in Chicago Heights, Illinois, the small public school handed out 70 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend Prairie State College full time pay an average of $9,342 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,064. Of those students who received their degree, 23% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Prairie State College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #8, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their basic certificate. Wilbur Wright College is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 67 basic certificates to qualified students.
Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Wilbur Wright College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
College of Lake County came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school located in Grayslake, Illinois that handed out 39 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend College of Lake County full time pay an average of $9,632 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,824. Of those students who received their degree, 23% were women.
College of Lake County does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #10, Southwestern Illinois College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their basic certificate. SWIC is a medium-sized public school situated in Belleville, Illinois. It awarded 32 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Around 16% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SWIC. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Elgin Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate computer science programs. Elgin Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Elgin, Illinois that handed out 28 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend ECC full time pay an average of $7,140 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,516. Of those students who received their degree, 7% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ECC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Joliet Junior College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate computer science programs. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 28 students in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend Joliet Junior College full time pay an average of $12,570 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,410. Of those students who received their degree, 11% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Joliet Junior College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Rock Valley College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate computer science programs. Rock Valley College is a medium-sized public school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 25 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend Rock Valley College full time pay an average of $8,924 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,564. Around 12% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Rock Valley College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
Carl Sandburg College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate computer science programs. This small public school is located in Galesburg, Illinois, and it awarded 22 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend Carl Sandburg College full time pay an average of $7,860 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,760. Around 9% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Carl Sandburg College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.
Oakton Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in Illinois list. This medium-sized public school is located in Des Plaines, Illinois, and it awarded 21 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $10,446 in tuition and fees if they attend Oakton Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,462. Around 29% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Oakton Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #16, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their basic certificate. Waubonsee is a medium-sized public school situated in Sugar Grove, Illinois. It awarded 20 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,271 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Waubonsee. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,076. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Waubonsee does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #17, Heartland Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their basic certificate. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 18 students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,810 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Heartland Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,550. Around 17% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Heartland Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
McHenry County College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. MCC is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 basic certificates to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $11,608 in tuition and fees if they attend MCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,449. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at MCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the small public school handed out 16 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.
Around 13% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Richard J Daley College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.
Rend Lake College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Ina, Illinois, the small public school awarded 14 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend Rend Lake College full time pay an average of $6,000 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,750.
One thing to take note of is that Rend Lake College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Kishwaukee College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate computer science programs. Kishwaukee College is a public institution located in Malta, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kishwaukee College is $9,390. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,800. Of those students who received their degree, 31% were women.
Online courses are available at Kishwaukee College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. Malcolm X College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Malcolm X College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Shawnee Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Shawnee Community College is a small public school situated in Ullin, Illinois. It awarded 11 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend Shawnee Community College full time pay an average of $6,090 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,720. Of those students who received their degree, 9% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Shawnee Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 56% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Kankakee Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #24 on the list. Kankakee, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 10 students in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend Kankakee Community College full time pay an average of $13,200 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $25,560. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Kankakee Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.
Illinois Central College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate computer science programs. Illinois Central College is a medium-sized public school located in East Peoria, Illinois that handed out 9 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at ICC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Most Popular Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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