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Most Popular Computer Science Master's Degree Schools in Illinois

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2023 Most Popular Computer Science Master's Degree Schools in Illinois

25 Schools Ranked

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 Master's Degree Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 25 schools in Illinois to see which master's degree 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.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

910 Total Awards
$17,823 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to be the most popular school for computer science students who want to pursue a master’s degree in Illinois. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 910 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 41% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at UIUC. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#2

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
521 Total Awards
$18,341 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 25 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, DePaul University landed the # 2 spot on the list. DePaul University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 521 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 37% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at DePaul, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full DePaul University Report

#3

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, Illinois
392 Total Awards
$30,822 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois Institute of Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Illinois Institute of Technology is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 392 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.

Illinois Tech does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 42% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Illinois Institute of Technology Report

#4

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
285 Total Awards
$63,936 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 285 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 31% were women.

Read full report on University of Chicago

213 Total Awards
$17,277 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent master’s degree programs at University of Illinois at Chicago helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular computer science schools in Illinois. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 213 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 37% of those degree recipients were women.

UIC does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.

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#6

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois
174 Total Awards
$11,111 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree computer science programs. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small public school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 174 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at UIS. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#7

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
168 Total Awards
$56,567 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwestern University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 168 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 33% were women.

Northwestern does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 2% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Northwestern University

#8

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
118 Total Awards
$11,390 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern Illinois University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 118 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at NIU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 43% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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#9

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
101 Total Awards
$14,960 Average Tuition & Fees

Lewis University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Romeoville, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 101 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 27% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lewis does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 85% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Lewis University Report

#10

DeVry University - Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
91 Total Awards
$17,552 Average Tuition & Fees

DeVry University - Illinois ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. DeVry University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 91 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at DeVry University - Illinois. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on DeVry University - Illinois

#11

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
77 Total Awards
$8,320 Average Tuition & Fees

Governors State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. GSU is a public institution located in University Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 77 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that GSU does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 35% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

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#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
52 Total Awards
$12,182 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Western Illinois University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their master’s degree. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 52 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 33% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at WIU. In fact, around 71% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Western Illinois University Report

#13

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
32 Total Awards
$9,773 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Illinois State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their master’s degree. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 32 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 28% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Illinois State does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Illinois State University Report

#14

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, Illinois
27 Total Awards
$9,428 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 27 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.

Northeastern Illinois University does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Northeastern Illinois University

#15

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
27 Total Awards
$19,894 Average Tuition & Fees

Loyola University Chicago ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Loyola Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Loyola Chicago. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#16

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
20 Total Awards
$9,728 Average Tuition & Fees

Chicago State University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree computer science programs. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the small public school handed out 20 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at CSU. In fact, around 27% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Chicago State University

#16

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, Illinois
20 Total Awards
$9,316 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their master’s degree. This fairly large public school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 20 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.

SIUE does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#18

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
18 Total Awards
$17,400 Average Tuition & Fees

Bradley University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree computer science programs. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 18 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.

Bradley does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 95% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Bradley University

18 Total Awards
$16,162 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 18 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 28% were women.

SIUC does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 24% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#20

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
11 Total Awards
$32,800 Average Tuition & Fees

Elmhurst University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 11 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.

Elmhurst does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Elmhurst University Report

#21

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
10 Total Awards
$21,605 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, Roosevelt University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their master’s degree. Roosevelt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Roosevelt, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#22

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois
6 Total Awards
$15,450 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Xavier University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 6 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 33% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SXU does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 63% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Saint Xavier University Report

#23

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
4 Total Awards
$9,378 Average Tuition & Fees

Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 4 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Concordia University, Chicago does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 98% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#24

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
2 Total Awards
$20,413 Average Tuition & Fees

Dominican University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree computer science programs. River Forest, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Dominican U does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Dominican University Report

#24

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois
2 Total Awards

North Central College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in Naperville, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Central does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 70% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on North Central College

Most Popular Computer Science Master's Degree 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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