Best Computer Science Programs in Illinois (2026)
If you're choosing a Computer Science program in Illinois, the right school depends as much on cost and graduation rate as it does on rankings. The schools below are ranked by a combination of CS program strength, graduate earnings, and net price — using federal data, not marketing.
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#1
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Net Price
$34,420/yr
Median Earnings
$104,255
Grad Rate
96%
Computer Science Share
10.5%
#2
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$16,776/yr
Median Earnings
$103,872
Grad Rate
95%
Computer Science Share
8.3%
#3
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$22,443/yr
Median Earnings
$90,804
Grad Rate
73%
Computer Science Share
28.7%
#4
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
Net Price
$13,042/yr
Median Earnings
$87,599
Grad Rate
86%
Computer Science Share
9.7%
#5
Bradley University
Peoria, IL
Net Price
$22,469/yr
Median Earnings
$76,013
Grad Rate
75%
Computer Science Share
13.2%
#6
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$27,108/yr
Median Earnings
$75,602
Grad Rate
68%
Computer Science Share
10.7%
#7
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL
Net Price
$26,059/yr
Median Earnings
$68,390
Grad Rate
83%
Computer Science Share
3.3%
#8
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
Net Price
$24,987/yr
Median Earnings
$70,470
Grad Rate
75%
Computer Science Share
6.9%
#9
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$36,340/yr
Median Earnings
$78,431
Grad Rate
73%
Computer Science Share
2.8%
#10
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL
Net Price
$27,863/yr
Median Earnings
$76,193
Grad Rate
74%
Computer Science Share
3.0%
#11
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$9,540/yr
Median Earnings
$73,666
Grad Rate
62%
Computer Science Share
11.9%
#12
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL
Net Price
$21,153/yr
Median Earnings
$67,144
Grad Rate
73%
Computer Science Share
5.9%
#13
University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, IL
Net Price
$7,528/yr
Median Earnings
$64,479
Grad Rate
53%
Computer Science Share
22.0%
#14
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL
Net Price
$23,165/yr
Median Earnings
$67,398
Grad Rate
67%
Computer Science Share
5.9%
#15
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Net Price
$17,829/yr
Median Earnings
$67,557
Grad Rate
66%
Computer Science Share
4.8%
#16
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
Net Price
$19,292/yr
Median Earnings
$56,244
Grad Rate
70%
Computer Science Share
8.2%
#17
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
Net Price
$17,318/yr
Median Earnings
$59,389
Grad Rate
61%
Computer Science Share
12.1%
#18
University of St Francis
Joliet, IL
Net Price
$15,961/yr
Median Earnings
$69,137
Grad Rate
65%
Computer Science Share
1.6%
#19
North Central College
Naperville, IL
Net Price
$22,836/yr
Median Earnings
$65,646
Grad Rate
63%
Computer Science Share
4.9%
#20
DeVry University-Illinois
Lisle, IL
Net Price
$35,665/yr
Median Earnings
$51,716
Grad Rate
38%
Computer Science Share
33.5%
#21
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
Net Price
$14,013/yr
Median Earnings
$66,693
Grad Rate
58%
Computer Science Share
6.7%
#22
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
Net Price
$19,385/yr
Median Earnings
$64,180
Grad Rate
60%
Computer Science Share
3.1%
#23
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$10,171/yr
Median Earnings
$64,661
Grad Rate
56%
Computer Science Share
5.4%
#24
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL
Net Price
$15,155/yr
Median Earnings
$60,507
Grad Rate
61%
Computer Science Share
3.7%
#25
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL
Net Price
$19,978/yr
Median Earnings
$58,865
Grad Rate
60%
Computer Science Share
3.8%
Why a Computer Science degree?
Computer Science remains one of the highest-ROI bachelor's degrees in the U.S. AI-related roles are growing 143% year-over-year, and the wage premium for CS skills is widening, not narrowing.
Common career paths: Software Engineer · Data Scientist · AI/ML Engineer · Cybersecurity Analyst · Product Manager
Typical starting salary range: $85,000–$135,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
Take the fit quiz →Other majors in Illinois
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