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.
#1
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$14,860/yr
Median Earnings
$91,885
Grad Rate
95%
Computer Science Share
9.2%
#2
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Net Price
$29,167/yr
Median Earnings
$89,363
Grad Rate
96%
Computer Science Share
10.1%
#3
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$18,425/yr
Median Earnings
$82,592
Grad Rate
74%
Computer Science Share
27.5%
#4
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
Net Price
$14,355/yr
Median Earnings
$81,054
Grad Rate
85%
Computer Science Share
7.8%
#5
Bradley University
Peoria, IL
Net Price
$22,719/yr
Median Earnings
$66,852
Grad Rate
74%
Computer Science Share
11.8%
#6
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL
Net Price
$28,199/yr
Median Earnings
$70,871
Grad Rate
78%
Computer Science Share
4.1%
#7
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL
Net Price
$26,975/yr
Median Earnings
$63,756
Grad Rate
86%
Computer Science Share
3.1%
#8
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$30,902/yr
Median Earnings
$68,751
Grad Rate
69%
Computer Science Share
10.9%
#9
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
Net Price
$17,028/yr
Median Earnings
$66,099
Grad Rate
65%
Computer Science Share
14.5%
#10
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$36,079/yr
Median Earnings
$71,530
Grad Rate
75%
Computer Science Share
2.5%
#11
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL
Net Price
$22,736/yr
Median Earnings
$62,971
Grad Rate
76%
Computer Science Share
3.0%
#12
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$10,974/yr
Median Earnings
$68,740
Grad Rate
61%
Computer Science Share
9.9%
#13
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
Net Price
$28,673/yr
Median Earnings
$61,825
Grad Rate
74%
Computer Science Share
4.1%
#14
University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, IL
Net Price
$9,833/yr
Median Earnings
$57,103
Grad Rate
57%
Computer Science Share
18.1%
#15
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
Net Price
$24,595/yr
Median Earnings
$54,820
Grad Rate
68%
Computer Science Share
11.1%
#16
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Net Price
$19,398/yr
Median Earnings
$62,117
Grad Rate
65%
Computer Science Share
5.5%
#17
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL
Net Price
$24,185/yr
Median Earnings
$61,462
Grad Rate
68%
Computer Science Share
4.1%
#18
North Central College
Naperville, IL
Net Price
$21,044/yr
Median Earnings
$60,123
Grad Rate
68%
Computer Science Share
3.8%
#19
University of St Francis
Joliet, IL
Net Price
$13,006/yr
Median Earnings
$63,926
Grad Rate
66%
Computer Science Share
1.9%
#20
DeVry University-Illinois
Lisle, IL
Net Price
$30,770/yr
Median Earnings
$45,987
Grad Rate
37%
Computer Science Share
33.6%
#21
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
Net Price
$11,745/yr
Median Earnings
$60,327
Grad Rate
59%
Computer Science Share
5.1%
#22
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$10,970/yr
Median Earnings
$58,656
Grad Rate
58%
Computer Science Share
4.8%
#23
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
Net Price
$18,838/yr
Median Earnings
$58,709
Grad Rate
59%
Computer Science Share
2.7%
#24
McKendree University
Lebanon, IL
Net Price
$24,717/yr
Median Earnings
$58,572
Grad Rate
57%
Computer Science Share
3.9%
#25
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL
Net Price
$20,729/yr
Median Earnings
$53,213
Grad Rate
61%
Computer Science Share
4.6%
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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