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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Computer Programming Schools in Illinois

2 Colleges in the United States
802 Computer Programming Degrees Awarded
$49,202 Avg Early-Career Salary

Computer Programming is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for computer programming students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Computer Programming in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the computer programming degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Computer Programming

1

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for computer programming. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Chicago awarded about 69 computer programming degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer programming degree from University Of Chicago earn around $105,265 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. See the full computer programming program report for University Of Chicago

2
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in computer programming, ranking #2. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Depaul University awarded about 270 computer programming degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $83,432. Students borrow a median of $25,497 to complete this degree. Get the full computer programming details for Depaul University

3

Olivet Nazarene University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in computer programming, ranking #3. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Olivet Nazarene University graduates 61% of students within six years. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 11 computer programming degrees in the most recent data year. Computer Programming graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $48,505 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,797. Read more about the computer programming program at Olivet Nazarene University

4
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. College Of Dupage awarded about 208 computer programming degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Typical student debt for the program is $7,812. More information about a degree in computer programming from College Of Dupage

5

Joliet Junior College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in computer programming, ranking #5. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. There were roughly 23 computer programming students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer programming program make about $40,118 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in computer programming from Joliet Junior College

6
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College placed #6 among the best computer programming schools. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. About 17 computer programming degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. More information about a degree in computer programming from Harper College

7

Moraine Valley Community College landed the #7 spot for computer programming this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Palos Hills. There were roughly 51 computer programming students who graduated with this degree at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer programming degree from Moraine Valley Community College earn around $43,844 in the first couple years of their career. Moraine Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Get the full computer programming details for Moraine Valley Community College

8
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College earned the #8 position for computer programming this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Oakton Community College awarded about 17 computer programming degrees in the most recent data year. Computer Programming graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,750. See the full computer programming program report for Oakton Community College

9
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College earned the #9 position for computer programming this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mattoon. There were roughly 27 computer programming students who graduated with this degree at Lake Land College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. More information about a degree in computer programming from Lake Land College

10
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College earned the #10 position for computer programming this year. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. Parkland College awarded about 49 computer programming degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer programming program make about $40,409 in their early career. Parkland College graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Get the full computer programming details for Parkland College

11

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #11 position for computer programming this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 15 computer programming degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College in the most recent year. Computer Programming graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete this degree. See the full computer programming program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College

12

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #12 for computer programming this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. About 33 computer programming degrees were awarded at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent year. Computer Programming graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in computer programming from Southwestern Illinois College

13

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best computer programming schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 12 computer programming degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent year. Graduates of the computer programming program make about $33,960 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,533. See the full computer programming program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 35 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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