2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,087 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $89,963 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,087 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

2

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Governors State University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $52,115. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.

3

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Springfield one of the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $30,301 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $85,117. Set against $30,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $135,600. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

5

Chicago State University
Chicago, IL

A rank of #5 makes Chicago State University one of the best values for computer science. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $43,322. Computer Science graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.

6

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #6 among the best values for computer science. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,745 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $76,106 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,745 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

7

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #7 spot for computer science value this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,966 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $77,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

8

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #8 for value in computer science this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $62,831 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.

9

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $74,745. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

10

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University landed the #10 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $45,889 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.

11

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University placed #11 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #12 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $126,748. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

13

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #13 spot for computer science value this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $70,053. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

14

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #14 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,250. Computer Science graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $74,918 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.

15

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #15 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $81,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

16

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #16 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $89,577. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.

17

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #17 spot for computer science value this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Students borrow a median of $25,625 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $51,605. Set against $25,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

18

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University earned the #18 position for value in computer science this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $41,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

19

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,726. Students borrow a median of $26,678 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $53,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

20

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University came in at #20 for value in computer science this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $66,457. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.

21

Mckendree University
Lebanon, IL

Mckendree University placed #21 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,740. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $24,362. Early-career computer science graduates make about $51,068. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mckendree University admits about 72% of applicants.

22

Knox College
Galesburg, IL

Knox College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,903 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Knox College generally make around $27,822. That is a strong return on a $25,673 median debt. Knox College admits about 71% of applicants.

23

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois earned the #23 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $81,470. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

24

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University landed the #24 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,600. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $99,981. That is a strong return on a $14,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

25

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,402. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $48,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.