2026 Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in computer science. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 277 computer science degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $99,981. Students borrow a median of $14,600 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in computer science from Northwestern University

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for computer science. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 1,555 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $135,600. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the computer science program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in computer science, ranking #3. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 362 computer science degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer science degree from University Of Chicago earn around $126,748 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. More information about a degree in computer science from University Of Chicago

4

Milwaukee School Of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI

Students looking for a strong computer science program will find one at Milwaukee School Of Engineering, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Milwaukee School Of Engineering awarded about 45 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $72,677 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete this degree. See the full computer science program report for Milwaukee School Of Engineering

5

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 691 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $94,786 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,375. Get the full computer science details for Purdue University Main Campus

6

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford placed #6 among the best computer science schools. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 168 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $49,700 early in their careers. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $24,177 in student loans. Read more about the computer science program at Miami University Oxford

7

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology
Terre Haute, IN

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology earned the #7 position for computer science this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology graduates 78% of students within six years. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology awarded about 95 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology generally make around $100,294. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. See the full computer science program report for Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology

8

Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University placed #8 among the best computer science schools. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. Denison University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Denison University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Denison University generally make around $39,797. Typical student debt for the program is $25,360. Get the full computer science details for Denison University

9

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago placed #9 among the best computer science schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 13 computer science degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Computer Science graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. Read more about the computer science program at Loyola University Chicago

10

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #10 for computer science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bloomington. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 14 computer science degrees were awarded at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Illinois Wesleyan University earn around $50,808 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Get the full computer science details for Illinois Wesleyan University

11

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #11 position for computer science this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 510 computer science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $89,963 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $19,087 in student loans. Read more about the computer science program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

12

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton came in at #12 for computer science this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. About 80% of students finish within six years. University Of Dayton awarded about 275 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from University Of Dayton earn around $74,052 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full computer science program report for University Of Dayton

13

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. About 62% of students finish within six years. Ball State University awarded about 41 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Typical student debt for the program is $24,518. Get the full computer science details for Ball State University

14

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cleveland. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 176 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Case Western Reserve University earn around $95,688 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,391. Read more about the computer science program at Case Western Reserve University

15

The College Of Wooster
Wooster, OH

The College Of Wooster placed #15 among the best computer science schools. Set in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit institution. The College Of Wooster graduates 74% of students within six years. About 25 computer science degrees were awarded at The College Of Wooster in the most recent year. Computer Science graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,936. More information about a degree in computer science from The College Of Wooster

16

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #16 spot for computer science this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 469 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $77,909 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,417. More information about a degree in computer science from Indiana University Bloomington

17

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #17 position for computer science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 186 computer science degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $81,363 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. See the full computer science program report for Illinois State University

18

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois placed #18 among the best computer science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $81,470. Typical student debt for the program is $23,292. Read more about the computer science program at Wheaton College Illinois

19

Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University came in at #19 for computer science this year. Located in the city of Appleton, Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 14 computer science degrees were awarded at Lawrence University in the most recent year. Lawrence University graduates carry a median of $15,699 in student loans. More information about a degree in computer science from Lawrence University

20

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best computer science schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates 75% of students within six years. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 504 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $89,577. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full computer science program report for Illinois Institute Of Technology

21

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University earned the #21 position for computer science this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 100 computer science degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Michigan Technological University earn around $69,910 in the first couple years of their career. Michigan Technological University graduates carry a median of $24,763 in student loans. More information about a degree in computer science from Michigan Technological University

22

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #22 position for computer science this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 97 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $76,106. Students borrow a median of $21,745 to complete this degree. See the full computer science program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

23

Ohio Northern University
Ada, OH

Ohio Northern University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. Located in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Ohio Northern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Ohio Northern University earn around $69,046 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio Northern University graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Read more about the computer science program at Ohio Northern University

24

Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University came in at #24 for computer science this year. Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Wittenberg University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $40,093 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in computer science from Wittenberg University

25

Knox College
Galesburg, IL

Knox College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Galesburg. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Knox College awarded about 25 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Knox College earn around $27,822 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,673. See the full computer science program report for Knox College