2026 Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for 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. There were roughly 277 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $99,981 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,600 to complete this degree. Get the full computer science details for Northwestern University

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 1,555 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $135,600 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full computer science details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 362 computer science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from University Of Chicago earn around $126,748 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about the computer science program at University Of Chicago

4

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #4 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the top schools for computer science. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 13 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $58,568 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. More information about a degree in computer science from Loyola University Chicago

5

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 14 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Illinois Wesleyan University earn around $50,808 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,857. Read more about the computer science program at Illinois Wesleyan University

6

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 510 computer science degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent 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. More information about a degree in computer science from University Of Illinois At Chicago

7

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 186 computer science degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Computer Science graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $81,363 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. See the full computer science program report for Illinois State University

8

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #8 for computer science this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 16 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $81,470 early in their careers. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Get the full computer science details for Wheaton College Illinois

9

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #9 among the best computer science schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 504 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $89,577 in their early career. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in computer science from Illinois Institute Of Technology

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 97 computer science degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Computer Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $76,106 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $21,745 in student loans. Get the full computer science details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

11

Knox College
Galesburg, IL

Knox College earned the #11 position for computer science this year. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school 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. Computer Science graduates of Knox College earn a median of $27,822 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,673. See the full computer science program report for Knox College

12

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University landed the #12 spot for computer science this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Roughly 21% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 187 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Governors State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Governors State University earn around $52,115 in the first couple years of their career. Governors State University graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in computer science from Governors State University

13

Mckendree University
Lebanon, IL

Mckendree University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Mckendree University in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of $51,068 early in their careers. Mckendree University graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. More information about a degree in computer science from Mckendree University

14

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University came in at #14 for computer science this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 231 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $77,257 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,966 to complete this degree. Get the full computer science details for Northern Illinois University

15

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University earned the #15 position for computer science this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 81 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Bradley University earn around $66,457 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in computer science from Bradley University

16

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #16 among the best computer science schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 309 computer science degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $74,918. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in computer science from Lewis University

17

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #17 spot for computer science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 22% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 124 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $62,831. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Read more about the computer science program at Northeastern Illinois University

18

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #18 for computer science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Springfield. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 296 computer science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $85,117 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $30,301 in student loans. Get the full computer science details for University Of Illinois At Springfield

19

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois came in at #19 for computer science this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 73% of students finish within six years. About 14 computer science degrees were awarded at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Augustana College Illinois earn around $74,745 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full computer science program report for Augustana College Illinois

20

Chicago State University
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University earned the #20 position for computer science this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 16% of students finish within six years. About 64 computer science degrees were awarded at Chicago State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Typical student debt for the program is $43,322. See the full computer science program report for Chicago State University

21

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 67 computer science degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $70,053. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full computer science program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

22

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College came in at #22 for computer science this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 computer science degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer science degree from North Central College earn around $53,544 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,678 to complete this degree. See the full computer science program report for North Central College

23

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. Lake Forest College awarded about 13 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $48,587. Lake Forest College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the computer science program at Lake Forest College

24

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University landed the #24 spot for computer science this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Dominican University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full computer science program report for Dominican University

25

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #25 position for computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 25 computer science degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Computer Science graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,605 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in computer science from Aurora University