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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in Illinois

8 Colleges in the United States
$22,833 Avg Student Debt
$76,688 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Badge [General Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general computer engineering education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for general computer engineering in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $71,148. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in general computer engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $103,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Institute Of Technology earned it the #3 place for general computer engineering. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $81,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.

4

Bradley University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $26,380. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

5

Northwestern University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $16,616. General Computer Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Loyola University Chicago earned the #6 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $68,020. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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