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Cheapest Computer and Information Sciences Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Computer and Information Sciences programs in Illinois show striking cost differences, with public options starting at $9,477 compared to private schools reaching $37,844. Governors State University delivers the lowest net price at $9,477, while graduates from Illinois State University command median earnings of $54,996. The state's tech sector centers around Chicago's financial technology companies and enterprise software firms, creating steady demand for general computing graduates. Western Illinois University graduates earn $48,667 with a net cost of just $11,592, representing strong return on investment. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign maintains an 84.90% graduation rate despite higher selectivity at 44.82% acceptance. Saint Xavier University in Chicago costs $12,093 but shows lower earnings at $35,274, reflecting the complex relationship between location, cost, and outcomes. Illinois MAP Grants help reduce costs for qualifying students across both public and private institutions.
30
Programs
$9,477 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$48,656
Avg. Program Earnings
54.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

30 Computer and Information Sciences, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $9,477 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
2 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
3 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
4 $13,696 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
5 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
6 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
7 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
8 $16,157 $12,345 36.9% 92.1%
9 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
10 $16,284 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
11 $16,381 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
12 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
13 $17,082 $13,288 27.7%
14 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
15 $18,996 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
16 $19,353 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
17 $20,152 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
18 $21,055 $26,100 23.0%
19 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
20 $21,386 $12,320 45.7% 91.3%
21 $21,539 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
22 $22,048 $28,400 40.6% 86.7%
23 $23,066 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%
24 $24,190 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
25 $25,027 $30,910 53.3% 58.2%
26 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
27 $27,499 $54,202 70.4% 59.7%
28 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
29 $30,878 $17,488 36.9% 43.0%
30 $35,196 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $28,000 cost difference between cheapest and most expensive programs?

Private nonprofit schools like Saint Xavier and Dominican charge full tuition around $37,000 annually, while public universities offer in-state rates starting at $11,320. Net prices after financial aid narrow this gap significantly. Governors State's $9,477 net cost versus Saint Xavier's $12,093 shows how aid packages can make private schools competitive with public options.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Illinois?

Higher-cost programs often show better completion rates, with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leading at 84.90% graduation. Trinity Christian College achieves 63.90% completion at $16,381 net cost. However, some affordable public options like Southern Illinois Edwardsville reach 55.00% graduation rates at just $13,696 net price.

Where do Illinois computer science graduates find the best earning potential?

Illinois State University graduates earn the highest median at $54,996, followed closely by Southern Illinois Edwardsville at $48,935. Western Illinois University also produces strong earners at $48,667 despite its rural location. Chicago-area schools like Saint Xavier show lower earnings at $35,274, possibly reflecting different career paths or industry focus.

Does attending University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign justify the higher selectivity?

UIUC accepts only 44.82% of applicants but delivers an strong 84.90% graduation rate at a $15,201 net cost. The school's engineering reputation and alumni network in tech create strong career prospects. Students who gain admission benefit from research opportunities and connections to major technology companies recruiting in Illinois.

Is student debt manageable across Illinois computer science programs?

Debt levels range from $15,000 at Governors State to $27,000 at Southern Illinois Carbondale, with most programs keeping borrowing under $25,000. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign maintains relatively low debt at $19,199 despite its reputation. These amounts remain reasonable given starting salaries in Illinois technology markets, especially around Chicago's financial district.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.