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Cheapest Computer Engineering Colleges in Illinois

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

Northwestern University graduates earning $85,918 annually represent the peak outcome for Computer Engineering students in Illinois, though their program costs $27,143 net compared to University of Illinois Chicago's $12,313. The state's 11 programs serve a tech sector anchored by Chicago's finance and healthcare industries, where engineering talent supports everything from trading algorithms to medical device innovation. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with four schools under $17,000 net cost, while private institutions like Illinois Institute of Technology offer strong industry connections at $19,353 net despite a $51,763 sticker price.
11
Programs
$12,313 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$65,978
Avg. Program Earnings
66.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Computer Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
2 $13,696 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
3 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
4 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
5 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
6 $18,992 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
7 $19,353 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
8 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
9 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
10 $30,878 $17,488 36.9% 43.0%
11 $35,196 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Illinois Chicago the most affordable option?

UIC offers Computer Engineering at just $12,313 net cost while maintaining solid graduate outcomes with median earnings of $64,493. The program's 78.69% acceptance rate and Chicago location provide accessibility to both education and internship opportunities in the city's tech sector.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable programs?

Public universities show mixed results, with UI Urbana-Champaign leading at 84.90% graduation rate versus Southern Illinois Edwardsville at 55.00%. The pattern suggests that lower net costs don't guarantee completion, making program selection about more than just price.

Is the earnings gap between cheapest and most expensive programs significant?

Northwestern graduates earn $21,425 more annually than UIC graduates ($85,918 vs $64,493), though Northwestern costs $14,830 more per year in net price. The payback period for the higher investment extends roughly seven years based on salary differences alone.

Does Illinois offer good value compared to private alternatives?

Illinois public universities provide three of the four most affordable options, with net costs between $12,313 and $16,177. Private schools like Illinois Institute of Technology at $19,353 net offer competitive pricing for specialized engineering education, while maintaining strong industry partnerships in Chicago's tech ecosystem.

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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.