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Cheapest Computer Science Colleges in Illinois

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

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Computer Science graduates earn $101,592 annually, nearly double the income of peers at other Illinois schools, despite a net cost of $15,201. This earning power reflects the program's strength and Chicago's finance sector demand for skilled programmers. Millikin University offers the state's lowest net price at $8,837, making quality Computer Science education accessible. Illinois public universities generally cost between $8,916 and $16,177 after aid, while private schools range from $8,837 to $16,284. The state's MAP Grant reduces costs for qualifying students. Chicago serves as the regional tech center, with major employers like CME Group, Abbott, and Boeing requiring computer science talent. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville accepts 97.51% of applicants, providing broad access to Computer Science education. These 15 programs span from small liberal arts colleges to major research universities, offering paths into Illinois's $80 billion technology economy.
40
Programs
$8,837 – $29,550
Net Price Range
$66,170
Avg. Program Earnings
59.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

40 Computer Science Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
2 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
3 $9,477 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
4 $10,133 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
5 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
6 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
7 $12,437 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%
8 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
9 $13,550 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
10 $13,696 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
11 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
12 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
13 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
14 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
15 $16,284 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
16 $16,381 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
17 $17,324 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
18 $17,945 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
19 $18,034 $43,520 60.1% 90.7%
20 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
21 $18,470 $13,546 40.0%
22 $18,967 $66,939 94.9% 5.4%
23 $18,992 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
24 $18,996 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
25 $19,353 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
26 $20,152 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
27 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
28 $21,539 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
29 $21,814 $26,758 52.4% 64.4%
30 $23,033 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
31 $23,066 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%
32 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
33 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
34 $24,190 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
35 $24,875 $55,587 67.5% 73.3%
36 $26,984 $43,930 86.6% 88.4%
37 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
38 $27,499 $54,202 70.4% 59.7%
39 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
40 $29,550 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge salary difference between Computer Science programs in Illinois?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn $101,592, while Governors State University graduates start at $45,696. This $55,896 gap reflects program reputation, research opportunities, and alumni networks. UIUC's engineering college attracts top tech companies for recruitment, while smaller programs may focus more on local or regional employment markets.

How do Illinois public universities compare in Computer Science costs?

Public university net costs range from $8,916 at University of Illinois Springfield to $16,177 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Most fall between $12,000 and $14,000 annually. The MAP Grant can reduce these costs further for Illinois residents with family incomes under $61,202.

Is it harder to get into the highest-earning Computer Science program?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign accepts 44.82% of applicants and produces the highest-earning graduates at $101,592. Meanwhile, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville accepts 97.51% of students and graduates earn $67,240. The most selective programs typically offer stronger industry connections and research opportunities.

Does Chicago offer affordable Computer Science options?

Chicago State University costs $10,133 net with a 16.90% graduation rate, while University of Illinois Chicago costs $12,313 net with graduates earning $68,153. Saint Xavier University and Northeastern Illinois University provide additional Chicago-area options. These schools benefit from proximity to major tech employers and internship opportunities.

Where can students find the best graduation rates for Computer Science in Illinois?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with 84.90% of students graduating, followed by Augustana College at 79.20%. Among more affordable options, Dominican University achieves 62.40% graduation rates at $15,113 net cost. Several schools show concerning rates below 20%, requiring careful consideration of student support services.

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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.