Computer Science programs across the Midwest produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $45,889 to $175,145. Across 134 programs, graduates earn $4,132 higher than the national average for CS degrees, demonstrating how the region's strong tech sector and public universities create exceptional program outcomes.
Leading the list is University Of Chicago, achieving the highest program earnings at $175,145. Rose-Hulman Institute Of Technology follows at $157,625, while University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign rounds out the top three at $138,600—all significantly exceeding the national median earnings for software development careers.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of ChicagoPrivate | Chicago, IL | $178,068 Median Computer Science Earnings | -$1,264 | 4.5% | 95.9% |
| #2 | St. Louis, MO | $177,066 Median Computer Science Earnings | $1,716 | 12.1% | 94.3% | |
| #3 | Champaign, IL | $173,044 Median Computer Science Earnings | $2,038 | 42.4% | 85.1% | |
| #4 | Ann Arbor, MI | $167,249 Median Computer Science Earnings | $1,043 | 15.6% | 93.2% | |
| #5 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | Evanston, IL | $158,847 Median Computer Science Earnings | $1,764 | 7.7% | 95.1% |
| #6 | Cleveland, OH | $143,580 Median Computer Science Earnings | $19,025 | 36.5% | 87.2% | |
| #7 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | Notre Dame, IN | $142,970 Median Computer Science Earnings | $7,244 | 11.3% | 95.2% |
| #8 | Oberlin CollegePrivate | Oberlin, OH | $129,395 Median Computer Science Earnings | $18,774 | 34.2% | 80.9% |
| #9 | Terre Haute, IN | $123,753 Median Computer Science Earnings | $36,843 | 76.9% | 78.2% | |
| #10 | St Olaf CollegePrivate | Northfield, MN | $122,912 Median Computer Science Earnings | $10,404 | 48.3% | 84.0% |
| #11 | Depauw UniversityPrivate | Greencastle, IN | $120,076 Median Computer Science Earnings | $11,820 | 57.2% | 74.7% |
| #12 | Madison, WI | $119,655 Median Computer Science Earnings | $4,200 | 45.2% | 89.5% | |
| #13 | Columbus, OH | $118,833 Median Computer Science Earnings | $4,885 | 60.6% | 87.7% | |
| #14 | Kalamazoo CollegePrivate | Kalamazoo, MI | $117,826 Median Computer Science Earnings | $12,019 | 75.3% | 76.0% |
| #15 | Lincoln, NE | $116,221 Median Computer Science Earnings | $12,751 | 87.5% | 67.0% | |
| #16 | East Lansing, MI | $112,509 Median Computer Science Earnings | $7,068 | 84.8% | 80.7% | |
| #17 | Chicago, IL | $112,133 Median Computer Science Earnings | $12,964 | 54.9% | 75.2% | |
| #18 | West Lafayette, IN | $111,915 Median Computer Science Earnings | $5,098 | 49.9% | 83.1% | |
| #19 | Grinnell CollegePrivate | Grinnell, IA | $109,892 Median Computer Science Earnings | $9,970 | 14.5% | 88.1% |
| #20 | Cedarville UniversityPrivate | Cedarville, OH | $109,817 Median Computer Science Earnings | $18,987 | 65.3% | 72.5% |