Compare 25 Computer Science. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $83,928.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Computer Science tells a different story. Across 25 programs in Illinois, earnings range from $62,051 to $175,145—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Chicago's Computer Science program leads with graduates earning $175,145, followed by UIUC at $143,775. The state average sits at $83,928, yet these top programs demonstrate how specific departmental strength matters more than institutional prestige when evaluating career outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Chicago graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 1.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.09, graduates can clear their loans with minimal impact on their budget.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of ChicagoPrivate | $175,145 | 93 | $15,000 | Excellent | $33,297 | Excellent |
| #2 | $143,775 | 291 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Excellent | |
| #3 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $130,650 | 94 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Excellent |
| #4 | $103,119 | 71 | $25,000 | Excellent | $36,438 | Good | |
| #5 | $98,768 | 258 | $16,704 | Excellent | $24,323 | Good | |
| #6 | Knox CollegePrivate | $95,399 | 20 | $27,000 | Excellent | $28,730 | Good |
| #7 | $89,443 | 53 | $20,482 | Excellent | $28,767 | Good | |
| #8 | North Central CollegePrivate | $89,255 | 26 | $24,500 | Excellent | $30,000 | Manageable |
| #9 | $89,026 | 76 | $20,500 | Excellent | $21,500 | Good | |
| #10 | $84,231 | 93 | $19,128 | Excellent | $13,450 | Excellent | |
| #11 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | $81,979 | 30 | $27,000 | Excellent | $41,405 | Manageable |
| #12 | $81,188 | 32 | $21,543 | Excellent | $19,500 | Good | |
| #13 | Dominican UniversityPrivate | $80,734 | 17 | $24,411 | Excellent | $19,865 | Good |
| #14 | Lewis UniversityPrivate | $79,269 | 98 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,044 | Good |
| #15 | $79,236 | 134 | $22,162 | Excellent | $19,508 | Good | |
| #16 | $78,244 | 121 | $14,600 | Excellent | $13,578 | Excellent | |
| #17 | Elmhurst UniversityPrivate | $72,910 | 18 | $20,489 | Excellent | $27,470 | Manageable |
| #18 | Augustana CollegePrivate | $68,248 | 22 | $27,000 | Good | $37,219 | Challenging |
| #19 | Benedictine UniversityPrivate | $62,235 | 16 | $22,500 | Excellent | $22,900 | Manageable |
| #20 | Roosevelt UniversityPrivate | $62,051 | 28 | $22,000 | Excellent | $27,213 | Challenging |
| #21 | Wheaton CollegePrivate | $61,516 | 15 | $23,250 | Good | $35,000 | Challenging |
| #22 | Aurora UniversityPrivate | $51,605 | 23 | $20,318 | Good | $19,500 | Challenging |
| #23 | Lake Forest CollegePrivate | $48,587 | 11 | $26,158 | Manageable | $35,000 | High |
| #24 | Saint Xavier UniversityPrivate | $45,889 | 24 | $22,223 | Manageable | $20,742 | High |
| #25 | $45,696 | 41 | $18,618 | Good | $13,991 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
