2026 Best General Computer Programming Schools in Illinois
General Computer Programming degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general computer programming programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general computer programming students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for General Computer Programming in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general computer programming education in Illinois.
Top Schools in General Computer Programming
Depaul University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general computer programming. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Depaul University awarded about 262 general computer programming degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general computer programming program make about $83,432 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,497 to complete this degree.
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Olivet Nazarene University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general computer programming schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. About 61% of students finish within six years. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 11 general computer programming degrees in the most recent data year. General Computer Programming graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $48,505 early in their careers. Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans.
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A rank of #3 makes Joliet Junior College one of the top schools for general computer programming. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Joliet Junior College awarded about 23 general computer programming degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general computer programming program make about $40,118 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong general computer programming program will find one at Harper College, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. There were roughly 17 general computer programming students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general computer programming program make about $44,523 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,963.
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Moraine Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. About 24 general computer programming degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general computer programming degree from Moraine Valley Community College earn around $43,844 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete this degree.
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Oakton Community College placed #6 among the best general computer programming schools. This large public university is located in the city of Des Plaines. There were roughly 11 general computer programming students who graduated with this degree at Oakton Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general computer programming program make about $48,838 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,750.
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Lake Land College earned the #7 position for general computer programming this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Lake Land College awarded about 25 general computer programming degrees in the most recent data year. General Computer Programming graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans.
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Parkland College earned the #8 position for general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 43 general computer programming degrees were awarded at Parkland College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. Parkland College graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general computer programming from Parkland College
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #9 position for general computer programming this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College awarded about 15 general computer programming degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general computer programming program make about $33,073 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,093.
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Southwestern Illinois College came in at #10 for general computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. There were roughly 13 general computer programming students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general computer programming degree from Southwestern Illinois College earn around $44,345 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general computer programming from Southwestern Illinois College
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #11 spot for general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 12 general computer programming degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general computer programming program make about $33,960 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,533.
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More General Computer Programming Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 30 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
