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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Computer Science (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

24 Ranked Colleges
1,809 Degrees Awarded
$13,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor's in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Computer Science is the 11th most popular major in the country with 53,722 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across Illinois, there were 3,177 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,809 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,319 and $24,183 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer a degree in computer science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent computer science programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the computer science program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 24 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Computer Science (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s computer science degrees to 94 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $1,866 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Northwestern Computer Science Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 93 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,712 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at UChicago

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 291 bachelors’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

UIUC also took the #3 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $5,477 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIUC.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at UIUC

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 258 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #4 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $10,648 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at University of Illinois at Chicago

#12 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 76 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also took the #12 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $8,055 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Computer Science at SIUE

#6

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Lewis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Romeoville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s computer science degrees to 98 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lewis has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lewis is $12,821 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lewis University Computer Science Report

#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s computer science degrees to 134 students in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend NIU is $15,281 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Computer Science at Northern Illinois University

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 93 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $9,771 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.

Full UIS Computer Science Report

#9

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Governors State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in University Park, Illinois, and it awarded 41 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k list, GSU has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Governors State University is $10,872 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer Science at GSU

#10

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Illinois State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 53 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $14,470 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Illinois State

#11

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Wheaton College Illinois is located in Wheaton, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 bachelors’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

Wheaton College Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,440 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Computer Science Report

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. SIUC is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 32 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k list, SIUC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $13,658 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SIUC Computer Science Report

#13

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Saint Xavier University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s computer science degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

SXU also made our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for SXU is $11,266 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Saint Xavier University Computer Science Report

#14

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

Eastern Illinois University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 1 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at EIU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend EIU is $12,350 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full EIU Computer Science Report

#15

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Aurora University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Aurora is located in Aurora, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 bachelors’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

Aurora did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,103 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Aurora University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Aurora University

#16

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

Bradley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Bradley University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 30 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley also took the #10 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley University is $17,205 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Bradley University

#17

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Elmhurst University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also made our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Elmhurst University is $16,903 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Elmhurst University

#18

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Augustana College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Augustana College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Rock Island, Illinois. It awarded 22 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Augustana has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Augustana is $20,355 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Augustana Computer Science Report

#7 in overall quality

Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois Tech is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 71 bachelors’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

Illinois Tech also made our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Institute of Technology is $17,222 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Computer Science at Illinois Institute of Technology

#20 in overall quality

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 121 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $14,816 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer Science at Northeastern Illinois University

#21

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

Dominican University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Dominican U has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dominican U is $17,060 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Computer Science at Dominican University

#22

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, McKendree University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. McKendree is a small school located in Lebanon, Illinois that handed out 9 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

McKendree not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,184 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend McKendree.

Read full report on Computer Science at McKendree

#23

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

North Central College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Naperville, Illinois, and it awarded 26 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

North Central not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Central is $18,889 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Central College Computer Science Report

#24

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Roosevelt is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 bachelors’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

Roosevelt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Roosevelt University is $20,398 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer Science at Roosevelt University

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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