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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Computer Science in Illinois

24 Ranked Colleges
1,809 Degrees Awarded
$19,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor's in Illinois

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois” ranking.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered a degree in computer science. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality computer science programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the computer science program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Computer Science Schools

The computer science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students.

Top 24 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Computer Science in Illinois

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 291 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $15,880 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students per year to attend UIUC.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#2

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Illinois State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Illinois State is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 53 bachelors’s 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. It costs about $20,895 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students per year to attend Illinois State University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Illinois State University

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #3 spot on the list. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 258 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $13,312 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 UIC

#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 #4 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s computer science degrees to 76 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUE, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $14,423 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

Read more about Computer Science at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Springfield. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school handed out 93 degrees to qualified bachelors’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIS, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIS is $12,477 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

Read full report on Computer Science at University of Illinois at Springfield

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 134 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NIU is $18,259 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

Read more about Computer Science at NIU

#20 in overall quality

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 121 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern Illinois University, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $15,843 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Computer Science Report

#8

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Governors State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. University Park, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s computer science degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

GSU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend GSU is $12,077 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students.

Read more about Computer Science at Governors State University

#9

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

Eastern Illinois University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 bachelors’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

EIU also made our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for EIU is $14,607 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students.

Full EIU Computer Science Report

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 32 degrees to qualified bachelors’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students list, SIUC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $16,945 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Read more about Computer Science at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#11

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Aurora University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Aurora, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

Aurora also took the #19 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora University is $17,215 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Aurora

#12

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

Lewis University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and it awarded 98 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lewis, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lewis University is $18,664 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Lewis

#13

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 ranking, coming in at #13. Bradley is a medium-sized school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 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 yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $25,634 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Bradley University

#14

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

McKendree University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #14. McKendree University 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. The yearly cost to attend McKendree University is $19,844 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

Read full report on Computer Science at McKendree University

#15

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 15 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Illinois, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $25,358 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

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. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Computer Science at Wheaton College Illinois

#16

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

Dominican University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. River Forest, 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 17 students in 2019-2020.

Dominican U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican U is $19,268 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

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.

Full Dominican University Computer Science Report

#17

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 18 degrees to qualified bachelors’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also took the #15 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst is $21,485 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Elmhurst

#18

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Saint Xavier University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. SXU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 24 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SXU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SXU is $14,528 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

Full Saint Xavier University Computer Science Report

#19

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Roosevelt University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. Roosevelt is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 28 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

Roosevelt also took the #24 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Roosevelt University is $22,749 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

Read more about Computer Science at Roosevelt University

#20

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, North Central College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. Located in Naperville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

North Central did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend North Central is $24,786 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

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%.

Read full report on Computer Science at North Central

#21

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Augustana College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. Augustana is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Rock Island, Illinois. It awarded 22 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

Augustana did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Augustana College is $23,874 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Augustana College

#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois list. Chicago, 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 71 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $22,831 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students per year to attend Illinois Institute of Technology.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois Institute of Technology Computer Science Report

#23

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

University of Chicago landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 93 bachelors’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $27,315 for illinois bachelor’s degree computer science students per year to attend UChicago.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 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 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at UChicago

#23

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois ranking. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $24,664 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 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 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern Computer Science Report

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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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