College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois

21 Ranked Colleges
3,680 Degrees Awarded
$19,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 in Illinois” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 59,565 computer science students received their degree, making the major the 8th most popular in the country.

Across Illinois, there were 3,680 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in computer science. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality computer science programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the computer science program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Computer Science Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Computer Science Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois computer science students.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science in Illinois

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #1 on our 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 901 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,321 for illinois computer science students per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 501 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $13,214 for illinois computer science students per year to attend UIC.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 University of Illinois at Chicago

3

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 80 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

SIUE also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $14,462 for illinois computer science students.

Full SIUE Computer Science Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 225 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UIS also took the #12 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $12,034 for Illinois Computer Science students per year to attend UIS.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.

Full UIS Computer Science Report

5
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 50 diplomas to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $20,830 for illinois computer science students.

The undergrad 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 Illinois State

6

Northern Illinois University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 170 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

NIU also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Illinois University is $13,956 for illinois computer science students.

Full NIU Computer Science Report

7

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois list. SIUC is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 49 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our illinois computer science students list, SIUC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $16,285 for illinois computer science students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Computer Science at SIUC

8
GSU crest
Governors State University
University Park, Illinois

Governors State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois ranking, coming in at #8. University Park, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 120 students in 2020-2021.

GSU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend GSU is $10,436 for Illinois Computer Science students.

The undergraduate 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 GSU

9

With a ranking of #9, Northeastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois list. Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 133 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our illinois computer science students list, Northeastern Illinois University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $14,590 for illinois computer science students.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Computer Science Report

10
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois list. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 11 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our illinois computer science students list, Loyola Chicago has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola University Chicago is $36,434 for illinois computer science students.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Loyola University Chicago

11
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois ranking. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Bradley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley is $25,196 for Illinois Computer Science students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad 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

12
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University landed the #12 spot on the 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois ranking. Lewis University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Romeoville, Illinois. It awarded 160 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Lewis also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $19,074 for illinois computer science students per year to attend Lewis.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lewis Computer Science Report

13

Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois list. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 316 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois Tech also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $23,772 for illinois computer science students per year to attend Illinois Institute of Technology.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois Institute of Technology Computer Science Report

14
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois list. Aurora, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Aurora, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Aurora University is $16,994 for Illinois Computer Science students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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

15
Roosevelt crest
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 26 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Roosevelt also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Roosevelt is $21,678 for illinois computer science students.

Read full report on Computer Science at Roosevelt

16
Dominican U crest
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #16, Dominican University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois list. Dominican U is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

Dominican U also took the #16 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dominican University is $18,645 for Illinois Computer Science students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Computer Science at Dominican University

17
North Central crest
North Central College
Naperville, Illinois

North Central College landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois ranking. North Central College is located in Naperville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

North Central did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $25,199 for illinois computer science students per year to attend North Central College.

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

Full North Central College Computer Science Report

18
SXU crest
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Saint Xavier University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois list. SXU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 15 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

SXU also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend SXU is $13,024 for Illinois Computer Science students.

Read more about Computer Science at Saint Xavier University

19
Augustana crest
Augustana College
Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois list. Augustana College is a small school located in Rock Island, Illinois that handed out 21 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Augustana, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana is $23,489 for illinois computer science students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Augustana College Computer Science Report

20
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University landed the #20 spot on the 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois ranking. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 227 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $23,279 for illinois computer science students.

The low undergrad 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 99%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate 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.

Read more about Computer Science at Northwestern University

21
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 337 students in 2020-2021.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $28,517 for illinois computer science students.

With a undergrad 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 99%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at University of Chicago

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options