2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for computer science students.
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2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Science Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for computer science in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,087. Early-career computer science graduates make about $89,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $30,301. Early-career computer science graduates make about $85,117. That is a strong return on a $30,301 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $52,115. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for computer science. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $20,500. Computer Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $135,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #5 place for computer science. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $126,748. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Saint Xavier University placed #6 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $45,889. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Dominican University earned the #7 position for value in computer science this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Chicago State University came in at #8 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $43,322. Early-career computer science graduates make about $47,477. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $22,966 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $77,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #10 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $62,831 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #11 spot for computer science value this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $70,053. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,745 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $76,106 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,745 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Lewis University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $74,918. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #14 for value in computer science this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $89,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Illinois State University placed #15 among the best values for computer science. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $81,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Aurora University placed #16 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,605. That is a strong return on a $25,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Roosevelt University earned the #17 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,000. Early-career computer science graduates make about $41,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
North Central College came in at #18 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,678 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $53,544. That is a strong return on a $26,678 median debt. North Central College admits about 77% of applicants.
Rockford College placed #19 among the best values for computer science. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,780. Students borrow a median of $28,094 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Rockford College earn a median of $56,020 early in their careers. Set against $28,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University earned the #20 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $66,457. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Elmhurst College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $72,910. That is a strong return on a $22,400 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College Illinois landed the #22 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $74,745. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Knox College earned the #23 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,903. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $25,673. Computer Science graduates of Knox College earn a median of $27,822 early in their careers. Set against $25,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #24 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,292. Early-career computer science graduates make about $81,470. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Illinois Wesleyan University placed #25 among the best values for computer science. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $57,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,857. Computer Science graduates of Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of $50,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Wesleyan University admits about 39% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Computer Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for computer science this year:
More Computer Science Rankings
View All Computer Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
- 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.
