by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying computer science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose computer science graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #1 spot for highest-paid computer science graduates in Illinois. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $201,739 annually.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the highest-paying schools for computer science. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of about $151,585 a year early in their careers.
Northern Illinois University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in computer science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $111,770.
A rank of #4 makes Illinois Institute Of Technology one of the highest-paying schools for computer science. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Computer Science graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of about $124,701 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Illinois At Springfield earned it the #5 place for computer science. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public institution. Computer Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of about $117,171 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago typically earn about $101,886 annually.
Lewis University came in at #7 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Lewis University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Lewis University typically earn about $89,109 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries computer science graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 7 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.