2026 Best Computer Software & Applications Schools in Illinois
Computer Software & Applications is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for computer software & applications students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Computer Software & Applications in Illinois
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the computer software & applications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Computer Software & Applications
Leading the list is Illinois State University, our #1 school for computer software & applications. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 126 computer software & applications degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans.
More information about a degree in computer software & applications from Illinois State University
Depaul University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in computer software & applications, ranking #2. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 217 computer software & applications degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $84,986. Students borrow a median of $23,249 to complete this degree.
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College Of Dupage is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in computer software & applications, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. College Of Dupage awarded about 13 computer software & applications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer software & applications program make about $43,025 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,492.
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A rank of #4 makes Elgin Community College one of the top schools for computer software & applications. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. About 20 computer software & applications degrees were awarded at Elgin Community College in the most recent year. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,727.
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Joliet Junior College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best computer software & applications schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. About 28 computer software & applications degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete this degree.
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College Of Lake County came in at #6 for computer software & applications this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. There were roughly 17 computer software & applications students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete this degree.
See the full computer software & applications program report for College Of Lake County
Moraine Valley Community College placed #7 among the best computer software & applications schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 16 computer software & applications students who graduated with this degree at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,149.
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Bradley University landed the #8 spot for computer software & applications this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 35 computer software & applications students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer software & applications program make about $54,513 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,380.
More information about a degree in computer software & applications from Bradley University
Heartland Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best computer software & applications schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 44 computer software & applications students who graduated with this degree at Heartland Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer software & applications degree from Heartland Community College earn around $48,710 in the first couple years of their career. Heartland Community College graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans.
More information about a degree in computer software & applications from Heartland Community College
Prairie State College placed #10 among the best computer software & applications schools. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. About 11 computer software & applications degrees were awarded at Prairie State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer software & applications degree from Prairie State College earn around $37,500 in the first couple years of their career. Prairie State College graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans.
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Devry University Illinois came in at #11 for computer software & applications this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit university. Roughly 18% of students complete a degree within six years here. Devry University Illinois awarded about 81 computer software & applications degrees in the most recent data year. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Devry University Illinois earn a median of $32,832 early in their careers. Devry University Illinois graduates carry a median of $33,791 in student loans.
More information about a degree in computer software & applications from Devry University Illinois
More Computer Software & Applications Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 41 schools evaluated.
- 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.