best computer science schools illinois
Research the best computer science schools in Illinois.

Home to Chicago - one of our most diverse and impressive cities, delicious food from around the world, and a prolific sports culture, Illinois has a lot to offer. Beyond being a great place to live, the Prairie State has some of the nation's top colleges for computer science and engineering. The best computer science schools in Illinois include The University of Chicago, University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, and Northwestern University in Evanston.

For those who remain in-state after finishing computer school in Illinois, the startup scene is thriving, especially in and around Chicago. Known for their strong work ethic, pragmatism and creativity, Chicagoans make attractive employees in the flourishing high-tech space. Big tech is taking notice too, with major players like Google, Salesforce and Groupon building a significant presence in the Chicago area.

Best CS Schools in Illinois

Compare the top-ranked colleges and universities for computer science in Illinois.

Admissions advisors can provide more info about programs and curriculum, admissions and start dates, tuition costs and personalized financial aid options for computer science schools in Illinois.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign is the best school for computer science school in Illinois. The University's Grainger School of Engineering has graduated 8 Nobel prize winners, is routinely a top-10 school for undergraduate and graduate programs in CS and engineering, and ranked as the #5 computer science program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

  • Comp-Sci Majors and Minors include:
  • Campus Locations:
    • UIUC: Urbana-Champaign: 601 E John St. | Champaign, IL 61820
 

University of Chicago

Located in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood just 20 minutes from downtown, UC students get the best of both worlds - a comfortable home with a college-town vibe, and easy access to a bustling metropolis. UChicago offers a world-class computer science program, featuring interdisciplinary research in emerging domains like artificial intelligence, data science and quantum computing.

  • Undergrad & Graduate CS Degrees in:
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)
    • Scientific and High Performance Computing
    • Advanced Cyber Security & Privacy
    • Human Computer Interaction
    • Systems, Architecture & Networking
    • View all programs at University of Chicago
  • Campus Locations:
    • Hyde Park: Rosenwald Hall | 1101 E. 58th Street | Chicago, IL 60637
 

Top Paying Computing Jobs in Illinois

For those who live and work in-state after completing training, here's how much you can earn in the top paying tech roles in Illinois.

IT Career Path Average Salary in IL
Information Technology Manager $153,900
Engineering Manager $151,060
Network Architect $128,140
Nuclear Engineer $127,760
Computer Hardware Engineer $118,300
Computer Scientist $115,210
IT Security Specialist $107,340
Software Engineer $107,110

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Regional Tech Pay in Illinois

These Illinois metro areas pay the highest wages to computing and IT professionals.

Location in Illinois Hourly IT Salary Annual IT Salary
Bloomington, IL $48.04 $99,920
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI $45.39 $94,400
Peoria, IL $43.08 $89,610
Springfield, IL $41.57 $86,460
Champaign-Urbana, IL $38.98 $81,090

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some popular questions from prospective computing and engineering students in Illinois.

What's the best computer science college in Illinois?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is considered to be the state's best college for computer science. U.S. News & World Report ranks UIUC as the best CS school in Illinois.

What is the best CS school in Chicago?

The University of Chicago is the top-ranked college for computer science and engineering in the city of Chicago.

Online Computer Schools in Illinois

These leading online computer science schools are accepting applicants from Illinois.

Request info to learn more about online programs, start dates, tuition & financial aid.

Further Reading

About the Author

IT Subject Matter ExpertDaniel Greenspan is the founder and Editor-in-chief of ITCareerFinder. Working closely with IT professionals, world-class trainers, and hiring managers since 2005 has given him unique insight into the information technology job market and the skills and credentials IT pros need to succeed.