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Key Takeaways
Best cloud computing degree programs: Northwestern, U of Illinois Urbana-Cham..., U of Illinois Chicago
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $5,160 to $64,887/year
Southwestern Illinois Col... offers the most affordable option at $6,120/yr
Cloud Computing degree programs available: 32 associate's, 11 master's, 1 doctoral in Illinois
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
24 online cloud computing degree programs in Illinois
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Illinois community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
32 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Salesforce, Google, Groupon, Grubhub
Tech hubs in Chicago and Naperville
Hakia Research 2026
Cloud Computing degree programs near 113+ cities across Illinois
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated July 13, 2026
How we ranked Illinois Cloud Computing programs
We rank 66 accredited cloud computing programs in Illinois using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Cloud Computing Degree Programs in Illinois Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Cloud Computing Degree Rankings in Illinois
Compare the top-ranked Cloud Computing programs in Illinois by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Cloud Computing Programs in Illinois
Program Landscape
Illinois offers 32 accredited associate's degree programs in cloud computing, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include DeVry University-Illinois, Southwestern Illinois Col..., College of DuPage, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Illinois offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $9,488/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $62,260 in Illinois.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Illinois's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Chicago, Naperville, Champaign areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Salesforce, Google, Groupon hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among cloud computing schools in Illinois, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their cloud computing degrees in Illinois.
Show all 32 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Lewis and Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | Public | $9,000 | — | 36.4 |
| #7 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | Public | $7,139 | — | 40.8 |
| #8 | Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | Public | $6,576 | — | 34.2 |
| #9 | John A Logan College | Carterville, IL | Public | $5,640 | — | 39.6 |
| #10 | Morton College | Cicero, IL | Public | $8,256 | — | 41.0 |
| #11 | Kaskaskia College | Centralia, IL | Public | $7,050 | — | 40.3 |
| #12 | Highland Community College | Freeport, IL | Public | $5,904 | — | 33.7 |
| #13 | Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | Public | $8,610 | — | 41.0 |
| #14 | Parkland College | Champaign, IL | Public | $9,072 | — | 41.0 |
| #15 | Black Hawk College | Moline, IL | Public | $7,950 | — | 40.3 |
| #16 | Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | Public | $11,700 | — | 42.2 |
| #17 | Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | Public | $8,820 | — | 40.5 |
| #18 | Illinois Central College | East Peoria, IL | Public | $9,348 | — | 40.8 |
| #19 | McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | Public | $10,012 | — | 41.0 |
| #20 | Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | Public | $9,750 | — | 40.8 |
| #21 | Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | Public | $10,276 | — | 41.0 |
| #22 | Heartland Community College | Normal, IL | Public | $9,960 | — | 34.7 |
| #23 | Olney Central College | Olney, IL | Public | $9,180 | — | 40.3 |
| #24 | Spoon River College | Canton, IL | Public | $10,620 | — | 41.0 |
| #25 | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL | Public | $11,520 | — | 41.2 |
| #26 | Triton College | River Grove, IL | Public | $11,310 | — | 40.5 |
| #27 | South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | Public | $10,500 | — | 39.6 |
| #28 | City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College | Chicago, IL | Public | $11,520 | — | 40.0 |
| #29 | Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | Public | $10,380 | — | 33.3 |
| #30 | Rasmussen University-Illinois | Rockford, IL | For-Profit | $13,400 | — | 40.8 |
| #31 | Illinois Valley Community College | Oglesby, IL | Public | $13,543 | — | 34.2 |
| #32 | City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College | Chicago, IL | Public | $11,520 | — | 39.2 |
Best Bachelor's Cloud Computing Programs in Illinois
Program Landscape
Illinois ranks among the nation's top destinations for cloud computing education, with 22 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 6 public and 15 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Northwestern, U of Illinois Urbana-Cham..., U of Illinois Chicago, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Illinois cloud computing programs earn a median salary of $96,220, 2% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Chicago, Naperville, Champaign metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Salesforce, Google, Groupon.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $7,872 to $64,887 annually, with an average of $30,554/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 82%, with the highest reaching 99%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Illinois's leading technology employers. For students seeking cloud computing degrees in Illinois, these top-ranked cloud computing schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Show all 22 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL | Private | $49,607 | 89% | 67.0 |
| #7 | Governors State University | University Park, IL | Public | $7,872 | 80% | 51.3 |
| #8 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale, IL | Public | $9,638 | 87% | 45.9 |
| #9 | Elmhurst University | Elmhurst, IL | Private | $41,258 | 82% | 45.7 |
| #10 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | Private | $50,270 | 92% | 46.4 |
| #11 | Illinois State University | Normal, IL | Public | $11,000 | 81% | 43.3 |
| #12 | University of St Francis | Joliet, IL | Private | $37,000 | 96% | 48.7 |
| #13 | McKendree University | Lebanon, IL | Private | $32,660 | 84% | 45.9 |
| #14 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | Private | $37,592 | 99% | 46.8 |
| #15 | Quincy University | Quincy, IL | Private | $35,740 | 72% | 44.5 |
| #16 | Saint Xavier University | Chicago, IL | Private | $35,680 | 80% | 41.0 |
| #17 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL | Private | $39,248 | — | 36.7 |
| #18 | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, IL | Private | $36,950 | — | 37.6 |
| #19 | Dominican University | River Forest, IL | Private | $37,194 | 68% | 38.5 |
| #20 | Western Illinois University | Macomb, IL | Public | $9,359 | — | 36.2 |
| #21 | Benedictine University | Lisle, IL | Private | $31,028 | — | 34.2 |
| #22 | Roosevelt University | Chicago, IL | Private | $20,000 | — | 31.2 |
Best Master's Cloud Computing Programs in Illinois
Program Landscape
Illinois offers 11 master's degree programs in cloud computing, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of Illinois Urbana-Cham..., Northwestern, Illinois Institute of Tec..., combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in Illinois earn a median salary of $113,200, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Chicago, Naperville, Champaign creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with Salesforce, Google, Groupon actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $36,582/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among Illinois's cloud computing schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Show all 11 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | DeVry University-Illinois | Lisle, IL | For-Profit | $14,392 | 23% | 53.4 |
| #7 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | Private | $50,270 | 92% | 53.2 |
| #8 | Elmhurst University | Elmhurst, IL | Private | $41,258 | 82% | 52.1 |
| #9 | University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Private | $63,801 | — | 48.6 |
| #10 | Illinois State University | Normal, IL | Public | $11,000 | 81% | 51.2 |
| #11 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL | Private | $39,248 | — | 42.9 |
Best Doctoral Cloud Computing Programs in Illinois
Program Landscape
Illinois is home to 1 doctoral programs in cloud computing, preparing students for research positions, faculty appointments, and executive technical roles. Leading programs at U of Illinois Urbana-Cham... are recognized for cutting-edge research, strong faculty publications, and competitive funding packages.
Career Outcomes
Doctoral graduates command premium salaries, with Illinois PhD holders earning a median of $141,500, reflecting the advanced expertise required for research and executive positions. The Chicago, Naperville, Champaign region's research universities and corporate R&D centers provide extensive collaboration opportunities with industry leaders like Salesforce, Google, Groupon.
Costs & Value
PhD programs typically require 4-6 years of full-time study, including coursework, qualifying examinations, and original dissertation research. Many programs offer full funding through teaching or research assistantships, covering tuition and providing stipends of $25,000–$40,000 annually.
Curriculum & Specializations
Research strengths across Illinois programs include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, systems, and theoretical computer science. For aspiring researchers pursuing cloud computing degrees in Illinois, graduates go on to careers as university faculty, industry research scientists, or technical executives, contributing to advances in technology that impact millions of users worldwide.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Cloud Computing Degree Costs & Tuition in Illinois
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $18,818/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $47,045/year |
| Community college tuition | $4,705/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $112,908 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $28,226 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid for Illinois Cloud Computing Students
Verdict: Illinois Cloud Computing students benefit from substantial state aid (Illinois MAP Grant, Illinois Commitment at UIUC) combined with the substantial Chicago Wall Street cloud migration market, JPMorgan Chase Chicago substantial cloud migration to AWS/Azure, Citi Chicago cloud, Northern Trust cloud migration, BMO Harris cloud, Bank of America Chicago cloud, Chicago is substantially the largest US bank cloud migration market outside NYC. Plus Chicago HFT cloud infrastructure (DRW cloud, Jump Trading cloud, Citadel Securities Chicago cloud, substantial low-latency cloud engineering), Boeing Defense cloud (Chicago HQ), Walgreens cloud (Deerfield HQ, substantial pharmacy/retail cloud migration), Allstate cloud (Northbrook HQ, substantial insurance cloud migration), Discover Financial cloud (Riverwoods HQ), United Airlines cloud (Chicago HQ, substantial airline operations cloud). Plus Argonne National Laboratory's substantial cloud infrastructure** supporting ALCF.
Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant provides need-based aid for Illinois residents at participating Illinois institutions (up to ~$8,400/year). The Illinois Commitment at UIUC covers full tuition for Illinois resident families earning under $75,000.
Illinois's cloud-computing-specific institutional aid is concentrated at: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Grainger Engineering CS-with-cloud-emphasis with substantial cloud-systems research depth and the substantial Coordinated Science Laboratory's cloud-systems research. University of Chicago CS with substantial cloud-systems research depth + the substantial Argonne-UChicago joint research relationships including ALCF cloud infrastructure access. Northwestern University CS-with-cloud-emphasis with substantial McCormick School of Engineering cloud research depth. Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) has cloud-computing programs with substantial Chicago tech industry placement. DePaul University Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media has substantial cloud-computing programs with strong Chicago industry placement.
Industry-track scholarships and certification reimbursement from Illinois-based cloud employers, Chicago Wall Street cloud migration market (JPMorgan Chase Chicago substantial cloud migration to AWS/Azure, Citi Chicago cloud, Northern Trust cloud, BMO Harris cloud, Bank of America Chicago cloud, Chicago is substantially the largest US bank cloud migration market outside NYC with substantial AWS Solutions Architect and Azure Administrator employment), Chicago HFT cloud infrastructure (DRW cloud, Jump Trading cloud, Citadel Securities Chicago cloud, substantial low-latency cloud engineering), Boeing Defense cloud (Chicago HQ, substantial defense cloud engineering), Walgreens cloud (Deerfield HQ, substantial pharmacy/retail cloud migration), Allstate cloud (Northbrook HQ), Discover Financial cloud (Riverwoods HQ), United Airlines cloud (Chicago HQ), Abbott cloud (Abbott Park HQ), AbbVie cloud (North Chicago HQ), plus Argonne National Laboratory cloud infrastructure, provide additional funding most students don't pursue.
Cloud Computing Degree ROI Calculator, Illinois
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a cloud computing degree in Illinois. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Cloud Computing Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a cloud computing degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+959%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,774,135
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$138,095
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Cloud Computing Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Illinois metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $125K |
| Naperville | $119K |
| Champaign | $113K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Cloud Computing Graduates in Illinois
Find cloud computing jobs in Illinois. These major employers across Illinois metro areas are actively hiring cloud computing degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Cloud Computing Jobs in Chicago
ILChicago is a fintech and trading technology hub. CME Group and numerous trading firms drive demand for tech talent.
Nearby cities: Evanston, Oak Brook, Schaumburg, Naperville, Aurora, Downers Grove, Skokie
Illinois Tech Industry & Infrastructure
Illinois — and specifically the Chicago metro — is the largest US Midwest tech hub and uniquely combines financial-services tech (CBOE, CME Group, Citadel before its move, Morningstar) with a deep enterprise/IT employer base (Caterpillar, Boeing, Walgreens, McDonald's IT). The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign CS program is one of the largest CS-graduate producers in the country.
Chicago
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Trading and financial-services tech hub (CBOE, CME Group, Citadel Securities, Jump Trading), plus major Chicago offices for Google, Meta, Salesforce. Northwestern, UChicago, and UIUC alumni concentrate here.
Urbana-Champaign
Champaign metro
UIUC research and startup spinout hub. UIUC's CS program produces one of the largest US bachelor's CS graduate cohorts; Research Park hosts engineering offices for John Deere, Yahoo, ADM, and others.
Illinois has a flat-rate state income tax. The state offers EDGE tax credits for qualifying tech-employer investments.
Illinois Regulation Affecting Cloud Computing Graduates
Illinois has the most stringent biometric-privacy law in the United States. For ML, AI, and identity-verification engineers, Illinois BIPA is a foundational compliance constraint that has reshaped product design at major US tech employers.
Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA)
Strictest US biometric privacy law. Requires written consent before collecting, storing, or using biometric identifiers (fingerprints, facial geometry, voiceprints). Provides a private right of action — including statutory damages of $1,000-$5,000 per violation.
Critical for any engineer building face-recognition, fingerprint, voice-print, or similar biometric features. BIPA litigation has produced settlements in the hundreds of millions (Facebook: $650M, TikTok: $92M). Most major US tech companies have modified product behavior specifically to avoid BIPA exposure.
Read moreIllinois Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
Requires reasonable security measures for personal information and sets data-breach notification requirements.
Standard data-protection compliance for any IL-resident-serving business.
Read moreIllinois Artificial Intelligence Video Interview Act
Employers using AI to analyze video interviews must notify candidates, obtain consent, explain how the AI works, and limit data sharing.
AI/ML engineers building hiring-tech serving Illinois employers must implement consent flows and AI-explanation interfaces.
Read moreProfessional Engineer Licensure in Illinois
Illinois does not currently administer a separate Software Engineering PE license. Standard engineering PE disciplines (mechanical, electrical) require ABET-EAC accreditation; software engineering specifically is not a Illinois-recognized PE discipline.
Illinois licensing boardIllinois Financial Aid Programs
Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant
State grantUp to ~$8,400/yr
Illinois residents with financial need at IL institutions
AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program
Merit-need hybridUp to in-state tuition coverage
Illinois residents with academic merit and financial need at IL public universities
Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship
State scholarshipUp to $7,500/yr
Minority IL residents pursuing teaching credentials; CS/tech education tracks eligible
Transfer Pathways for Illinois Cloud Computing Students
Verdict: Illinois's Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) provides robust cloud-computing-track CS transfer pathways at the foundational level. Cloud-track transfer admission is substantially more accessible than CS-track admission at most Illinois 4-year institutions, often 40-70% for qualified transfer applicants.
Best Illinois community college cloud-computing-track-feeder schools: City Colleges of Chicago (Wright College specifically, strong UIC and Northwestern cloud transfer record with substantial Chicago Wall Street cloud migration industry exposure), College of DuPage (suburban Chicago, strong UIUC and IIT cloud pathways, refined cloud-computing prerequisite + AWS/Azure/GCP certification programs), Harper College (NW suburbs, strong UIUC and IIT cloud pathways with substantial Walgreens cloud, Allstate cloud, Discover cloud industry exposure), Joliet Junior College (SW suburbs, strong UIC and Lewis University cloud pathways), College of Lake County (N suburbs), Parkland College (Champaign, geographically adjacent to UIUC with substantial Argonne National Laboratory cloud infrastructure adjacency). Each has refined cloud-computing prerequisite + AWS/Azure/GCP certification programs via IAI articulation.
The College of DuPage → UIUC Grainger Engineering cloud-track pathway is one of the most reliable Illinois community college cloud progressions, refined cloud certification programs aligned to UIUC's substantial CS-with-cloud-emphasis admission. The Wright College → UIC cloud-track pathway is the most accessible Chicago-area public cloud optimization with substantial Chicago Wall Street cloud migration industry placement. The Harper College → DePaul Jarvis College cloud pathway is the substantially-accessible private alternative with strong Chicago industry placement.
Beyond UIUC cloud: Northwestern University CS transfer admission is genuinely difficult (under 15%) but McCormick School cloud research depth is substantial. University of Chicago transfer admission is similarly difficult but UChicago's substantial Argonne-UChicago joint research relationships include substantial ALCF cloud infrastructure access. Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) has accessible CS-with-cloud-emphasis transfer (30-50%) plus substantial Chicago-cloud industry placement. University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) has substantially accessible CS-cloud transfer admission. Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale offer affordable comprehensive alternatives. For Illinois cloud-computing-track students, the UIUC pathway is the elite cloud-systems research optimization for the most competitive applicants; UIC is the accessible Chicago-area public cloud optimization with substantial Wall Street cloud migration industry placement; IIT is the accessible Chicago-area private cloud alternative; Northwestern and UChicago are the elite private optimizations.
Illinois's Tech Ecosystem
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, CompTIA State of Tech Workforce 2025, Glassdoor
Illinois Cloud Computing Job Market & Salary
Verdict: Illinois has one of the largest US Cloud Computing engineer job markets anchored by the substantial Chicago Wall Street cloud migration market, JPMorgan Chase Chicago substantial cloud migration to AWS/Azure (Chicago is substantially the largest US bank cloud migration market outside NYC with substantial AWS Solutions Architect and Azure Administrator employment), Citi Chicago cloud, Northern Trust cloud migration, BMO Harris cloud, Bank of America Chicago cloud. Plus Chicago HFT cloud infrastructure (substantial low-latency cloud engineering at DRW, Jump Trading, Citadel Securities Chicago), Boeing Defense cloud (Chicago HQ), Walgreens cloud, Allstate cloud, Discover Financial cloud, United Airlines cloud, Abbott cloud, AbbVie cloud. Plus Argonne National Laboratory's substantial cloud infrastructure supporting ALCF.
By metro: Chicago metro averages ~$155,000-$220,000 for cloud engineer roles per Levels.fyi with senior cloud engineer roles regularly $200,000-$300,000+ and Wall Street cloud architect roles at JPMorgan Chase Chicago, Citi Chicago, Northern Trust, BMO Harris regularly $220,000-$380,000+. JPMorgan Chase Chicago cloud is the substantial employer, substantial AWS and Azure cloud engineering supporting JPMorgan's substantial Chicago consumer banking, capital markets, and wealth management cloud infrastructure (Chicago is substantially the largest US bank cloud migration market outside NYC). Citi Chicago cloud. Northern Trust cloud migration (substantial trust company cloud operations). BMO Harris cloud. Bank of America Chicago cloud.
Chicago HFT cloud infrastructure at DRW, Jump Trading, Citadel Securities Chicago, Optiver Chicago is the distinctive Chicago cloud compensation tier, senior cloud engineers building low-latency cloud infrastructure for HFT trading often earn $300,000-$700,000+ TC. Boeing Defense cloud (Chicago HQ) is the substantial defense cloud employer, substantial cloud engineering supporting aerospace and defense cloud applications. Walgreens cloud (Deerfield HQ, one of the larger US pharmacy/retail cloud migration operations supporting Walgreens' substantial 9,000+ store cloud infrastructure). Allstate cloud (Northbrook HQ, substantial insurance cloud migration). Discover Financial cloud (Riverwoods HQ, substantial credit-card-issuer cloud migration). United Airlines cloud (Chicago HQ, substantial airline operations cloud). Abbott cloud, AbbVie cloud for healthcare/diagnostics cloud + pharma cloud. Argonne National Laboratory cloud infrastructure supporting ALCF distributed compute access.
Three Illinois cloud-computing-specific dynamics: (1) Chicago is substantially the largest US bank cloud migration market outside NYC, JPMorgan Chase Chicago + Citi Chicago + Northern Trust + BMO Harris + Bank of America Chicago collectively support substantial enterprise cloud engineering employment scale comparable to NYC Wall Street cloud migration with substantially lower Chicago cost-of-living. (2) Chicago HFT cloud infrastructure provides substantial compensation premium, senior cloud engineers building low-latency cloud infrastructure at DRW, Jump Trading, Citadel Securities Chicago, Optiver Chicago often earn $300,000-$700,000+ TC. (3) Illinois enterprise cloud migration hiring stability through 2022-2024 broader tech downturns, Illinois enterprise cloud (Chicago Wall Street cloud + Boeing Defense cloud + Walgreens + Allstate + Discover + United Airlines) provided substantial cloud employment stability during periods when commercial-tech cloud hiring contracted. See Cloud Engineer Career Guide and DevOps Engineer Career Guide.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Cloud Computing Programs in Illinois
Online Programs
24 available in Illinois
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Cloud Computing Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 36
- Median Tuition
- $7,200
- Total Programs
- 18
- Median Tuition
- $9,600
- Total Programs
- 11
- Median Tuition
- $10,500
- Total Programs
- 30
- Median Tuition
- $8,100
- Total Programs
- 20
- Median Tuition
- $6,200
- Total Programs
- 127
- Median Tuition
- $1,400
- Total Programs
- 37
- Median Tuition
- $4,600
- Total Programs
- 74
- Median Tuition
- $7,600
Cloud Computing Degree Programs in Illinois: FAQ
What are the best cloud computing degree programs in Illinois?
How much do cloud computing degree programs cost in Illinois?
What salary can cloud computing degree graduates earn in Illinois?
Are there online cloud computing degree programs in Illinois?
What companies hire cloud computing degree graduates in Illinois?
Is a cloud computing degree program worth it in Illinois?
How long do cloud computing degree programs take in Illinois?
What financial aid is available for cloud computing degree students in Illinois?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Illinois salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.