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Key Takeaways
Best computer programming degree programs: U of Illinois Urbana-Cham..., Northwestern, U of Illinois Chicago
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $5,160 to $64,887/year
Lake Land College offers the most affordable option at $7,139/yr
Computer Programming degree programs available: 14 associate's, 18 master's, 8 doctoral in Illinois
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
22 online computer programming degree programs in Illinois
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Illinois community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
14 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
Computer Programming 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 Computer Programming programs
We rank 80 accredited computer programming 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 Computer Programming Degree Programs in Illinois Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Computer Programming Degree Rankings in Illinois
Compare the top-ranked Computer Programming programs in Illinois by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Computer Programming Programs in Illinois
Program Landscape
Illinois offers 14 accredited associate's degree programs in computer programming, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include College of DuPage, Joliet Junior College, Danville Area Community C..., 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 $9,122/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 computer programming schools in Illinois, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their computer programming degrees in Illinois.
Show all 13 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL | Public | $9,192 | 39% | 73.4 |
| #7 | Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville, IL | Public | $7,470 | 36% | 69.8 |
| #8 | Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | Public | $10,276 | 37% | 69.4 |
| #9 | Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | Public | $6,795 | 37% | 69.3 |
| #10 | Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | Public | $11,700 | 21% | 66.2 |
| #11 | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL | Public | $12,090 | 31% | 64.2 |
| #12 | City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College | Chicago, IL | Public | $12,090 | 32% | 63.0 |
| #13 | City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College | Chicago, IL | Public | $12,090 | 26% | 59.5 |
Best Bachelor's Computer Programming Programs in Illinois
Program Landscape
Illinois ranks among the nation's top destinations for computer programming education, with 40 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 11 public and 29 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are U of Illinois Urbana-Cham..., Northwestern, U of Illinois Chicago, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Illinois computer programming 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 $31,881/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 85%, 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 computer programming degrees in Illinois, these top-ranked computer programming schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Olivet Nazarene University
Best Master's Computer Programming Programs in Illinois
Program Landscape
Illinois offers 18 master's degree programs in computer programming, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of Illinois Urbana-Cham..., Northwestern, Lewis, 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 $26,200/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 computer programming schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Computer Programming Degree Costs & Tuition in Illinois
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $26,422/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $66,055/year |
| Community college tuition | $6,606/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $158,532 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $39,632 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Computer Programming Students in Illinois
State Aid Programs
The MAP Grant provides critical need-based support for Illinois residents. Awards range from $300 to $8,064 annually, covering tuition and mandatory fees at approved institutions (ISAC). Eligibility is determined through FAFSA, no separate application required. Priority deadline is March 1 for returning recipients, with early filing encouraged for first-time applicants.
Key Programs & Amounts
Additional state and federal aid:
- Illinois Commitment: Covers UIUC tuition for families earning under $75,000
- AIM HIGH Grant: Merit-based aid at public universities
- Federal Pell Grant: Up to $7,395 for 2024-25
- Federal loans: Subsidized and unsubsidized options Combined aid packages often make public universities affordable for low and middle-income families. Many students attend UIUC or UIC at minimal out-of-pocket cost when grants cover tuition.
Institutional Scholarships
Technology company scholarships benefit programming students. Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta offer scholarships for underrepresented students in computing. Professional organizations including ACM and IEEE provide computing-focused awards. Chicago-area companies sometimes sponsor scholarships at partner universities. Apply early, many scholarship deadlines precede admission decisions. Complete FAFSA by October 1 to maximize aid eligibility. Consider co-op programs that combine paid work with study.
Computer Programming Degree ROI Calculator, Illinois
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a computer programming 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.
Computer Programming Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a computer programming degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+802%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,483,492
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.
$123,810
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
Computer Programming 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 Computer Programming Graduates in Illinois
Find computer programming jobs in Illinois. These major employers across Illinois metro areas are actively hiring computer programming degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Computer Programming 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 Computer Programming 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 Computer Programming Degrees in Illinois
State Transfer System
The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) enables seamless transfer among 100+ participating institutions (iTransfer.org). Students completing the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) at any community college satisfy general education requirements at participating four-year institutions. Programming-specific courses require individual evaluation, but many foundational courses (intro programming, data structures) transfer between institutions.
How Transfers Work
Strategic planning maximizes transfer efficiency:
- 1Complete CS prerequisites: Introduction to programming, data structures, discrete math, calculus
- 2Use iTransfer: Verify equivalencies before enrolling in courses
- 3Target 3.3+ GPA: Competitive CS programs require strong academic records
- 4Apply to multiple programs: CS transfer admission is competitive at flagship universities Community colleges including Harper College, College of DuPage, Oakton, and Triton offer strong CS preparation tracks designed for transfer.
Transfer Planning Tips
Transfer saves significant costs.
Students completing two years at Illinois community colleges before transfer save $20,000-$35,000 on total degree costs while maintaining pathways to UIUC, UIC, and other strong programs. Many successful software developers in Chicago began at community colleges. The pathway is particularly valuable for students building programming skills while working or those seeking to strengthen their academic record before applying to competitive programs.
Illinois's Tech Ecosystem
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, CompTIA State of Tech Workforce 2025, Glassdoor
Computer Programming Job Market & Salary Data in Illinois
Employment Outlook
Illinois's job market strongly favors skilled programmers with demand projected to grow 25% through 2032, significantly above national averages (CompTIA State of Tech Workforce 2025). Chicago's tech industry generates $42/hour median wages for tech professionals, 1.5 times the city's average. The concentration of financial services, healthcare technology, and enterprise software creates diverse programming opportunities.
Salaries by Metro
Metro area salary variations reflect industry concentrations:
- Chicago Loop/Near North: $140,000-$180,000 for trading firm programmers; $110,000-$140,000 for enterprise developers
- Suburban Corridors (Schaumburg, Naperville): $100,000-$130,000 at corporate headquarters
- Champaign-Urbana: $85,000-$110,000 at research companies and startups Fintech dominates Chicago's high-paying programming roles. Trading firms seek developers proficient in C++, Python, and low-latency systems. Healthcare technology (Abbott, Baxter) and enterprise software (Salesforce Chicago) offer more traditional development environments (Glassdoor).
High-Growth Sectors
High-demand programming skills include: Python (data science, fintech), C++ (trading systems), JavaScript/TypeScript (web applications), Java (enterprise), SQL (data management), and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure). The Illinois Tech Association reports 25% growth in AI/ML programming roles over the past year. For related paths, explore software engineering or data science programs.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Computer Programming Programs in Illinois
Online Programs
22 available in Illinois
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Computer Programming Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 32
- Median Tuition
- $6,800
- Total Programs
- 37
- Median Tuition
- $10,300
- Total Programs
- 6
- Median Tuition
- $19,000
- Total Programs
- 34
- Median Tuition
- $11,700
- Total Programs
- 29
- Median Tuition
- $21,000
- Total Programs
- 193
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 51
- Median Tuition
- $4,600
- Total Programs
- 75
- Median Tuition
- $6,800
Computer Programming Degree Programs in Illinois: FAQ
What are the best computer programming degree programs in Illinois?
How much do computer programming degree programs cost in Illinois?
What salary can computer programming degree graduates earn in Illinois?
Are there online computer programming degree programs in Illinois?
What companies hire computer programming degree graduates in Illinois?
Is a computer programming degree program worth it in Illinois?
How long do computer programming degree programs take in Illinois?
What financial aid is available for computer programming 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.