Top 3 Software Engineering Programs in Illinois 2025
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
707 Software Engineering graduates annually, 90% graduation rate
Northwestern University
149 Software Engineering graduates annually, 90% graduation rate
University of Illinois Chicago
394 Software Engineering graduates annually, 88% graduation rate
- 1.Illinois has 20+ accredited software engineering and computer science programs across public and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranks #1 in Illinois with 92% graduation rate and world-class CS reputation
- 3.Illinois software developers earn median $118,920 annually—10% above the national median (BLS Illinois 2024)
- 4.Chicago is the 3rd largest tech hub in the US with 200,000+ software jobs at companies like Google, Microsoft, and Salesforce
- 5.In-state tuition at public universities averages $16,315—significantly lower than private alternatives at $50,000+
Software Engineering Education in Illinois
Illinois offers exceptional software engineering education opportunities, anchored by the prestigious University of Illinois system and enhanced by Chicago's thriving tech ecosystem. The state combines world-class academic institutions with practical industry experience through internships and co-ops with major technology companies.
Students benefit from the state's diverse tech landscape, from Fortune 500 companies in Chicago to innovative startups throughout the state. For comparison with programs nationwide, see our national software engineering bachelor's rankings. Those considering different degree paths should review our computer science programs in Illinois or explore our software engineer career guide for detailed salary and employment data.
The University of Illinois system, particularly UIUC, consistently ranks among the top computer science programs globally, while private institutions like Northwestern offer smaller class sizes and extensive alumni networks. Community colleges provide affordable pathway programs for transfer students, making quality software engineering education accessible at various price points.
Illinois Software Engineering Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | Public | $14,768 | 90% | — | 88.5 |
| 2 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | Private | $64,887 | 90% | — | 76.4 |
| 3 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | Public | $12,656 | 88% | — | 71.2 |
| 4 | University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Private | $63,801 | — | — | 66.7 |
| 5 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL | Private | $49,607 | 89% | — | 64.6 |
| 6 | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | Private | $37,592 | 99% | — | 63.4 |
| 7 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | Private | $43,379 | 86% | — | 60 |
| 8 | Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL | Public | $9,792 | 84% | — | 59.2 |
| 9 | Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington, IL | Private | $55,500 | 86% | — | 52.3 |
| 10 | Governors State University | University Park, IL | Public | $7,872 | 80% | — | 52.1 |
| 11 | Chicago State University | Chicago, IL | Public | $8,040 | 82% | — | 51.8 |
| 12 | Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago, IL | Public | $10,343 | — | — | 49.8 |
| 13 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | Private | $50,270 | 92% | — | 49.5 |
| 14 | Aurora University | Aurora, IL | Private | $28,000 | 97% | — | 49.2 |
| 15 | Lake Forest College | Lake Forest, IL | Private | $53,300 | 84% | — | 48.6 |
Showing 1–15 of 42
Top 5 Software Engineering Programs in Illinois: Side-by-Side
| School | UIUC | Northwestern | U of Chicago | Lewis | U of Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $14,768 | $64,887 | $63,801 | $37,592 | $12,656 |
| Graduation Rate | 90% | 90% | N/A% | 99% | 88% |
| Annual Graduates | 707 | 221 | 297 | 294 | 394 |
| Acceptance Rate | 44% | 7% | 5% | 73% | 79% |
| Type | Public | Private | Private | Private | Public |
| Score | 88.5/100 | 80.0/100 | 73.2/100 | 71.7/100 | 71.2/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Software Engineering in Illinois
Illinois offers 42 bachelor's-level software engineering programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, University of Illinois Chicago. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $79,240 in the Illinois market.
A bachelor's in software engineering typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs in Illinois
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 UIUC | $14,768 | 90% | 707 | 88.5 |
| #2 Northwestern | $64,887 | 90% | 149 | 76.4 |
| #3 U of Illinois Chicago | $12,656 | 88% | 394 | 71.2 |
Top Software Engineering Schools for Master's Degrees in Illinois
For graduate study, Illinois offers 19 master's-level software engineering programs. Leading institutions include University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, University of Chicago. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Illinois reaching $147,160 or more.
Top 3 Software Engineering Master's Programs in Illinois
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 UIUC | $14,768 | 90% | 840 | 88.5 |
| #2 Northwestern | $64,887 | 90% | 221 | 80.0 |
| #3 U of Chicago | $63,801 | N/A% | 297 | 73.2 |
Most Affordable Software Engineering Colleges in Illinois
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable software engineering programs in Illinois are at Governors State University ($7,872/year), Chicago State University ($8,040/year), Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville ($8,846/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Illinois's competitive tech salaries.
At Governors State University, a 4-year degree costs approximately $31,488 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $79,240, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.7 years.
Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs in Illinois (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Governors State | $7,872 | $31,488 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #2 Chicago State | $8,040 | $32,160 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #3 Southern Illinois... | $8,846 | $35,384 | 0.8 years | Public |
University of Illinois System and Private Institutions
The University of Illinois system anchors software engineering education in the state, with three campuses offering distinct advantages. UIUC provides world-class research opportunities and national prestige, UIC offers urban advantages and Chicago tech connections, and UIS (Springfield) focuses on practical applications with smaller class sizes.
Private institutions add valuable diversity to Illinois' educational landscape. Northwestern University delivers elite education with extensive alumni networks, while schools like DePaul and Illinois Institute of Technology provide specialized programs with strong industry focus. These institutions often feature smaller class sizes and more personalized attention than large public universities.
- University of Illinois system: 3 campuses with varying strengths and specializations
- Private research universities: Northwestern, DePaul, IIT with unique program features
- Regional public universities: NIU, SIU offering affordable alternatives
- Community colleges: Pathway programs for transfer students and cost savings
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $14,768 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 90% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 707 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 44%
- • Ranking Score: 88.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 90% graduation rate
- 707 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 88.5 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (90%), program size (707 graduates), state salary outcomes ($113,200), and selectivity (44% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $64,887 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 90% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 221 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 7%
- • Ranking Score: 80.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 90% graduation rate
- 221 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 80.0 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (90%), program size (221 graduates), state salary outcomes ($113,200), and selectivity (7% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $63,801 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 297 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 5%
- • Ranking Score: 73.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 297 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 73.2 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (297 graduates), state salary outcomes ($113,200), and selectivity (5% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $37,592 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 99% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 294 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 73%
- • Ranking Score: 71.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- 99% graduation rate
- 294 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 71.7 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (99%), program size (294 graduates), state salary outcomes ($113,200), and selectivity (73% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Lewis University's MS in Computer Science offers flexible evening classes in accelerated eight-week sessions that can be completed in as little as one year, with specialized concentrations in high-demand fields like AI, cybersecurity, and software engineering. The program stays current with emerging technologies through courses in machine learning operations, generative AI, and neural networks, while faculty hold industry certifications from Cisco and AWS.
Admissions
- Transfer Friendly
Available Specializations / Concentrations
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $12,656 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 88% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 394 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 79%
- • Ranking Score: 71.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 88% graduation rate
- 394 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 71.2 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (88%), program size (394 graduates), state salary outcomes ($113,200), and selectivity (79% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
UIC's Software Engineering concentration within Computer Science offers dedicated Software Engineering I and II courses with specialized career support through an Engineering Career Center that coordinates engineering-focused career fairs attracting 225+ companies annually. The program guarantees paid summer internships to qualifying first-year and transfer students.
Admissions
- Transfer Friendly
Program Details
- Credits: 128
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Career Paths
Design, develop, and maintain software applications across various industries in Illinois' diverse economy
Analyze complex datasets for Illinois businesses, particularly in finance, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors
Streamline software development and deployment processes for Chicago's tech companies and startups
Protect Illinois organizations from cyber threats, particularly in finance and government sectors
Other Tech Degree Programs in Illinois
Software Engineering Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to a world-class public university (UIUC) at affordable in-state tuition
- Proximity to Chicago's thriving tech ecosystem with internship opportunities
- Strong job market with 200,000+ software engineering positions statewide
- Affordable cost of living compared to other major tech hubs
- Diverse industry opportunities beyond just tech (finance, manufacturing, healthcare)
- More sunshine and warmer weather year-round
- Larger concentration of tech startups and venture capital
- Higher average starting salaries (though cost of living is higher)
- More specialized programs like game development or embedded systems
- Access to specific tech company headquarters outside the Midwest
Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Software Engineering Programs
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Software Engineering degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific software engineering salaries from BLS OES 2024
Related Software Engineering Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, enrollment, and institutional data for 2023
Illinois software engineer salary and employment data for May 2024
Engineering program accreditation status as of 2024
Current tuition and fee information for 2024-25 academic year
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.