A Guide to Online Computer Science Degrees in Illinois

Illinois is the 6th most populous state in the country and is known for its global ports along the Great Lakes, as well as their confluence with the Mississippi River through the Illinois Waterway. Its industries are as diverse as the state’s landscape and include manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, energy,finance, arts, and higher education. In fact, Illinois is home to some of the best schools in the nation like the University of Chicago- the third best university in the nation tied with Yale, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on of the top 25 research universities in the nation. Along with innovation comes opportunity which is evinced via the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor- a region located along interstate 88 in the Chicago Metropolitan area. Many of the Fortune 1000 companies found here specialize in research, development, and of course, technology. The total GDP for Illinois was 798,999 (million USD in 2016), with a 3.5% growth, and unemployment is at a record low below 6%.

Computer Science opportunities in Illinois
Illinois is home to the third largest city in America by population – Chicago. While Chicago is not the only place for computer science jobs in the state, it is one of the biggest tech hubs in the country. In fact, it is only second to Silicon Valley. Chicago is already the country’s major core real estate market and combined with the lucrative opportunities in the world of technology, you have hit a home run. Business-to-consumer companies in and around Chicago include Orbitz, Groupon, CareerBuilder, RedBox, Motorola and many more. When it comes to venture capital- backed Tech companies, Chicago has nearly 30 and it’s rapidly growing. The median salary of tech jobs in Chicago alone are 67 percent higher than the rest of the nation according to Forbes . This is no unicorn, when analyzing the real estate strengths according to ULI and comparing those to the rapid growth and high paid jobs of the region, the projection for computer science jobs is astronomical. Add to that the phenomenal opportunities available in college towns like Champaign-Urbana (that has ranked 15th in the nation for tech start ups in small metro areas and is considered one of the 10 most promising tech hubs in the nation according to Techie.com). .

Cost for tuition against national average
Illinois has some of the finest public education schools in the country with phenomenal programs that rank as some of the best in the world. With schools like the University of Illinois- one of the best schools in the nation- it makes sense that the average cost for tuition is $13,785. Comparatively, the national average for 2015/16 is right around $9,400. The difference is $4,300, which we believe Illinois makes up for in terms of value. Many of the programs we ranked are the top schools in the region and provide research opportunities for both undergraduates and graduates, have state-of-the-art facilities and remain current when it comes to computer science trends and employable skills. The average tution for two-year colleges is right in line with the national averages costing about $4,000 per year. If these trends continue, these affordable programs should sustain allowing for in-state students to save money on room and board costs and plan more manageable budgets.

Average Salary for computer science-related jobs in Illinois:

  • Web Developer $70,863
  • Software Applications Developer $84,000
  • Computer Systems Analyst $71,540
  • Database Administrator $74,612
  • Data Scientist $119,043
  • Information Technology Manager $117,219

The 5 Best Online CS Degree Providers: IL


While students should first and foremost make sure that a university offers the exact field of study they’re interested in pursuing, knowing the overall quality of an online degree providing university is also important. Below we’ve surveyed all of the computer science-related degree providers in Florida and ranked them according to academic prestige and the breadth of their academic offerings. Our academic prestige metric takes into account online-centered predictors of program quality such as class size, the range of online support services, the percentage of faculty with terminal degrees in their field, and admissions profiles. Together these two metric categories help to flesh out some of the overall best online degree-granting institutions for computer science in the state. Check out our top offerings below!

1
DePaul University
CSZ Score: 98/100
Online CS Degrees:11

DePaul University is a private institution that was founded in 1898 and is located in Chicago. It is a Catholic University located in the Lincoln Park and Loop neighborhoods. The Chicago Loop is Chicago’s central business district. The Princeton Review calls Chicago the 3rd best college city in the country. There are over 23,539 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is just 16:1. The student body represents all 50 states, and 100 countries. There are 10 colleges and schools offering degree programs in a vast range of fields including among them business, law, nursing, and computer science. The Higher Learning Commission accredits undergraduate and graduate degree programs. According to U.S. News DePaul University ranks as the 124th best college in the nation, 82nd best college for veterans, 70th best value school in the nation, and has one of the best online graduate degree programs in America. Diversity is centric to the ethos at DePaul University. In fact they received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award and have recently been recognized as on of the best places for women to work according to Diversity Magazine .

DePaul University offers 11 computer science related degrees, including 2 bachelor’s degrees in and 9 master’s degrees. The programs are varied and include computing, communication and media, computer game development, software engineering among others. There are a number of online computer science certifications as well inluding Java, Big Data and NoxSQL, .Net Web development and many more. Bachelor’s are typically completed in 4 years, but many students may select to follow the 3 year or even 2 year plan available at DePaul. Most online master’s can be completed in 1-2 years. The M.S. in computer science program for example may be completed in as little as 1 year and is available to a diverse group of individuals. Those without a bachelor’s degree in computer science will still be considered for candidacy. When it comes to the online lectures, DePaul films classes that take place on campus and makes them available to those online. Students use COL (Course OnLine) playback which can be downloaded to a computer or any mobile device and even viewed offline. The student support system BlueStar exists to connect students with advisors and instructors. Additionally, students benefit from career coaching, library loans, and tutoring services.

2
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
CSZ Score: 97/100
Online CS Degrees:4

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public university founded in 1876. It is locate in Champaign, Illinois. Champaign has a twin city- Urbana. Hence the name of the region “Urbana-Champaign.” This flagship university is also a land, sea, and space granting institution. The campus library is the second largest in the Unites States after Harvard University. There are 45,842 students enrolled at UIUC and the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The Carnegie Foundation ranks UIUC as the a doctoral university with the highest research activity. In fact, UIUC is one of the top 25 American Research Universities as measured by The Center for Measuring University Performance , and is a leader particularly regarding computer based education and hosted the PLATO project. In 1971 UIUC was the first institution to license the use of the UNIX operating system. According to U.S. News UIUC is the 44th best college in the nation, the 27th best college for veterans, and has the 10th best online graduate education program and 9th best for online engineering. The Higher Learning Commission accredits UIUC to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as professional graduate certifications.

UIUC offers over 800 online programs in a wide variety of fields for both traditional and non traditional students. There are great options for military students and high school students as well. When it comes to computer science degrees, U of I online offers 4 master’s degrees in the field of computer science including a M.Ed. in Learning Design and Leadership, a M.S. in Computer Science, a M.S. in Library and Information Sciences, and a M.S. in Computer Data Science. All online programs are the same as their on-campus programming. The programs merit themselves on their high quality of classes, flexibility, convenience, and academic excellence. In fact, U of I has offered some kind of distance programming since 1948 and began development of online learning in 1996. The student services feature continual online tech support services, services for wounded veterans, minority student support, distance library services, and writing support.

3
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
CSZ Score: 95/100
Online CS Degrees:4

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois. Carbondale is located in Southern Illinois and it is the flagship university of the Southern Illinois University system. There are 17,292 students currently enrolled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. This diverse student body represents all 50 states and over 100 countries. Regardless of enrollment, classroom size remains small, and the student-to-faculty ratio is just 15:1. The student body is diverse and represents a multiplicity of ethnic and religious backgrounds. According to U.S. News Southern Illinois University of Carbondale ranks as the 214th top national university, 122nd top public school. The Carnegie Foundation ranks SIU among the top 5 percent of all U.S. higher education institutions for research. Current research include decreasing foods waste via infrared and ultraviolet light, undergraduate research initiatives, and graduate research opportunities in a vast range of fields.

Southern Illinois University offers a number of online degree programs at the bachelor’s and master’s level. When it comes to computer science-related programs, there are 3 bachelor’s degrees available completely online including a B.S in technical resource management B.S. in information systems technologies, and a B.S. in Industrial Management. The Master’s degree offered is in Health Informatics. This program is formated with 8 week accelerated courses and summer semesters to maximize convenience and flexibility. SIU offers a degree completion program for individuals returning to complete their bachelor’s degrees online. Students learning online at the bachelor’s level may select from either an accelerated pace of a flexible pace to serve their needs. Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are appropriate for both traditional and non-traditional learners. Their Center for Learning Support Services make available academic coaching, tutoring, test prep, and other testing services.

4
University of Illinois at Chicago
CSZ Score: 94/100
Online CS Degrees:3

The University of Illinois at Chicago is a public research university located in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is the third largest city by population in America after New York and Los Angeles. There are 29,048 students enrolled at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), and the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The U.S. News and World Report ranks UIC as the 152nd best school in the nation, and the 78th top public school. The Higher Learning Commission accredits the University of Illinois Chicago to offer bachelor’s, master’s, doctorates, and professional certificates. In fact, students have over 300 diverse courses to choose from and from 14 different colleges and schools. We love the affordability and value of programs offered at UIC and their attention to diversity. UIC is among the top 5 most diverse campuses in the nation and has made a point to focus on eliminating disparities in not only the field of education but also of health and financial opportunity. This goes beyond the campus walls and even further than Chicago- the office of diversity works to improve the quality of life in metropolitan areas across the globe.

The University of Illinois offers quality online degree and certificate programs to aid the working individual who wishes to advance in their career or prefers the flexibility given to those who many study anywhere. These bachelor’s, master’s, and online doctoral degrees are great options for both traditional and non-traditional students. When it comes to computer science-related degrees UIC offers 3- a B.S. in Health Information Management, a Master of Public Health in Public Health Informatics, and M.S. in Health Informatics. The majority of master’s degrees are designed for a 2-year completion plan when enrolled full-time. The Bachelor’s degrees in health information management fully prepare their students for the RHIA certification exam. The student support services are extensive and include their academic center for excellence, African American Academic network, Asian American Resource and Cultural Center, Center for Gender and Sexuality, Learning Resource Center, UIC bookstore, library, the TRIO outreach program, a women in science and engineering center, writing center and many many more.

5
Lewis University
CSZ Score: 94.5/100
Online CS Degrees:7

Lewis University is a private Roman Catholic University located in Romeoville, Illinois. Romeoville is a village community town located about 30 miles outside of Chicago. There are 6,679 students enrolled who benefit from small classes and a student-to-faculty ratio of just 13:1. According to U.S. News Lewis university ranks as the 24th best college in the region, 37th best value school, and 19th best college for veterans. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Lewis University to award bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. There are a number of technical degrees offered as Lewis University was founded as a school for aviation. Today you will find an entire department devoted to aviation and transportation studies along with music, physics, drawing, computer science, theology, and many others. The programming is truly diverse and provides opportunities for liberal arts and sciences in addition to their technical degrees.

Lewis University provides online education for working adults and undergraduates who prefer the flexibility afforded through online learning. When it comes to computer science-based degrees, Lewis University provides 5 fully-online programs including an accelerated B.A. in computer science, and M.S. in computer science, an accelerated B.S. in Information Security and Risk Management, and a B.S. in Information Technology Management, as well as a M.S. in Information Security, M.S. in Data Science, and a M.S. in Business Analytics. Classes online remain small and interactive. The accelerated bachelor’s degrees include 8-week courses to accommodate working individuals as well as traditional students. In addition to 24/7 tech support, tutoring, and writing support, Lewis University offers support for students from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Directory of Online Computer Science Degrees in Illinois

DePaul University Chicago, IL Online CS Degrees: 11




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(312) 362-8000
1 E Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604




UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Arts in Computing Bachelor of Arts in Communication And Media

GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Science in Computer Game Development (Ms)Master of Science in Computer Science (Ms)Master of Science in Computer, Information And Network Security (Ms)Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (Ms)Master of Science in Information
    Systems (Ms)Master of Science in Network Engineering And Management (Ms)Master of Science in Software Engineering (Ms)Master of Science in E-Commerce Technology (Ms)Master of Science in Predictive Analytics (Ms)
Knowledge Systems Institute Skokie, IL Online CS Degrees: 10




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(847) 679-3135
3420 Main St, Skokie, IL 60076


GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Science in Computer Information SystemsMaster of Science in Computer Information Systems with a Concentration in Computer & Information SciencesMaster of Science in Computer Information Systems with a Concentration in Computer Based
    EducationMaster of Science in Computer Information Systems with a Concentration in Computer NetworksMaster of Science in Computer Information Systems with a Concentration in Digital ArtMaster of Science in Computer Information Systems with
    a Concentration in Health InformaticsMaster of Science in Computer Information Systems with a Concentration in Information SecurityMaster of Science in Computer Information Systems with a Concentration in Knowledge ManagementMaster of Science
    in Computer Information Systems with a Concentration in Management Information SystemsMaster of Science in Computer Information Systems with a Concentration in Software Engineering
Lewis University Romeoville, IL Online CS Degrees: 7




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(815) 838-0500
1 University Pkwy, Romeoville, IL 60446




UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management (Accelerated) Bachelor of Science in Information Security And Risk Management (Accelerated)

GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Science in Business Analytics Master of Science in Data Science Mastersof Science in Information Security
Harper College Palatine, IL Online CS Degrees: 5




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(847) 925-6000
1200 W Algonquin Rd, Palatine, IL 60067




UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Associate of Applied Sciences in Computers in Business – ApplicationsAssociate of Applied Sciences in Computers in Business – Computer SupportAssociate of Applied Sciences in Computers in Business – Database ManagementAssociate of Applied
    Sciences in Computers in Business – Management Information SystemsAssociate of Applied Sciences in Computers in Business – Network Administration

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Online CS Degrees: 4




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(217) 333-1000
Champaign, IL


GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Ed.M. Learning Design & Leadership: Foundations of eLearning in Higher Education Master of Computer Science Master of Science in Library and Information Science, Master of Computer Science in Data Science
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL Online CS Degrees: 4




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(618) 453-2121
1263 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901




UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Science in Technical Resource Management Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Technologies Bachelor of Science in Industrial Managementf

GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Science in Information Technology
Elmhurst College Elmhurst, IL Online CS Degrees: 4




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(630) 617-3500
190 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126


GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Market ResearchMaster of Science in Computer Information SystemsMaster of Science in Data ScienceMaster of Science in Applied Geospatial Sciences (Ags)
University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL Online CS Degrees: 3




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(312) 996-7000
1200 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60607




UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management Degree Completion Program

GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Public Health in Public Health Informatics Master of Science in Health Informatics
University of Illinois at Springfield Springfield, IL Online CS Degrees: 3




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(217) 206-6600
One William Maxwell Ln, Springfield, IL 62703




UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Science in Management Information Systems
National Louis University Chicago, IL Online CS Degrees: 2




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(888) 658-8632
122 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603




UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems (Mis)

GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Education in Technology in Education
MacMurray College Jacksonville, IL Online CS Degrees: 2




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(217) 479-7000
447 E College Ave, Jacksonville, IL 62650




UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Homeland Security – Cyber Security Bachelor of Homeland Security – Intelligence

Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Online CS Degrees: 1




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(773) 274-3000
1032 W Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660


GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Science in Information Technology
Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL Online CS Degrees: 1




ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(217) 581-5000
600 Lincoln Ave, Charleston, IL 61920


GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Science in Technology (Champaign, Il)