Location: Lisle, IL•In-State Tuition: $17,488•Admission Rate: 43%•Avg SAT: 1050
Median Earnings (1yr)
$32,159
25th percentile
Median Debt
$48,849
81% above national median
D/E Ratio: 1.52 ElevatedSample: 130 graduates

Analysis

DeVry University-Illinois graduates with software degrees earn $38,887 four years out—about $4,600 less than the Illinois median and nearly $16,000 below what DePaul software graduates make. More concerning, they're carrying $48,849 in debt to get there, which is dramatically higher than both the state median ($36,049) and national benchmark ($27,000). This program ranks at the 25th percentile for earnings among Illinois software programs while sitting at the 5th percentile for debt nationally—meaning 95% of comparable programs leave students with less debt burden.

The math here is stark: first-year earnings of $32,159 barely cover two-thirds of the debt load, creating immediate financial pressure. While earnings do grow 21% over four years, that growth only brings graduates to roughly $39,000—still well below what most Illinois software programs deliver. For a field where starting salaries often exceed $50,000 at stronger programs, this represents a significant opportunity cost.

For families considering this program, understand that your child would likely graduate with nearly 50% more debt than typical software students while earning 25% less than peers at other Illinois schools. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances that make DeVry the only viable option, Illinois has multiple programs offering better debt-to-earnings outcomes in this high-demand field.

Where DeVry University-Illinois Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer software and media applications bachelors's programs nationally

DeVry University-IllinoisOther computer software and media applications programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How DeVry University-Illinois graduates compare to all programs nationally

DeVry University-Illinois earns $32k — 25th percentile among computer software and media applications bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
DeVry University-Illinois$32,159$38,887+21%
University of Southern California$103,071$134,326+30%
Rochester Institute of Technology$69,052$84,214+22%
Academy of Art University$45,387$72,792+60%
Baker College$41,784$71,920+72%

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Computer Software and Media Applications bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (8 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
DeVry University-IllinoisLisle$17,488$32,159$38,887$48,8491.52
DePaul UniversityChicago$44,460$54,859—$23,2490.42
National Median—$38,234—$27,0000.71

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer software and media applications graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At DeVry University-Illinois, approximately 65% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 130 graduates with reported earnings and 144 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.