Computer and Information Sciences at Elmhurst University

Based on comparable computer science programs in Illinois, Elmhurst appears to deliver middle-of-the-road outcomes in a field known for strong earning potential. The estimated $57,032 first-year salary tracks exactly with the state median but falls about 7% below the national benchmark of $61,322. More concerning is the gap with Illinois peers: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates start near $114,000, while even regional public universities like Illinois State and Western Illinois place graduates above $62,000.

The estimated $24,536 debt load is manageable—representing less than half the first year's salary—and aligns closely with both state and national norms for computer science degrees. That 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates should be able to handle loan payments without serious financial strain, assuming the earnings estimates hold true.

The real question is whether Elmhurst's smaller program (hence the suppressed data) provides advantages that justify potentially lower starting salaries compared to larger Illinois competitors. If your child thrives in intimate learning environments and values personalized attention, that trade-off might make sense. But if maximizing early career earnings is the priority, the data from peer programs suggests looking at Illinois's public universities or larger private institutions with established tech recruiting pipelines. Request actual placement data directly from Elmhurst's career services to see where recent graduates actually landed.