Computer Science at Governors State University

Governors State University's Computer Science program earns about $19,000 less than the typical Illinois CS graduate—ranking in just the 25th percentile statewide. At $52,115 one year out, graduates make roughly $18,800 below the national median for the field. This gap is substantial in a profession where even mid-tier programs often deliver strong starting salaries, and it suggests the program may lack the same industry connections or curriculum depth found at Illinois' stronger CS schools.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $17,750, it's notably lower than both state and national medians. The 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio is reasonable, and with over half the student body on Pell grants, the program clearly serves students who need affordable options. However, "affordable" doesn't automatically mean "good value" when earnings lag so far behind. A CS graduate here makes $32,000 less than someone from U of I Urbana-Champaign—that's enough to repay the entire debt multiple times over in year one alone.

For a parent, the calculation is straightforward: if your child can gain admission to Illinois' more competitive CS programs, the higher earnings easily justify any additional debt. Governors State might work as a backup plan for students focused on staying near Chicago's south suburbs or those who need the lower debt load, but entering the tech job market at the 25th percentile for Illinois means playing catch-up from day one.