Computer and Information Sciences at Loyola University Chicago

Loyola Chicago's computer science graduates earn nearly $69,000 in their first year—about $12,000 more than the typical Illinois CS graduate and $7,600 above the national median. This places the program in the 60th percentile statewide, a respectable position though well behind UIUC's elite outcomes. With debt held to $22,700, below both state and national averages, the program delivers a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33. That's roughly four months of gross salary, which most graduates can handle comfortably while living in Chicago.

The gap between Loyola and top-tier programs like UIUC is significant—$45,000 in first-year earnings—but Loyola's 81% admission rate makes it accessible to a much broader range of students. For families weighing options, this program offers solid middle-ground value: genuinely competitive starting salaries without the debt burden that saddles graduates from some private competitors. The moderate sample size suggests stable data, though outcomes for individual students will vary based on specialization and job market conditions.

If your child can get direct admission to CS at a strong public like Illinois State for less money, that's worth considering. But among accessible private options in Chicago, Loyola delivers reasonable value—you're paying for the urban location and Jesuit network, and graduates are landing jobs that justify the investment.