Computer Science at Quincy University

Computer science programs in Illinois show enormous variation—from mid-$70,000s at smaller schools to well over $100,000 at flagship universities. For Quincy University, the available indicators suggest typical outcomes: peer programs in Illinois produce first-year earnings around $71,000 with median debt near $26,000. That 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio sits comfortably in manageable territory, meaning students at comparable programs typically earn roughly three times their debt in their first year.

The challenge here is context. While similar Illinois CS programs hit the state median, that median itself trails what Illinois tech employers actually pay—as evidenced by graduates from U of I or IIT earning 20-75% more. A 50% admission rate and modest test scores suggest Quincy serves a different student population than those powerhouses, but the question becomes whether a smaller program can deliver the same technical rigor, recruiting pipeline, and alumni network that drive those higher salaries. Computer science rewards both skills and connections, and smaller programs sometimes struggle to provide the latter.

Given the limited graduate data requiring estimation, verify what you can directly: Does Quincy's CS program have active industry partnerships? What percentage of recent grads landed developer roles versus adjacent positions? The estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if actual outcomes align, but in a field where top Illinois programs nearly double the median, understanding what differentiates this program matters considerably for long-term earnings trajectory.