Computer Science at University of Chicago

Starting at $117,578 and climbing to $175,145 by year four, University of Chicago computer science graduates land among the highest-earning CS professionals in Illinois—outpacing even UIUC's already stellar outcomes. While the debt figure of $26,000 is estimated from similar Illinois programs rather than UChicago's actual data, the remarkable 0.22 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests this program delivers exceptional financial returns. For context, the typical CS bachelor's graduate nationally earns $70,950 their first year; UChicago's grads are pulling in 66% more.

What makes this particularly compelling is the combination of elite outcomes and relatively modest estimated debt. Based on comparable programs in Illinois, graduates would owe roughly the same as their peers statewide while earning nearly double the state median. The 49% earnings growth from year one to year four indicates strong career trajectory, likely reflecting graduates' placement at top tech companies and quantitative finance firms where UChicago's rigorous curriculum and selective student body (5% admission rate, 1554 average SAT) carry significant weight.

For families who can manage the estimated $26,000 in debt—less than a quarter of first-year earnings—this represents one of the strongest financial propositions in computer science education. The uncertainty around the exact debt figure matters less here because even if actual borrowing runs somewhat higher, the earnings premium is so substantial that the investment math still works clearly in graduates' favor.