Computer Engineering at University of Illinois Chicago

UIC's Computer Engineering program lands graduates right at the Illinois median for earnings—$71,148 in the first year—but trails the national average by nearly $8,000. Among Illinois schools, it sits squarely in the middle at the 40th percentile, though it's significantly behind UIUC's graduates who earn $103,000. The manageable $22,000 debt load is actually below both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 that most families can work with.

The earnings trajectory here is notably flat, with just a 6% increase over four years to $75,299. That's concerning for a technical field where you'd typically expect stronger salary growth as skills develop. The program's 23rd percentile ranking nationally confirms this isn't a standout performer, though its accessibility (79% admission rate) and mission to serve first-generation students (50% on Pell grants) may explain some of the difference.

For families prioritizing low debt over maximum earnings potential, this works—you'll graduate with less debt than most computer engineering students and start earning enough to manage it comfortably. But if your child has the academic credentials for UIUC or IIT, those programs deliver substantially better returns. UIC makes sense primarily for Chicago-area students seeking an affordable engineering degree with modest debt, not for those chasing top salaries in tech.