Computer Science at University of Illinois Springfield

UIS Computer Science graduates earn $72,657 in their first year and see earnings grow to over $84,000 by year four—solid numbers that beat Illinois' median by about 7% and place this program in the 60th percentile statewide. More impressively, graduates carry just $30,301 in debt, well below both state and national medians. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 means graduates owe less than five months of their first year's salary, making this program financially manageable from day one.

The tradeoff here is ceiling versus access. UIS won't deliver the six-figure starting salaries you'll find at UIUC or Northwestern—those schools' CS graduates earn 40-70% more right out of the gate. But UIS's 84% admission rate and lower debt load create a viable path to a tech career without the competitive admissions gauntlet or the financial stress. The 16% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are building stable careers, even if they're not landing elite tech positions.

For families seeking a straightforward entry into tech without gambling on selective admissions or taking on crushing debt, this program delivers. Your child gets industry-relevant credentials, reasonable starting pay, and the financial flexibility to take career risks or pursue graduate education. It's not the program for landing at Google straight out of college, but it's a smart choice for building a solid middle-class tech career in the Midwest.