Computer and Information Sciences at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

UIUC's computer science program produces graduates earning nearly double the national median—$113,503 versus $61,322—while keeping debt to just $19,399. That 0.17 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates theoretically repay their entire debt load in roughly two months of work. Among Illinois CS programs, this ranks at the 95th percentile, significantly outpacing even strong regional competitors like Loyola ($68,950) and Illinois State ($65,127).

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) requires caution, but the magnitude of difference here is striking enough to be meaningful. Even if actual outcomes vary somewhat, the program clearly channels students toward high-paying tech roles that most computer science programs don't consistently access. The $1,418 average SAT suggests UIUC admits strong students who might succeed anywhere, yet the outcome gap between this program and other top-tier Illinois schools remains substantial.

For families who can manage UIUC's in-state or out-of-state costs, this represents one of the clearest positive returns in computer science education. The debt burden is manageable by any standard, and first-year earnings position graduates to handle loans comfortably while building savings. Just verify this specific degree program (not the more selective CS+Engineering track) matches these outcomes before enrolling.