Computer Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

UIUC Computer Engineering graduates start at $103,000—that's $31,000 above the Illinois median and nearly $25,000 above even the state's top-ranked program at Illinois Institute of Technology. This places UIUC in the 80th percentile among Illinois schools and the 95th percentile nationally, proving its computer engineering program competes at an elite level despite being more accessible than similarly-performing schools.

The $20,500 median debt is reasonable relative to first-year earnings, creating a debt-to-income ratio of just 0.20. While this debt figure sits at the 75th percentile nationally (meaning some programs saddle students with less), the strong earnings more than compensate. By year four, graduates typically earn $122,000—an 18% jump that suggests these engineers are advancing into senior technical or management roles. With robust data from 100+ graduates, these aren't outlier results.

For families comparing Illinois options, UIUC delivers outcomes that justify any premium over other in-state schools. The combination of strong starting salaries, manageable debt, and solid earnings trajectory makes this one of the clearest positive ROI programs in the state. The 44% admission rate also means this isn't an unattainable reach for strong students.