Computer Scienceat University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Graduates earn $124,530/yr in their first year — about 69.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,460K; scenarios range from $994K to $1,557K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UIUC
The high earnings for Illinois CS graduates aren't just about learning to code; they reflect a powerhouse reputation that brings Silicon Valley and Wall Street directly to central Illinois. Top-tier employers like Google, Meta, and high-frequency trading firms in Chicago actively recruit on campus, competing for talent they view as on par with graduates from any coastal elite school. You're not just getting a degree, you're entering a direct pipeline to some of the most selective and lucrative roles in tech and finance. The program's rigorous, theory-heavy curriculum prepares you to solve fundamental problems, not just perform tasks that AI might automate. To maximize this opportunity, start networking from day one. Attend the career fairs hosted by the Grainger College of Engineering, connect with the powerful alumni network, and aim for a top-tier internship before your senior year.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UIUC's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Computer Science
How UIUC stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UIUC
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UIUC, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Computer Science at UIUC
What does a 90/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
At 90/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Science at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
The 72% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign one of the best schools for Computer Science?
Among 345 Computer Science programs, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's #3 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.