Computer Science at UIUC vs Michigan: Which Degree Is Worth More in 2026?

The Quick Comparison

	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Type	Public	Public
Location	Champaign, IL	Ann Arbor, MI
Median Salary	$0/yr	$0/yr
Annual Net Cost	$15,201/yr	$14,832/yr
4-Year Total Cost	$60,804	$59,328
Completion Rate	85%	93%
Value Score	6/100	7/100

Cost Breakdown

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign costs $15,201 per year after financial aid, totaling approximately $60,804 over four years. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor comes in at $14,832 per year, or $59,328 total.

That's a difference of $1,476 over four years. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is the more affordable option.

Earnings After Graduation

Computer Science graduates from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign earn a median of $0 per year within one year of graduation. Graduates from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor earn $0.

Both programs produce graduates with similar earnings. Over a 10-year career, that difference compounds significantly.

The Verdict

Based on the Value Score — which factors in cost, earnings, break-even time, and completion rate — University of Michigan-Ann Arbor delivers better overall value for a Computer Science degree.

However, the "right" choice depends on your specific financial situation, career goals, and personal fit. A school that's cheaper but has lower earnings might still be the better choice if you graduate debt-free, and a more expensive school might be worth it if it opens specific career doors in your field.

Use the links below to see the full scorecard for each program, or use the compare tool to add a third school to the mix.