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Dekalb, IL · Computer science

Computer science at NIU

NIU graduates about 110 computer science majors a year, 4% of its graduating class. That puts it 453rd of 691 schools we score for computer science, a light program at 42 out of 100. Its current catalog lists 39 undergraduate courses in the field, more than 45% of the schools we've counted. Graduates in the major earn a median $93,000 four years out, below the national figure for the same major (0.87×).

42/100Light#453 of 691 for computer science →
Graduates a year1104% of the class
Courses in the catalog39more than 45% of schools
Median pay 4 years out$93,0000.87× the same major nationally
Research in the field$636Ka year, NSF
Admit rate70%whole school

Around NIU

NIU Engineering Building on Garden Rd, November 2013
NIU Engineering Building on Garden RdPhoto: Alexbaumgarner · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
NIU Anthropology Museum in Cole Hall, November 2013
NIU Anthropology Museum in Cole HallPhoto: Alexbaumgarner · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Sculpture titled "The Balance of Equality", a 17-foot-tall stone sculpture insta
The Balance of EqualityPhoto: MuZemike · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Davis Hall from Central Quad at Northern Illinois University.
Davis Hall from Central Quad at NIUPhoto: Alexbaumgarner · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

Where computer science happens

Buildings on campus that fit the field: Engineering Building, Computer Science & Psychology Building.

Named buildings on the campus map: Academic 72 · Dorm 15 · Athletics 6 · Student housing 6 · Chapel 2 · Arts 1.

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Nearby in the computer science ranking

  1. Covenant College 43
  2. San Francisco State University 42
  3. University of North Georgia 42
  4. Montclair State University 42
  5. Frostburg State University 42
  6. University of Michigan–Flint 42
  7. SUNY New Paltz 42
  8. Bowling Green State University 42

Other strong majors at NIU

How the score works

The score is out of 100 and compares NIU with every school we score in computer science. It weighs the school's overall strength; how many students graduate in the major and what share of the class they are; research spending in the field (NSF); early pay against the same major nationally; how many courses the catalog lists; and test scores. 80+ is a standout program, 65+ strong, 45+ solid. Sources: US Department of Education (College Scorecard, IPEDS), NSF HERD, each school's current course catalog, OpenStreetMap and Wikimedia Commons.

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