Illinois Community Colleges
Computer Science Programs
Computer science and IT pathways at community colleges in this state. Programming, networking, cybersecurity, and transfer-track CS courses.
11 colleges · 428 sections · 206 unique courses · Fall 2026
Illinois community colleges offer two distinct CS pathways: an associate of applied science (AAS) for students aiming directly at help-desk, network admin, or junior developer roles, and a transfer-track AS that articulates to a bachelor's in computer science at a four-year school. The 428 sections this term across 11 Illinois Community Colleges institutions cover programming (Python, Java, JavaScript), data structures, networking, cybersecurity, and intro computer science theory.
Two-year CC programs aren't a shortcut to a software engineering career — most SWE roles still require a bachelor's — but the IT-support, sysadmin, and cybersecurity-tech career paths absolutely start here. For students who want to be a software developer, the transfer-track AS lets you complete two years at community-college tuition before continuing to a CS bachelor's, with credit articulation in place at most Illinois four-year programs.
Colleges offering Computer Science
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | 187 | 67 | 82 | — | — |
| Oakton College | 76 | 51 | 69 | — | — |
| Parkland College | 47 | 35 | 18 | — | — |
| Waubonsee Community College | 45 | 31 | 19 | — | — |
| Danville Area Community College | 23 | 13 | 11 | — | — |
| Triton College | 20 | 16 | 10 | — | — |
| Morton College | 15 | 13 | — | — | — |
| South Suburban College | 5 | 5 | 1 | — | — |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
| McHenry County College | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| Olney Central College | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Computer Science Availability Snapshot
How computer science sections are being offered across 11 colleges in Illinois this term (428 sections total).
Delivery format
- online211 (49%)
- in person162 (38%)
- hybrid55 (13%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)80
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)69
- Evening (5 PM and after)73
- Asynchronous / TBA206
Start dates
Sections begin on 22 distinct dates. 154 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 129 distinct instructors across 11 colleges.
Common Computer Science courses
- CIS 1400Programming Logic & Technique(14 sections)
- CIS 1150Computers/Information/Systems(11 sections)
- CIS 101Introduction to Computer Information Systems(9 sections)
- CIT 1121Introduction to Networks(8 sections)
- CIS 110Business Information Systems(7 sections)
- CIS 1221Data Analysis w Spreadsheets(7 sections)
- CIS 115Introduction to Programming(6 sections)
- CIS 2531Intro to Python Programming(6 sections)
- CIT 1100IT Fundamentals(6 sections)
- CSCI 101Intro to Python Programming(5 sections)
- CIS 1655AI Technical Essentials(5 sections)
- CIT 1111Computr & Hardware Maintenance(5 sections)
Career outlook for Computer Science graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Illinois’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I become a software engineer with an associate degree?
- Possible but uncommon. Most software engineering roles require a bachelor's in computer science or equivalent experience. The realistic CC-grad direct path is IT support / help desk → junior systems administrator → systems engineer, often with industry certifications (CompTIA Network+, Security+, AWS) earned alongside the degree.
- Does community college CS credit transfer to a CS bachelor's?
- Yes, if you pick the transfer-track AS rather than the career-track AAS. The two tracks share courses but have different math sequences — transfer-track requires Calculus I and II; AAS often uses applied math or business math. Confirm with your target four-year school's transfer office before enrolling.
- What programming languages do Illinois community colleges teach?
- Python is dominant for intro courses and data-science tracks. Java is common in transfer-track CS sequences (mirroring what most four-year schools teach in their first two years). JavaScript appears in web-development AAS programs. C++ shows up in some game-dev and embedded-systems tracks. Check each college's catalog below for specifics.
- Is cybersecurity a good track at Illinois CCs?
- Yes — it's one of the highest-employment direct-career paths from a CC. Most Illinois community college cybersecurity programs are aligned with the NSA / DHS Center of Academic Excellence framework and prepare students for industry certifications like Security+ and CySA+. Graduates step into SOC analyst, junior pen-test, or IT-security-admin roles.
Compare Computer Science programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Illinois’s computer science programs stack up.
Other programs in Illinois
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.