Quick disambiguation, since it matters: Illinois Institute of Technology — almost always called "Illinois Tech," sometimes "IIT Chicago" — is a private American research university with no institutional relationship to the Indian Institutes of Technology. With that cleared up, Illinois Tech's Computer Science program, housed in its dedicated College of Computing, is one of the university's flagship departments: graduate students outnumber undergraduates nearly two to one on campus, and CS is consistently one of the most heavily enrolled programs among Illinois Tech's large international student population. For applicants who want a real US STEM degree with strong OPT relevance, a comparatively accessible admissions bar, and one of the most transparent conditional-admission pathways of any US university, Illinois Tech CS is a genuinely strong, realistic target.
This guide covers exactly what it takes to get into Illinois Tech's Computer Science program — acceptance rate, real costs, requirements, English-test rules, and career outcomes.
Acceptance Rate
Illinois Tech does not publish a Computer Science-specific acceptance rate. Here's what's actually known:
- Illinois Tech's university-wide undergraduate acceptance rate is approximately 55% — considerably more accessible than elite private universities, while the school retains genuine STEM research credentials.
- A single university-wide graduate acceptance rate isn't published; admission is managed at the department level. Illinois Tech's own overview data notes that STEM master's programs — Computer Science, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence specifically — are generally the most accessible of its graduate offerings, reflecting how heavily the university's graduate population leans on international STEM enrollment.
- Because Computer Science is one of Illinois Tech's largest and most established departments (with dedicated undergraduate, master's, and PhD tracks), it doesn't carry the artificially scarce feel of an oversubscribed boutique program the way it might at a smaller elite school.
Bottom line: treat the 55% undergraduate figure as the only hard number available, and treat Computer Science's graduate admission as comparatively accessible relative to Illinois Tech's other departments, without a precise published rate to cite.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Illinois Tech charges one flat tuition rate regardless of citizenship, since it's a private university with no in-state/out-of-state distinction:
| Cost Item | Undergraduate BS CS (USD/year) | Graduate MS CS (USD/year) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $53,198 | $34,650 |
| Fees + living expenses | $20,398 | ~$20,398 |
| Total estimated cost of attendance | $73,596 | ~$55,048 |
Graduate tuition is based on a standard 18-credit-hour annual course load; actual cost varies with your specific enrollment pace. Over a four-year BS, total sticker-price cost runs roughly $294,000 before scholarships; a two-year MS in Computer Science runs approximately $110,000. Undergraduate applicants pay no application fee at all via the Common Application — a genuine, uncommon perk among private universities. Illinois Tech's undergraduate merit scholarships are awarded automatically at admission, ranging from $10,000/year up to full tuition based on academic record, with no separate application required and eligibility open to international students. Graduate students more commonly fund their studies through departmental graduate assistantships, which combine a stipend with partial or full tuition remission — especially common in Computer Science.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate (BS in Computer Science):
- Common Application — no application fee
- Official/certified secondary school transcripts covering the last three full years of grades, with certified English translations if needed
- English language proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo) unless exempt
- SAT or ACT scores — optional; Illinois Tech is test-optional and superscores any submitted results (middle-50% SAT range among those who submitted was roughly 1180-1400)
- Letters of recommendation (required for Early Decision/Early Action, optional otherwise)
- Passport copy, submitted after admission and enrollment deposit
- Financial documentation for I-20 visa processing
Graduate (MS in Computer Science):
- Online graduate application (fee varies by program; confirm with the Office of Graduate Admissions)
- Official transcripts showing a completed four-year bachelor's degree, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Personal statement outlining academic and professional goals
- Resume/CV
- One letter of recommendation (two for PhD applicants)
- GRE scores — optional for most master's programs, including the MS in Computer Science
- English proficiency scores unless exempt
- Financial Affidavit of Responsibility with proof of liquid funds for I-20 processing
Deadlines (Fall intake): Undergraduate Early Decision (binding) November 1, Early Action November 15, Regular Decision February 1. Graduate Master's/Certificate programs November 15, with PhD priority October 1.
How to Get Into Illinois Tech's Computer Science Program
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Skip the SAT/ACT if it isn't your strongest asset. Illinois Tech is fully test-optional for undergraduate admission, and STEM-track admits in 2023 averaged a 4.12 GPA — a strong transcript and essay narrative carry real weight without a standardized test score.
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Use the named Conditional Admission pathway if your English score is below the bar, rather than repeatedly resitting a test. This is a real, specific program with named partner institutions (detailed below), not a vague promise — one of Illinois Tech's biggest practical advantages over less transparent competitors.
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For the MS in Computer Science, don't assume the GRE strengthens a borderline application by default. Since GRE is optional for most CS master's applicants, a personal statement genuinely tied to a specific research area, faculty member, or program strength (AI, data science, systems) matters more once GPA and English-score bars are cleared.
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Take advantage of the $0 undergraduate application fee to apply broadly within Illinois Tech's programs. Since there's no financial barrier to applying, undergraduate CS applicants lose nothing by also exploring adjacent tracks (Data Science, AI) that draw on the same College of Computing.
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Confirm current graduate application fee and program-specific requirements directly. Unlike the undergraduate process, graduate application fees and some program requirements aren't published university-wide — check with the Office of Graduate Admissions for the College of Computing specifically.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Illinois Tech's Computer Science program follows Illinois Tech's standard English-proficiency policy:
- Undergraduate: IELTS 6.5 minimum, TOEFL iBT 80 minimum, Duolingo 115 minimum
- Graduate: IELTS 6.5 overall minimum (no subsection below 6.0), TOEFL iBT 80 minimum (equivalent to 4.5 on ETS's redesigned scale for tests taken from January 21, 2026), Duolingo 115 overall (110 in each subsection)
- Alternative benchmarks: SAT EBRW 550+, ACT English 25+, AP English score of 4-5, IB English 5-7 (SL/HL), GCE/GCSE/IGCSE English grade A or B, Chinese Gaokao English 120+, or roughly a 60%/B-average Indian Standard XII English mark can substitute for a separate English test
- PTE Academic: not listed as an accepted test on Illinois Tech's admissions pages — confirm directly with admissions if PTE is your only available option
Conditional Admission — a real, named pathway: applicants who meet academic and financial requirements but score as low as TOEFL 70 (subscores 10+), IELTS 5.5 (subscores 5.0+), or Duolingo 100 (subscores 90+) — or who submit no English score at all — can still be admitted conditionally. Conditionally admitted students complete an English program at one of three named partner institutions (Kaplan International Center, ELS Education Services, or The Language Company) and then receive an automatic TOEFL/IELTS waiver, moving to unconditional admission with no new application cycle. For general Illinois Tech admissions context, see the Illinois Institute of Technology guide.
Career Outcomes
Illinois Tech does not publish CS-specific employment or salary data, but university-wide figures and CS-relevant infrastructure give a strong proxy:
- Graduation rate: 71% (university-wide undergraduate figure)
- Salary ranking: Illinois Tech was ranked #1 in Illinois for best salaries of graduates by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse in 2026 — a figure CS graduates, among the highest-earning fields nationally, likely sit well above
- STEM-OPT eligibility: Illinois Tech's Computer Science graduate programs are STEM-designated, unlocking the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of the standard 12-month period, for up to 36 months of total US work authorization
- Elevate initiative: every undergraduate is guaranteed hands-on research, co-op, or industry-project experience before graduation, alongside the Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) Program unique to Illinois Tech
Combined with direct access to Chicago's large tech and engineering employer base, Illinois Tech Computer Science graduates have a genuinely practical runway into US tech careers — particularly relevant for applicants who want strong OPT-related outcomes without needing a near-perfect application.
FAQ
Is Illinois Institute of Technology the same as an IIT in India? No. Illinois Institute of Technology is a private American university in Chicago with no institutional relationship to the Indian Institutes of Technology. They share the "IIT" acronym by coincidence only.
Does Illinois Tech publish a Computer Science-specific acceptance rate? No. The only published figure is the university-wide undergraduate rate of approximately 55%. Graduate admission isn't published university-wide, though STEM master's programs like Computer Science are noted as generally the most accessible of Illinois Tech's graduate offerings.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for Illinois Tech Computer Science? Both undergraduate and graduate require IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80 for direct, unconditional admission (Duolingo 115 also accepted). Graduate applicants must additionally clear an IELTS subsection minimum of 6.0.
Does Illinois Tech offer conditional admission for Computer Science applicants below the English requirement? Yes — a specifically named Conditional Admission (Conditional English Student) program lets applicants scoring as low as TOEFL 70, IELTS 5.5, or Duolingo 100 be admitted conditionally, complete an English program at a partner institution, and move to unconditional admission without reapplying.
How much does Illinois Tech's Computer Science program cost? Undergraduate tuition is $53,198/year (total cost of attendance ~$73,596/year); graduate (MS) tuition is $34,650/year (total cost of attendance ~$55,048/year, based on an 18-credit-hour annual load).
Is the GRE required for Illinois Tech's MS in Computer Science? No — GRE is optional for most master's programs at Illinois Tech, including the MS in Computer Science. It's required mainly for PhD applicants.