Master of Computer Science
University of Illinois
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Start your application or request more info.
Accredited master's degree
Offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$21,440 USD
Competitively priced with pay-as-you-go tuition
Finish in 12-36 months
8 courses total, 10-12 hours per week
100% online learning
Hands-on learning from anywhere, no travel required
Application Information
Applications are open three times per year, for cohorts starting in the fall, spring, and summer.
Spring 2024 Application Information:
- Final Application Deadline: October 15, 2023
Prepare for the Entrance Exam: The Accelerated Computer Science Fundamentals Specialization is designed to help applicants prepare for the entrance exam for MCS. Enroll now!
Have questions? Please email the Illinois MCS team at online-mcs@cs.illinois.edu.
Advance your career with a master's from a top-5 computer science school.
If you want to launch or advance a successful data science or computer science career, you can learn the most in-demand skills while earning your Master of Computer Science. As a graduate, you’ll be qualified to pursue a variety of roles: scientist, analyst, engineer, leader, and more. In 2023, Fortune ranked University of Illinois as having the #1 Best Online Master’s in Data Science Program.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a global leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. The UIUC Computer Science Department was named a top-5 computer science school in 2022 by U.S. News and World Report. MCS faculty are known for a pioneering legacy, as they have been at the forefront of new industries and technologies.
What’s in this degree program?
Get started today
Start your application or request more info.
Accredited master's degree
Offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$21,440 USD
Competitively priced with pay-as-you-go tuition
Finish in 12-36 months
8 courses total, 10-12 hours per week
100% online learning
Hands-on learning from anywhere, no travel required
Advance your career with a master's from a top-5 computer science school.
If you want to launch or advance a successful data science or computer science career, you can learn the most in-demand skills while earning your Master of Computer Science. As a graduate, you’ll be qualified to pursue a variety of roles: scientist, analyst, engineer, leader, and more. In 2023, Fortune ranked University of Illinois as having the #1 Best Online Master’s in Data Science Program.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a global leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. The UIUC Computer Science Department was named a top-5 computer science school in 2022 by U.S. News and World Report. MCS faculty are known for a pioneering legacy, as they have been at the forefront of new industries and technologies.
What’s in this degree program?
Application Information
Applications are open three times per year, for cohorts starting in the fall, spring, and summer.
Spring 2024 Application Information:
- Final Application Deadline: October 15, 2023
Prepare for the Entrance Exam: The Accelerated Computer Science Fundamentals Specialization is designed to help applicants prepare for the entrance exam for MCS. Enroll now!
Have questions? Please email the Illinois MCS team at online-mcs@cs.illinois.edu.
Choose from pathways in computer science or data science
Master of Computer Science (MCS): The MCS degree is for computing professionals who want to build skills in advanced topics in computer science, such as artificial intelligence, database & information systems, parallel computing, graphics, systems & networking, scientific computing, and more. This degree will accelerate your career and help you move into leading a team of engineers.
Master of Computer Science in Data Science (MCS-DS): The MCS-DS degree gives its graduates full programmable control of the instrumentation of big data as well as the full-stack understanding of how to process the data to discover new insights and optimize organizational decision-making. Students in this track earn the same MCS degree, but their curriculum concentrates on data science courses.
Pay-as-you-go tuition and flexibility to study on your schedule
- $21,440 USD tuition cost With flexible payment options, you can pursue a high-quality education at the pace you choose.
- Pay-as-you-go Pay for your degree as you go. Each time you take a course, pay tuition for that course only. If a scheduling conflict arises, you are free to take a term off and you won’t be charged during that term.
- Financial aid & scholarships The MCS program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and enrolled students are eligible for financial assistance. See the Office of Student Financial Aid for more information.
Advance your career in Computer Science or Data Science
Advance your career
$131,490 average salary
Average salary of a Computer Scientist in the United States (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
21% growth by 2031
The CS field is seeing strong growth, with much higher year-over-year growth (2021-2031) than average.
$145,526 average salary
Average salary of a Data Scientist in the United States (Indeed)
36% job growth by 2031
The DS field is seeing strong growth, with much higher year-over-year growth (2021-2031) than average.
Qualify for in-demand jobs
Computer Scientist
Data Scientist
Computer Programmer
Software Engineer
Computer Systems Analyst
Data Engineer
Business Analyst
Invest in your future with in-demand computer and data science skills
Build expertise and career skills in the most important computer science and data science topics. This degree program includes advanced coursework in artificial intelligence, databases, interactive computing, software engineering, scientific computing, high-performance computing, and more.
Not sure if you’re ready? Try a course
If you would like to get an idea of how the courses are structured in the degree program, or, if you want to get a head start on learning the material for when you start the degree, you can take a Specialization or an Open Content course. Although they do not convey course credit, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the course material before starting the class.
Interested in getting started, but not yet ready to commit?
Prepare for this degree
These courses are related to the degree program. They may provide you with a preview of the topics, materials and instructors covered in a related degree program which can help you decide if it is right for you.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. Whether you study online or on campus, students who complete all degree requirements receive the same Master of Computer Science degree and diploma from the University of Illinois. There will be no mention of “online” or Coursera on your diploma or transcripts.
Yes. Master’s-level CS students should be able to learn new languages so they can develop a rich skill set, which lets them problem-solve using the most appropriate tools. The CS department has some flexibility with language proficiency when possible, to allow students to program in languages they are most comfortable using. Students should already be proficient in at least one compiled object-oriented programming language.
Coursera financial aid is available for the Specializations component of the program.
Domestic students may qualify for Federal Student Aid, since the Master of Computer Science, like all Illinois degrees, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
To earn credit from the University of Illinois, you must be admitted as a degree-seeking student and registered for credit-bearing course(s).
Sign up here to request more information. Additional details about applying to the Master of Computer Science are available here.
If after reviewing all the information on our website and you have questions, you can email the Illinois MCS team at online-mcs@cs.illinois.edu.
An advisor is available online every Friday (other than campus holidays), 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM U.S. Central Time, to answer your questions. Several options are available to join these sessions:
- Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/537909850 https://illinois.zoom.us/j/537909850
- One-tap mobile: +16699006833,,537909850# U.S. (San Jose) or +19292056099,,537909850# U.S. (New York)
- Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): +1 929 205 6099 U.S. (New York) or +1 669 900 6833 U.S. (San Jose) , Meeting ID: 537 909 850
- International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aboFoPVVco&lrm
Yes, admission can be deferred up to three consecutive semesters (i.e. Fall, Spring, Summer). Beginning with Fall 2023 admissions, a one-time non-refundable deferral deposit of $750.00 is required to defer. The deferral deposit will be applied to tuition charges when a student enrolls. Students who select to defer but do not submit payment of the deferral deposit by the deadline forfeit their admission and the student enrollment decision will be updated to "I decline my offer of admission".
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