How do I earn credit from the University of Illinois?‎

To earn credit from the University of Illinois, you must be admitted as a degree-seeking student and registered for credit-bearing course(s).

I’m interested and have more questions. Where do I go for more information?‎

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/537909850One-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 850International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aboFoPVVco‎&lrm

Master of Computer Science

Apply

Final deadline for Fall is May 30, 2025. Apply today!

Master of Computer Science

University of Illinois

Accredited master's degree

Offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

$19,840 - $24,128 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 2024, Fortune ranked University of Illinois as having one of the Best Online Master’s in Data Science Program.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a global leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. The UIUC Siebel School of Computing and Data Science was named a top-5 computer science school in 2024 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?

8 courses (32 credit hours) accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Choose between the Computer Science or Data Science paths

Apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory to real-word problems

Get lectures and quizzes on demand, and chat with professors and teaching assistants in virtual office hours and on discussion boards

Join one of the largest alumni networks, with more than 800,000 alumni worldwide

Application Information

Applications are open three times per year, for cohorts starting in the fall, spring, and summer.

Fall 2025 Application Information:

Application deadline: May 30, 2025.

Have questions? Please email the Illinois MCS team at online-mcs@siebelschool.illinois.edu .

Final deadline: May 30, 2025

Start your application or request more info.

Apply

Accredited master's degree

Offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

$19,840 - $24,128 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

Accredited master's degree

Offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

$19,840 - $24,128 USD

Competitively priced with pay-as-you-go tuition

Advance your career with a master's from a top-5 computer science school.

What’s in this degree program?

8 courses (32 credit hours) accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Choose between the Computer Science or Data Science paths

Apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory to real-word problems

Get lectures and quizzes on demand, and chat with professors and teaching assistants in virtual office hours and on discussion boards

Join one of the largest alumni networks, with more than 800,000 alumni worldwide

Application Information

Applications are open three times per year, for cohorts starting in the fall, spring, and summer.

Fall 2025 Application Information:

Application deadline: May 30, 2025.

Have questions? Please email the Illinois MCS team at online-mcs@siebelschool.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.

Learn about the curriculum

Pay-as-you-go tuition and flexibility to study on your schedule

Discover the Top 10 Affordable Online Masters in Data Science Programs for 2024, by Fortune!

$19,840 - $24,128 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.

Learn about tuition & financing

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.

Learn more about the curriculum

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.

Prepare for this degree

These courses may provide you with a preview of the topics, materials and instructors in a related degree program which can help you decide if the topic or university is right for you.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Data Mining
Analyze Text, Discover Patterns, Visualize Data
Intermediate · Specialization
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Hands-on Internet of Things
Gain real-world experience with IoT
Intermediate · Specialization
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Cloud Computing
Clouds, Distributed Systems, Networking
Intermediate · Specialization

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.

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".