Top 3 Database Administration Programs in Illinois 2025
Northwestern University
Elite program with 95% graduation rate and strong connections to Chicago financial firms requiring database expertise
University of Chicago
Research-focused program with emphasis on data science and analytics, leading to high-paying roles in finance and consulting
Illinois Institute of Technology
Career-focused program with strong industry partnerships and hands-on experience with enterprise database systems
- 1.Illinois has 20+ accredited database administration and related information systems programs across public and private universities
- 2.Northwestern University ranks #1 in Illinois with 95% graduation rate and strong placement in Chicago's financial sector
- 3.University of Illinois system offers quality education at $15,000-$17,000 in-state tuition versus $50,000+ at private institutions
- 4.Illinois database administrators earn median $98,420 annually—slightly above the national median of $96,710
- 5.Chicago metro area provides 15,000+ database and systems administration jobs across finance, healthcare, and technology sectors
Database Administration Education in Illinois
Illinois offers strong database administration and information systems programs, particularly benefiting from Chicago's position as a major financial and technology center. The state's universities provide pathways from community colleges to elite private institutions, with programs emphasizing both theoretical foundations and practical enterprise database management skills.
For comparison with programs nationwide, see our database administration degree hub. Students considering broader IT options should explore our information technology programs or computer science degrees. Career-focused students can review our comprehensive database administrator salary analysis and job market data.
Chicago's thriving financial services sector, combined with growing healthcare and technology industries, creates strong demand for database professionals. Major employers like CME Group, Abbott Labs, Boeing, and Allstate maintain large database operations, providing excellent internship and career opportunities for Illinois graduates.
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Illinois May 2024
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Class size and accessibility to professors
Illinois-specific salaries from BLS OEWS
Acceptance rate indicating program rigor
Illinois Database Administration Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern University | Evanston | Private | $65,997 | 95% | 6:1 | 96.8 |
| 2 | University of Chicago | Chicago | Private | $64,965 | 96% | 5:1 | 95.2 |
| 3 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago | Private | $54,720 | 69% | 13:1 | 89.4 |
| 4 | University of Illinois at Chicago | Chicago | Public | $15,058 | 62% | 18:1 | 85.7 |
| 5 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Urbana | Public | $16,866 | 85% | 20:1 | 84.9 |
| 6 | DePaul University | Chicago | Private | $45,361 | 71% | 15:1 | 82.3 |
| 7 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago | Private | $51,000 | 73% | 14:1 | 81.8 |
| 8 | Northern Illinois University | DeKalb | Public | $12,345 | 54% | 16:1 | 78.2 |
| 9 | Illinois State University | Normal | Public | $14,394 | 71% | 18:1 | 77.5 |
| 10 | Southern Illinois University | Carbondale | Public | $14,364 | 49% | 14:1 | 74.8 |
| 11 | Western Illinois University | Macomb | Public | $12,447 | 55% | 12:1 | 73.1 |
| 12 | Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | Public | $11,832 | 58% | 14:1 | 72.4 |
| 13 | Chicago State University | Chicago | Public | $10,938 | 21% | 11:1 | 68.9 |
| 14 | Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | Public | $12,256 | 31% | 13:1 | 67.5 |
| 15 | Governors State University | University Park | Public | $11,688 | 35% | 10:1 | 66.8 |
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • University
Program Highlights
- • Average starting salary: $85,000-$95,000
- • 98% job placement rate within 6 months
- • Direct recruiting from major Chicago employers
- • Graduate school acceptance rate: 45%
Program Strengths
- Elite 6:1 student-faculty ratio ensuring personalized attention
- 95% graduation rate—highest among Illinois institutions
- Strong alumni network in Chicago financial services
- Access to cutting-edge database research facilities
- Internship partnerships with CME Group, Northern Trust, and Citadel
Why Ranked #1
Northwestern leads Illinois in database administration education through its comprehensive Computer Science program with database specialization tracks. The program combines rigorous academic foundation with practical experience through partnerships with Chicago's financial sector.
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • University
Program Highlights
- • Average starting salary: $90,000-$100,000
- • High placement in fintech and consulting
- • Graduate school pipeline to top-tier programs
- • Research opportunities with faculty
Program Strengths
- World-class research in database systems and data science
- 96% graduation rate with rigorous academic standards
- 5:1 student-faculty ratio enabling close mentorship
- Strong placement in financial technology roles
- Access to university's extensive research databases
Why Ranked #2
The University of Chicago's Computer Science program offers exceptional database and data systems education with strong research focus. Students benefit from the university's analytical culture and connections to quantitative finance firms requiring sophisticated database skills.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL • University
Program Highlights
- • Average starting salary: $75,000-$85,000
- • 85% job placement rate
- • Strong alumni network in Chicago tech sector
- • Industry certifications integrated into curriculum
Program Strengths
- Career-focused curriculum with industry partnerships
- Hands-on experience with Oracle, SQL Server, and MongoDB
- Strong co-op and internship program
- 13:1 student-faculty ratio for personalized instruction
- Downtown Chicago location near major employers
Why Ranked #3
IIT's Information Technology and Management program provides practical, career-focused database administration education. The program emphasizes hands-on experience with enterprise systems and maintains strong industry connections throughout Chicago.
Illinois University Systems for Database Administration
Illinois offers database administration education through multiple pathways, each serving different student needs and career goals. The University of Illinois system provides the most comprehensive public options, while private institutions offer specialized programs with smaller class sizes.
The University of Illinois system includes three main campuses offering information systems and computer science programs with database specializations. UI Chicago provides urban access to internships, while UI Urbana-Champaign offers the flagship computer science program. UI Springfield focuses on practical applications for working professionals.
Chicago's private universities—Northwestern, University of Chicago, IIT, DePaul, and Loyola—each offer distinct approaches to database education. Northwestern and UChicago focus on research and theory, while IIT and DePaul emphasize practical skills and industry connections. Students should consider computer science programs in Illinois for broader options or information technology programs for applied focus.
Community colleges throughout Illinois offer associate degrees and certificates in database administration, providing affordable entry points and transfer pathways to four-year programs. Many working professionals begin with community college courses while maintaining employment.
Career Paths
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1244Design, implement, and maintain database systems for organizations. Handle backup, recovery, security, and performance optimization.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Extract insights from large datasets using statistical analysis and machine learning. Strong database skills essential for data pipeline management.
Software Engineer
SOC 15-1252Develop applications that interact with databases. Database knowledge crucial for backend development and system architecture.
Systems Administrator
SOC 15-1244Manage computer systems including database servers. Responsible for system security, updates, and user access management.
Business Intelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2051Transform business data into actionable insights using database queries and reporting tools.
Source: Database and systems administration jobs across Chicago metro area including CME Group, Abbott Labs, Boeing, Allstate, McDonald's, and Caterpillar
Database Administration Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Washington
| Factor | Public Universities | Private Universities | Community Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-State Tuition | $12,000-$17,000 | $45,000-$66,000 | $3,500-$5,000 |
| Class Size | 15-25 students | 10-20 students | 20-30 students |
| Industry Connections | Strong (public research) | Excellent (alumni networks) | Good (local partnerships) |
| Research Opportunities | Excellent | Outstanding | Limited |
| Job Placement | 75-85% | 85-95% | 70-80% |
| Time to Degree | 4 years | 4 years | 2 years (Associate) |
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to Chicago's major financial and tech employers
- Strong job market with 15,000+ database positions
- Affordable public university options ($12K-$17K tuition)
- Mix of theoretical and practical program approaches
- Networking opportunities in America's third-largest city
- Internship access at Fortune 500 headquarters
- Silicon Valley tech culture (California)
- No state income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington)
- Lower cost of living (many other states)
- Warmer climate year-round
- More specialized database/analytics programs
- Stronger venture capital and startup ecosystem
Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Database Administration Programs
Related Database Administration Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Official education statistics including enrollment, graduation rates, and tuition data for 2023
Illinois-specific salary and employment data for database administrators and related occupations, May 2024
Institutional data including student-faculty ratios, selectivity, and program offerings
State-specific data on higher education institutions and degree programs
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.