Applications for Spring 2026 are open! Apply by October 15 to secure your place.
Master of Computer Science
University of Illinois
Accredited degree
Offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
12-36 months
8 courses total, 10-12 hours per week
$19,840-$24,864 USD total cost
Competitively priced with pay-as-you-go tuition
Pathways in computer or data science
Focus on advanced computing or build data science expertise
100% online
Mixture of self-paced content with engaging live classroom sessions
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?
Applications for the Spring 2026 cohort are open!
- Application deadline: October 15, 2025
Upcoming events
Stay tuned!
Additional resources
Questions? Please email the Illinois MCS team at online-mcs@siebelschool.illinois.edu.
Accredited degree
Offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
12-36 months
8 courses total, 10-12 hours per week
$19,840-$24,864 USD total cost
Competitively priced with pay-as-you-go tuition
Pathways in computer or data science
Focus on advanced computing or build data science expertise
100% online
Mixture of self-paced content with engaging live classroom sessions
Accredited degree
Offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
12-36 months
8 courses total, 10-12 hours per week
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?
Applications for the Spring 2026 cohort are open!
- Application deadline: October 15, 2025
Upcoming events
Stay tuned!
Additional resources
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.
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 - $24,864 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.
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.
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
Analyze Text, Discover Patterns, Visualize Data
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Gain real-world experience with IoT
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Clouds, Distributed Systems, Networking
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.