Computer Science Undergraduate Program

Whether you’re aiming for business, high‑tech industries, research, or an interdisciplinary path, our programs are designed to meet you where you are—and help you get where you want to go.

You’ll find courses that reflect today’s fast-changing tech landscape, from core computer science fundamentals to advanced and specialized topics. If you’re preparing for a career in business or industry, you’ll gain practical skills employers value. If you’re interested in research or graduate study, you can dive deep into advanced coursework and work closely with faculty in your areas of interest. You can also add value to your degree by tapping into data science through the data science foundations certificate or minors in related fields. We also offer engaging courses for non‑majors and students who want to add computer science to another field of study through a minor.

Our graduates land jobs across the country in business, high‑tech companies, and research organizations. Many employers actively recruit NIU computer science students for internships and full‑time roles. Career Services supports you throughout your job search with internship and career fairs every spring and fall, along with an online job board. Students considering graduate school or research careers are encouraged to connect directly with faculty mentors for guidance and opportunities.

Learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. The department sponsors a variety of extracurricular activities to help you build skills, connections, and community. Through the Student Chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), you can take part in meet‑the‑employer events, company visits, talks from industry leaders, résumé workshops, and programs focused on internships and interviewing. These experiences help you grow professionally while connecting with peers who share your interests.