US Colleges >> By Career >> Systems Analysts >> Illinois


System Analyst Training and Career Info in Illinois



  School and Career Overview

Systems Analysts photo

 

Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:

Schools Concentrating On Systems Analysts

  • Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Truman College, Daley College, Harold Washington College, and Wilbur Wright College.

Fastest Response From Schools

  • Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.

Student Body

  • Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Midstate College, Judson, Roosevelt University, and Blackburn.
  • Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider MacCormac, Midstate College, and Rasmusssen.
  • Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Olive-Harvey College, Kennedy-King College, Daley College, and Morton College.
  • Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider John A Logan College, University of St Francis, Frontier, and Governors State.

School Setting

  • Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Northwestern University, North Park University, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Loyola University.
  • Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Monmouth College, Blackburn, Illinois College, and Millikin University.

Excellence

  • SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Northwestern University, University of Illinois, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Loyola University.
  • % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Saint Xavier University, Northwestern University, University of St Francis, and Blackburn.
  • Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Northwestern University, Illinois College, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Millikin University.

 

Read Reviews of Schools for This Career and State

Spotlight Schools Search

1. ZIP Code near where you want to attend school?
2. What subject are you interested in?
3. What degree level are you looking for?
4. Where do you want to attend class? Online Campus Either

Spotlight Illinois Schools Related to This Career

Strayer University

  • Locations: Downers Grove, Schaumburg
  • Programs: 5 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master

University of Phoenix

  • Locations: Chicago, Mokena, Schaumburg, Warrenville
  • Programs: 4 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Bachelor, Master

ITT Technical Institute

  • Locations: Burr Ridge, Mount Prospect, Orland Park
  • Programs: 4 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Associate, Bachelor

DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management

  • Locations: Chicago, Downers Grove, Elgin, Gurnee, Lincolnshire, Naperville, Schaumburg, Tinley Park
  • Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Master, Post- Bachelor's Certificate

Argosy University

  • Locations: Chicago, Schaumburg
  • Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Doctorate, Master

International Academy of Design and Technology

  • Locations: Chicago
  • Programs: 2 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Associate, Bachelor

Rasmussen College

  • Locations: Mokena, Rockford, Romeoville
  • Programs: 5 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Associate, Bachelor

Vatterott College

  • Locations: Quincy
  • Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Diploma

See these schools on a map

Study from Anywhere at Online Schools Related to This Career

University of Phoenix Online

  • Programs: 4 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Associate, Bachelor

DeVry University Online

  • Programs: 3 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Bachelor

Walden University

  • Programs: 17 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Bachelor, Doctorate, Master

AIU Online

  • Programs: 5 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master

Ashford University

  • Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Bachelor

Keiser University eCampus Online

  • Programs: 3 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
  • Degrees: Associate, Bachelor

Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State

Sort Reviews By:

Southern Illinois Univeristy • Carbondale, IL
Studying Computer Science (completion in 1991)

• 5/5/2011

"It was fine. Good for the area."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?maybeIt was fine. Good for the area.
Program Reputation5Local reputation is good. National is not.
Program Quality9I learned the basics. I learned more on the job.
InstructionMore than 5 years ago
How Difficult5I managed to work 30+ hours a week too. It was about right.
Hands-On vs. BookishIt was a good mix. Some classes held in labs.
Schedule Flexibility1There was no flexibility at the time. Classes filled quickly.
Academic Facilities5Facilities were adequate. Labs were available.
Social Life5I worked 30+ hours a week. I did not socialize much.
Placement Services1There was little assistance. I found my jobs on my own.
Alumni Network1I haven't heard from them. No job placement support.

DePaul University • Chicago, IL
Studying Information Systems (completion in 2010)

• 7/14/2011

"I got a good education and I met a good groups of friends. I grew up during this period."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?maybeIt's a good school. It might not be the best choice for someone who wants to study information systems, though.
Program Reputation7No one really comes to DePaul for IT. Its an OK school.
Program Quality6Most people don't come to my school to study IT. It was a good education, just not the best.
Instruction7I learned enough to get by in IT. I learned old technology and I learned about career paths.
How Difficult6It's not super easy, but it's not hard. It was somewhere in the middle.
Hands-On vs. BookishThere is a lot more emphasis on book learning than hands on experience. That's why some professors are worse than others. I just wish they would get their act in order to teach students better technology.
Schedule Flexibility10They created online and night classes for the older generation. They really see a benefit to helping the growing population of America.
Academic Facilities9DePaul IS program had the best resources. There has been lunches, meetings, and and great facilities.
Social Life2There is no spirit. There are clubs and such, but there is no true spirit at DePaul left. Done.
Placement Services7Most people get jobs. The school tries to help with internships, but other than that, there really isn't much to brag about.
Alumni Network9Our alumni care. But most of the alumni from my program are graduate students.

Illinois State University • Normal, IL
Studying Information Systems (BS), Applied Computer Science (MS) (completion in 2003)

• 7/25/2011

"ISU worked well for me at the time I was there. The schedule and proximity to work and home was excellent. The classes were not difficult, though some of them demanded a lot of time and work. There was a huge focus on group work and the entire group dynamic, which I enjoyed."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesI think ISU was adequate for where I ended up working. The students in the CS degree program had a much more demanding curriculum and one which I would have enjoyed. There is plenty of big business in the area for internships as well, which is convenient.
Program Reputation8I can't answer this question. I'm not in any academic circles where the school's reputation is discussed, and I'm not particularly concerned with it at this point.
Program Quality6I was satisfied with my Master's program, though much of that was self-driven. The undergraduate program, however, seemed to be designed to churn out COBOL programmers for State Farm.
Instruction8My professors were excellent. As I mentioned in the previous question, however, the core curriculum seemed a little dated.
How Difficult7The Information Systems degree was far less demanding academically than Computer Science. Although I wanted to do CS, my timeline didn't allow for taking all of the required math and physics and finishing in a reasonable amount of time.
Hands-On vs. BookishI think there was a good mix of hands-on and book learning, and it varied by professor. There were labs and assignments for all IT classes.
Schedule Flexibility7I never had a problem finding classes at reasonable times during either my BS or my MS studies. I went to school year-round and was able to work at the same time.
Academic Facilities6The computer labs were difficult to work from, in my opinion. I joined study groups but never used any tutoring. The professors always seemed happy to help, or at least make a grad student available.
Social Life5I was an older student with a job and a wife, so I can't answer this question. From speaking with my younger classmates, however, parties were definitely not lacking.
Placement Services5I was already working when I graduated, but as a contract analyst in the same company where I work now. When I graduated, they hired me full-time. I interviewed with companies I met at a career fair at the school, but there was no intervention from the school itself.
Alumni Network5I'm not aware of what is provided, honestly. I receive information from them periodically, but I don't pay much attention to it.

University Of Wisconsin Parkside • Kenosha, IL
Studying Biology (completion in 2011)

• 7/31/2011

"The school was good but undervalued. I hoped that the ratings would improve, but the student demographics did not help."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?maybeIf they got into a ivy league school and could afford, it then no. If they were looking for a cheap school, then yes.
Program Reputation7It is an undervalued school and the student demographics do not help.
Program Quality7The program is a feeder program for Abbott Laboratories. However, when Abbott has its hiring freeze, it does not help.
Instruction9Most of the professors attended ivy league schools and have received multimillion dollar grants.
How Difficult9It is hard but undervalued.
Hands-On vs. BookishWe used many resources. Being a science major, I had a lot of labs. I did have some professors who did not like to use text books.
Schedule Flexibility7Very flexible. I have done summer school for two summers.
Academic Facilities9The dorms are fully equipped, and the library has over 100,000 volumes.
Social Life5I did not participate. There are many sororities and fraternities, though.
Placement Services6I only used it once, and that attempt was unsuccessful.
Alumni Network5I have never received a call from them for fundraisers. I have not participated in any events either.

Illinois State University • Normal, IL
Studying Information Systems (completion in 2010)

• 8/15/2011

"I wish my major had classes that were a little more rigorous and had a bit more emphasis on programming. Many of the teachers did not seem to care about their students or the amount they learned, specially if they were tenured or close to retirement."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?maybeIf this person was trying to simply get a degree to look for jobs like mine, then they would probably be fine at ISU. If the student is looking for a more intense curriculum that will adequately train them for a programming-oriented career, I would say look elsewhere.
Program Reputation6There are a few companies that look to ISU to recruit from their Information Systems major. Many of the classes in the major are tailored to benefit these select companies.
Program Quality5I feel as though ISU did not adequately prepare me enough for the computer programming part of my job. They focused a lot on the systems development life cycle - which is great, but at the company I work for there is a lot of programming required for systems analysts too.
Instruction4Some teachers in the major obviously did not care to be there. They were either close to retirement and just gave up on adequately teaching students or had too much flexibility with writing their curriculum and it wasn't up to par. However, there were a few really great teachers (especially for Information Security) that I learned a lot from.
How Difficult5There were probably only two classes that I really struggled with in my Information Systems major: database communications and systems development II. Systems development II was only made difficult by the teacher - the material was not hard itself, but the teacher liked to talk around the subject matter instead of getting to the point. There were a lot that students considered to be "Easy A's."
Hands-On vs. BookishMany classes I took went straight through a textbook. Some of the programming courses tried to deviate a little, but very little of the classroom material was original.
Schedule Flexibility3There is not much in the way of online offerings. They try to make more of an effort in the summer, and for this major they schedule some night classes for people who are trying to advance their education while they work.
Academic Facilities6The Information Systems/Computer Science program has a really great computer lab for people who are part of those majors. Tutors and study groups weren't readily available, but the classrooms in the Information Systems building were nice enough.
Social Life7There were a lot of extra-curricular activities at ISU. There were many sororities and frat houses, football games were pretty big, and there are quite a few special interest clubs to join.
Placement Services4I have heard some people have had luck using the career services, but I obtained work and an internship on my own. My fiance tried working through career services with little avail.
Alumni Network2I haven't really been contacted by ISU's alumni network. I get requests for money from them occasionally, but I haven't donated anything yet - especially since I wasn't really satisfied with the education I received.

DePaul University • Chicago, IL
Studying Computer Science (completion in 2001)

• 11/11/2011

"I have nothing at all negative to say about DePaul. The only disappointment is that our professors thought the job market would be far better than it turn out to be. Of course, I attended school just before the dot-com bubble burst, too."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesDePaul is a great school. I highly recommend it.
Program Reputation8I've met some DePaul grads out in the world, and they are all very proud. People seem to be impressed when they hear that I graduated from there.
Program Quality8DePaul University was an excellent school, although I haven't yet gotten a job that really let me put the full force of my knowledge into play. DePaul was teaching toward a higher standard than the real world actually uses.
Instruction6The education and teaching was top-notch, but there were some areas that haven't become relevant; more the industry's fault than the university's, however. The university taught how it "should" be done. Industry largely slaps it together.
How Difficult8I haven't got a bad thing to say about DePaul. It was tough and demanding, but fair and reasonable.
Hands-On vs. BookishFor the most part, it was hands on. A lot of group projects as well. Those were especially useful, since they brought everything else we'd learned together and mimicked real-world, team-based project work.
Schedule Flexibility10I finished my degree at night and on weekends. They also provide some distance learning, and even the attendance-based classes provided a significant portion of their content online.
Academic Facilities10Multiple campuses in the metropolitan area meant that I always had what I needed close by. Having so many services online (registration, for example) made it really convenient.
Social LifeI never really went to social functions at college. I was working full time while attending part time. There weren't any hours left over for fun.
Placement ServicesI never used placement services. I was employed while I was finishing school.
Alumni Network5I don't really participate in it. They put out a nice newsletter.

DeVry University • Online, IL
Studying Health Information Technology (completion in 2008)

• 12/13/2011

"I worked very hard for an average degree. The cost was also very high -- and I'm still paying off student loans."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?maybeDeVry's HIT program would be a good fit for an average student aspiring to be a healthcare coder. Many coders work from their homes now, and the online education might prepare them properly.
Program Reputation6If a student wishes to learn about health information coding (only), this is probably a good program. I was looking for more information technology content, and am dissatisfied.
Program Quality3DeVry is not the widely recognized school I was led to believe. I'm almost embarrassed to say that I attended there. Plus, the educators and professors were extremely sub-par in their own work experience in the HIT field.
Instruction3In my experience, the professors and educators put forth the bare minimum effort in their classes. Students (via discussion boards) were much more helpful than the teachers.
How Difficult6The workload was challenging. It gave me opportunities for growth.
Hands-On vs. BookishOnline education pushes the students to learn on their own. There are virtually no opportunities for face-to-face interactions.
Schedule Flexibility10Online education is ideal for me. It gives me the opportunity to 'attend' class on my own schedule.
Academic FacilitiesI did not take advantage of any facilities or resources at DeVry. The online classes gave me all the content I needed.
Social LifeOnline education is very different from a brick-and-mortar college. I did not attend any social gatherings while a virtual student.
Placement ServicesI was already employed while completing my degree, so I did not use the school's job placement service.
Alumni Network2I have heard (via email) from DeVry occasionally. Fortunately, I have no need to network with former students.

Eastern Illinois University • Charleston, IL
Studying Computer Technology (completion in 2005)

• 12/13/2011

"It's a good school and a decent curriculum, and it's well worth the price you pay. If you're just looking for the degree simply to say you have it, then you'll be very satisfied."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesEIU is a great school for the money. If you need a degree on the cheap but still want the "college experience," then this is the place to go. They need to "crack the whip" a little more, as EIU tends to nanny their students a bit too much.
Program Reputation2The program is still in the building stage, so there's not much of a reputation to speak of. It has a reputation of being a good value for the money.
Program Quality3It felt more like a management program than a hardcore programming curriculum. There was too much emphasis on research and not enough on theory.
Instruction8It's a small school, so the instructors were accessible. They were willing to work outside of office hours to help.
How Difficult2The emphasis was more on management than actual programming. The research aspect presented a minimal challenge.
Hands-On vs. BookishIt's probably a little too bookish for most people. There needs to be more concentrated hands-on learning, as what they currently push is a bit too broad.
Schedule Flexibility9Classes are seldom full. This means there is usually only one iteration of a given class per semester.
Academic Facilities8There are many computer labs on campus. Most of them have computers that are only a few years old, and they are constantly being updated/upgraded.
Social Life8EIU lays on the school spirit a little too thick for my taste. Homecoming is a big deal and the "Golf and Goat" outing for School of Technology students/alumni is a highlight for us.
Placement Services7I didn't use the job placement myself, because I was already employed. I have, however, heard very good things about it and am confident that I would get a lot of help from them if I required it.
Alumni Network8EIU alumni are very gung-ho in general. School of Technology alumni go out of their way to recruit graduating alumni.

University Of Illinois • Urbana-Champaign, IL
Studying Computer Science (completion in 2012)

• 12/16/2011

"University of Illinois gave me an excellent education. Now that I have a job, I am satisfied with my education."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesUniversity of Illinois provides a good education. The career assistance it provides is beneficial to students seeking work after graduation.
Program Reputation10The computer science program at the University of Illinois has an excellent reputation. Employers seem to prefer the University of Illinois program over that of many other Illinois schools.
Program Quality7University of Illinois is a fine academic institution. It trained me well for my career.
Instruction7The teachers were focused and motivated. They were also ready and willing to help.
How Difficult8Computer science was a difficult area of study. Although the instruction was supportive, computer science is inherently difficult.
Hands-On vs. BookishA number of lessons are taught in a hands-on manner, yet there is still a reliance on books.
Schedule Flexibility7My school had a wide variety of classes. Thus, it was easy to create a schedule that was flexible.
Academic Facilities8My school had top-of-the-line facilities. It had multiple libraries, media centers, and computer libraries.
Social Life9I was involved in Greek life at the University of Illinois. It provides a unique social experience.
Placement Services7My school had a number of career assistance programs. It also had many individual career counselors.
Alumni Network8University of Illinois has a vast alumni network. Additionally, it has a large Greek (fraternity/sorority) system, which also is connected to a vast network of alumni.

University Of Illinois • Urbana-Champaign, IL
Studying Computer Science (completion in 2012)

• 12/16/2011

"University of Illinois gave me an excellent education. Now that I have a job, I am satisfied with my education."

Ratings are on a 1-10 scale

CharacteristicRatingComment
Would Recommend?yesUniversity of Illinois provides a good education. The career assistance it provides is beneficial to students seeking work after graduation.
Program ReputationThe CS program at Illinois has an excellent reputation. Employers seem to prefer the University of Illinois program over that of many other Illinois schools.
Program Quality7University of Illinois is a fine academic institution. It trained me well for my career.
Instruction7The teachers were focused and motivated. They were also ready and willing to help.
How Difficult8Computer Science was a difficult area of study. Although the instruction was supportive, CS is inherently difficult.
Hands-On vs. BookishA number of lessons are taught in a hands-on manner. Yet, there is still a reliance on books.
Schedule Flexibility7My school had a wide variety of classes. Thus, it was easy to create a schedule that was flexible.
Academic Facilities8My school had top-of-the-line facilities. It had multiple libraries, media centers, and computer libraries.
Social Life9I was involved in Greek life at the University of Illinois. It provides a unique social experience.
Placement Services7My school had a number of career assistance programs and many individual counselors.
Alumni Network8University of Illinois has a vast alumni network. It has a large Greek system, which also is connected to a vast network of alumni.
Review your current or past school and help others make better career decisions.