Best Online Business Administration Programs in Merrillville, IN (2026)
Merrillville, Indiana has a population of about 36,343. The city’s median household income is $64,791 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Merrillville, with tuition ranging from $5,093 to $31,758 per year. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $164,470 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Merrillville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Merrillville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 11.0 mi | $8,419 - $16,287 | – |
| Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN | 14.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Calumet College of Saint Joseph | Whiting, IN | 16.4 mi | $22,650 - $31,758 | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 16.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 18.5 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Merrillville
Merrillville is part of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area (BLS area code 16980). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Indiana statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $105,310 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $101,651 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,610 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $104,836 |
| Financial Manager | $164,470 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $158,755 |
| Human Resources Manager | $137,760 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $132,973 |
| Management Analyst | $120,140 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $115,965 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,640 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $101,004 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $81,210 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $78,388 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,030 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,770 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $67,940 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $65,579 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Merrillville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,343 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,791 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Lake County | 4,874 workers, 700 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Merrillville-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Hobart, IN – 3.7 mi away (28,248 pop)
- Crown Point, IN – 4.3 mi away (29,176 pop)
- Schererville, IN – 6.5 mi away (28,701 pop)
- Gary, IN – 8.3 mi away (76,424 pop)
- Highland, IN – 8.9 mi away (22,737 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Merrillville, IN?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Merrillville. The closest is Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, IN (11.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South Suburban College (18.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Merrillville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Merrillville are: Financial Manager ($164,470), Human Resources Manager ($137,760), Management Analyst ($120,140). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Indiana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hobart instead of Merrillville?
Hobart, IN is 3.7 miles from Merrillville and has its own set of local business administration programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Merrillville an affordable place to study business administration?
Merrillville’s median household income of $64,791 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Merrillville while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Indiana public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Business Administration Programs in Indiana
- Main Business Administration Degree Guide
- Business Administration Programs by State
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