Best Online Business Administration Programs in Portage, IN (2026)
Portage, Indiana has a population of about 37,951. The city’s median household income is $72,833 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 16.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Portage, 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 Portage
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Portage city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN | 11.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 15.3 mi | $8,419 - $16,287 | – |
| Calumet College of Saint Joseph | Whiting, IN | 17.3 mi | $22,650 - $31,758 | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 22.8 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College | Chicago, IL | 22.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Portage
Portage 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.
Portage at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,951 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $72,833 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 16.0% | 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 Porter County | 2,143 workers, 267 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Portage-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Hobart, IN – 7.0 mi away (28,248 pop)
- Gary, IN – 8.7 mi away (76,424 pop)
- Merrillville, IN – 10.7 mi away (34,994 pop)
- Highland, IN – 14.7 mi away (22,737 pop)
- Crown Point, IN – 14.7 mi away (29,176 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Portage, IN?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Portage. The closest is Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN (11.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College (22.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Portage?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Portage 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 Portage?
Hobart, IN is 7.0 miles from Portage 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 Portage an affordable place to study business administration?
Portage’s median household income of $72,833 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portage 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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