Best Online Computer Science Programs in Braidwood, IL (2026)
Braidwood, Illinois has a population of about 6,175. The city’s median household income is $83,365 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Braidwood, with tuition ranging from $11,320 to $23,076 per year. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $168,230 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Braidwood
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Braidwood city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | 15.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of St Francis | Joliet, IL | 18.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, IL | 19.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | 24.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Governors State University | University Park, IL | 29.1 mi | $11,320 - $23,076 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Braidwood
Braidwood 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 Illinois statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $130,030 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $125,512 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,510 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $96,052 |
| Computer Network Architect | $140,760 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $135,869 |
| Database Administrator | $103,700 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,097 |
| Database Architect | $134,900 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $130,212 |
| Information Security Analyst | $116,520 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $112,471 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $69,200 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $66,795 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,570 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $57,500 |
| Web Developer | $100,730 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $97,230 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $95,060 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $91,757 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $168,230 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $162,384 |
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.
Braidwood at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,175 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $83,365 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Will County | 2,474 workers, 424 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Braidwood-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Joliet, IL – 17.7 mi away (148,262 pop)
- New Lenox, IL – 21.1 mi away (26,217 pop)
- Crest Hill, IL – 21.7 mi away (21,169 pop)
- Kankakee, IL – 22.0 mi away (78,682 pop)
- Plainfield, IL – 24.2 mi away (42,933 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Braidwood, IL?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Braidwood. The closest is Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL (15.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Governors State University (29.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Braidwood?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Braidwood are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($168,230), Computer Network Architect ($140,760), Database Architect ($134,900). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Illinois statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Joliet instead of Braidwood?
Joliet, IL is 17.7 miles from Braidwood and has its own set of local computer science programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Braidwood an affordable place to study computer science?
Braidwood’s median household income of $83,365 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Braidwood while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Illinois 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 Computer Science Programs in Illinois
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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