Best Online Computer Science Programs in Decatur, IL (2026)
Decatur, Illinois has a population of about 70,368. The city’s median household income is $50,809 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 28 accredited schools offering computer science programs near Decatur, with tuition ranging from $16,004 to $68,399 per year for indexed programs. In Illinois, the top-earning computer science-related role is Database Architect at a median $134,490 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Decatur
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 28 schools in our directory that offer computer science programs near Decatur. Distances are calculated from Decatur city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millikin University | Decatur, IL | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | 37.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Illinois Springfield | Springfield, IL | 37.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Parkland College | Champaign, IL | 39.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 41.1 mi | $16,004 - $34,501 | – |
| Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | 42.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington, IL | 43.9 mi | $55,704 - $68,399 | – |
| Illinois State University | Normal, IL | 45.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Heartland Community College | Normal, IL | 47.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Decatur
Decatur is part of the Decatur, IL metro area (BLS area code 19500). 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 | $108,320 | Decatur, IL | $122,534 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $84,040 | Decatur, IL | $95,068 |
| Computer Network Architect | $132,310 | IL statewide | $149,672 |
| Database Administrator | $101,070 | IL statewide | $114,333 |
| Database Architect | $134,490 | IL statewide | $152,138 |
| Information Security Analyst | $114,300 | IL statewide | $129,299 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $52,090 | Decatur, IL | $58,925 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $51,710 | Decatur, IL | $58,495 |
| Web Developer | $103,300 | IL statewide | $116,855 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $94,660 | IL statewide | $107,081 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $129,090 | Decatur, IL | $146,029 |
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.
Decatur at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,368 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,809 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Macon County | 148 workers, 17 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Decatur-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Springfield, IL – 38.7 mi away (160,570 pop)
- Champaign, IL – 39.3 mi away (155,368 pop)
- Urbana, IL – 42.8 mi away (42,014 pop)
- Bloomington, IL – 42.9 mi away (135,015 pop)
- Normal, IL – 46.1 mi away (54,264 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science schools are near Decatur, IL?
Our directory has 28 accredited schools offering computer science programs near Decatur. The closest is Millikin University in Decatur, IL (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Heartland Community College (47.0 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Decatur?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Decatur are: Database Architect ($134,490), Computer Network Architect ($132,310), Computer and Information Systems Manager ($129,090). 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 Springfield instead of Decatur?
Springfield, IL is 38.7 miles from Decatur 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 Decatur an affordable place to study computer science?
Decatur’s median household income of $50,809 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Decatur 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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