Best Online Computer Science Programs in Highland Park, IL (2026)
Highland Park, Illinois has a population of about 30,229. The city’s median household income is $161,875 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 76.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Highland Park, with tuition ranging from $3,822 to $12,833 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 Highland Park
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Highland Park city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | 9.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 14.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 15.0 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL | 15.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Lake County | Grayslake, IL | 15.8 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 Highland Park
Highland Park 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.
Highland Park at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,229 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $161,875 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 76.1% | 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 Lake County | 3,008 workers, 610 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Highland Park-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Northbrook, IL – 3.9 mi away (33,421 pop)
- Wheeling, IL – 6.8 mi away (38,315 pop)
- Glenview, IL – 6.9 mi away (47,475 pop)
- Buffalo Grove, IL – 7.8 mi away (41,346 pop)
- Wilmette, IL – 8.4 mi away (27,219 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Highland Park, IL?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Highland Park. The closest is Oakton College in Des Plaines, IL (9.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of Lake County (15.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Highland Park?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Highland Park 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 Northbrook instead of Highland Park?
Northbrook, IL is 3.9 miles from Highland Park 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 Highland Park an affordable place to study computer science?
Highland Park’s median household income of $161,875 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Highland Park 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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