Best Online Computer Science Programs in Joliet, IL (2026)
Joliet, Illinois has a population of about 149,785. The city’s median household income is $88,026 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 86 accredited schools offering computer science programs near Joliet, with tuition ranging from $20,325 to $47,066 per year for indexed programs. 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 Joliet
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 86 schools in our directory that offer computer science programs near Joliet. Distances are calculated from Joliet city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of St Francis | Joliet, IL | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | 7.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 17.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Benedictine University | Lisle, IL | 18.0 mi | $34,290 - $46,548 | – |
| Aurora University | Aurora, IL | 19.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| DeVry University-Illinois | Lisle, IL | 19.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills, IL | 20.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trinity Christian College | Palos Heights, IL | 21.5 mi | $20,325 - $47,066 | – |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | 22.6 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 Joliet
Joliet 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.
Joliet at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $88,026 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.0% | 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 Joliet-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Crest Hill, IL – 4.1 mi away (21,169 pop)
- Lockport, IL – 7.9 mi away (25,231 pop)
- Plainfield, IL – 7.9 mi away (42,933 pop)
- Romeoville, IL – 8.1 mi away (39,706 pop)
- New Lenox, IL – 9.4 mi away (26,217 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science schools are near Joliet, IL?
Our directory has 86 accredited schools offering computer science programs near Joliet. The closest is Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL (2.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of DuPage (22.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Joliet?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Joliet 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 Crest Hill instead of Joliet?
Crest Hill, IL is 4.1 miles from Joliet 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 Joliet an affordable place to study computer science?
Joliet’s median household income of $88,026 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Joliet 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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