Best Online Computer Science Programs in Oak Forest, IL (2026)
Oak Forest, Illinois has a population of about 26,888. The city’s median household income is $87,941 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Oak Forest, with tuition ranging from $5,093 to $12,683 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 Oak Forest
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Oak Forest city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 7.1 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| Saint Xavier University | Chicago, IL | 7.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills, IL | 7.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 8.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College | Chicago, IL | 10.5 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 Oak Forest
Oak Forest 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.
Oak Forest at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,888 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $87,941 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.1% | 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 Cook County | 32,967 workers, 3,378 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Oak Forest-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Tinley Park, IL – 3.8 mi away (56,831 pop)
- Blue Island, IL – 5.2 mi away (23,401 pop)
- Harvey, IL – 5.2 mi away (24,947 pop)
- Orland Park, IL – 5.6 mi away (58,862 pop)
- Oak Lawn, IL – 7.5 mi away (56,257 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Oak Forest, IL?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Oak Forest. The closest is South Suburban College in South Holland, IL (7.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College (10.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Oak Forest?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Oak Forest 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 Tinley Park instead of Oak Forest?
Tinley Park, IL is 3.8 miles from Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest an affordable place to study computer science?
Oak Forest’s median household income of $87,941 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Oak Forest 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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