Best Online Computer Science Programs in Park Forest, IL (2026)
Park Forest, Illinois has a population of about 20,898. The city’s median household income is $62,305 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Park Forest, with tuition ranging from $5,093 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 Park Forest
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Park Forest city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governors State University | University Park, IL | 2.7 mi | $11,320 - $23,076 | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 3.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 10.4 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 13.0 mi | $8,419 - $16,287 | – |
| Saint Xavier University | Chicago, IL | 15.6 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 Park Forest
Park 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.
Park Forest at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,898 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,305 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.8% | 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 Park Forest-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Chicago Heights, IL – 3.3 mi away (30,026 pop)
- Tinley Park, IL – 8.5 mi away (56,831 pop)
- Harvey, IL – 8.9 mi away (24,947 pop)
- South Holland, IL – 9.1 mi away (21,817 pop)
- Oak Forest, IL – 9.2 mi away (27,792 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Park Forest, IL?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Park Forest. The closest is Governors State University in University Park, IL (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Saint Xavier University (15.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Park Forest?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Park 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 Chicago Heights instead of Park Forest?
Chicago Heights, IL is 3.3 miles from Park 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 Park Forest an affordable place to study computer science?
Park Forest’s median household income of $62,305 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Park 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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