Best Online Computer Science Programs in Gary, IN (2026)
Gary, Indiana has a population of about 68,604. The city’s median household income is $37,380 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Gary, with tuition ranging from $5,093 to $16,287 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 Gary
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Gary city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 6.6 mi | $8,419 - $16,287 | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 14.1 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College | Chicago, IL | 15.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 15.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN | 18.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Gary
Gary 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 Indiana 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.
Gary at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,604 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $37,380 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.3% | 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 | 655 workers, 260 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gary-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Highland, IN – 6.5 mi away (22,737 pop)
- Hobart, IN – 6.5 mi away (28,248 pop)
- East Chicago, IN – 6.8 mi away (28,418 pop)
- Hammond, IN – 7.6 mi away (77,134 pop)
- Merrillville, IN – 8.3 mi away (34,994 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Gary, IN?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Gary. The closest is Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, IN (6.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Valparaiso University (18.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Gary?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Gary 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 Indiana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Highland instead of Gary?
Highland, IN is 6.5 miles from Gary 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 Gary an affordable place to study computer science?
Gary’s median household income of $37,380 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gary while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Indiana 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 Indiana
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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