Best Online Computer Science Programs in Portage, IN (2026)
Portage, Indiana has a population of about 37,951. The city’s median household income is $72,833 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 16.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 81 accredited schools offering computer science programs near Portage, with tuition ranging from $5,093 to $31,758 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 Portage
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 81 schools in our directory that offer computer science programs near Portage. Distances are calculated from Portage city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University-Northwest | Gary, IN | 8.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN | 11.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 15.2 mi | $8,419 - $16,287 | – |
| Calumet College of Saint Joseph | Whiting, IN | 17.3 mi | $22,650 - $31,758 | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 22.8 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College | Chicago, IL | 22.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chicago State University | Chicago, IL | 24.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 24.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago | Chicago, IL | 25.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 25.8 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 Portage
Portage 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.
Portage at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,951 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $72,833 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 16.0% | 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 Porter County | 307 workers, 104 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Portage-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Hobart, IN – 7.0 mi away (28,248 pop)
- Gary, IN – 8.7 mi away (76,424 pop)
- Merrillville, IN – 10.7 mi away (34,994 pop)
- Highland, IN – 14.7 mi away (22,737 pop)
- Crown Point, IN – 14.7 mi away (29,176 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science schools are near Portage, IN?
Our directory has 81 accredited schools offering computer science programs near Portage. The closest is Indiana University-Northwest in Gary, IN (8.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Chicago (25.8 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Portage?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Portage 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 Hobart instead of Portage?
Hobart, IN is 7.0 miles from Portage 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 Portage an affordable place to study computer science?
Portage’s median household income of $72,833 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portage 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
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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