Best Online Computer Science Programs in Jackson, MI (2026)

Jackson, Michigan has a population of about 31,206. The city’s median household income is $42,848 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 15.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Jackson, with tuition ranging from $29,778 to $54,950 per year. In the Jackson, MI metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $143,870 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).


Closest Computer Science Schools to Jackson

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Jackson city center.

SchoolCityDistanceTuitionOnline
Jackson CollegeJackson, MI5.4 miContact school for pricing
Adrian CollegeAdrian, MI29.6 mi$40,556 - $54,950
The University of OlivetOlivet, MI29.9 miContact school for pricing
Siena Heights UniversityAdrian, MI30.5 mi$29,778 - $42,802
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI34.0 miContact school for pricing

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan computer science page.


Computer Science Wages Near Jackson

Jackson is part of the Jackson, MI metro area (BLS area code 27100). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Michigan statewide.

OccupationMedian WageSourceCOL-Adjusted (US=100)
Software Developer$120,840Jackson, MI$131,634
Computer Systems Analyst$98,160Jackson, MI$106,928
Computer Network Architect$117,330MI statewide$127,810
Database Administrator$97,880MI statewide$106,623
Database Architect$120,810MI statewide$131,601
Information Security Analyst$104,540MI statewide$113,878
Computer Network Support Specialist$61,890MI statewide$67,418
Computer User Support Specialist$48,010Jackson, MI$52,298
Web Developer$97,690MI statewide$106,416
Web and Digital Interface Designer$81,120MI statewide$88,366
Computer and Information Systems Manager$143,870Jackson, MI$156,721

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.


Jackson at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population31,206Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$42,848Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+15.3%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)
Regional Price Parity (US=100)91.8 (below U.S. average)BEA RPP 2024

Other Jackson-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited computer science programs are near Jackson, MI?

Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Jackson. The closest is Jackson College in Jackson, MI (5.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Michigan State University (34.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Jackson?

Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Jackson are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($143,870), Software Developer ($120,840), Database Architect ($120,810). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Michigan statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.

Should I look at programs in Adrian instead of Jackson?

Adrian, MI is 30.0 miles from Jackson 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 Jackson an affordable place to study computer science?

Jackson’s median household income of $42,848 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jackson while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Michigan 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.