Best Online Education 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. Our directory has 75 accredited schools offering education programs near Gary, with tuition ranging from $8,419 to $38,850 per year for indexed programs. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $126,800 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Gary
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 75 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Gary. Distances are calculated from Gary city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University-Northwest | Gary, IN | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 6.6 mi | $8,419 - $16,287 | – |
| Calumet College of Saint Joseph | Whiting, IN | 9.4 mi | $22,650 - $31,758 | – |
| Chicago State University | Chicago, IL | 16.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN | 18.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 18.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Xavier University | Chicago, IL | 20.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Governors State University | University Park, IL | 21.5 mi | $11,320 - $23,076 | – |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL | 22.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| VanderCook College of Music | Chicago, IL | 22.4 mi | $30,910 - $38,850 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana education page.
Education 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $80,440 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,645 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $75,020 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,413 |
| Middle School Teacher | $75,690 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $73,060 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $60,590 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $58,485 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $126,800 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $122,394 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $99,260 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $95,811 |
| Tutor | $35,490 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $34,257 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $63,820 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $61,602 |
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 |
| Education-related employment in Lake County | 3,009 workers, 176 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gary-Area Cities With Education 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 education schools are near Gary, IN?
Our directory has 75 accredited schools offering education programs near Gary. The closest is Indiana University-Northwest in Gary, IN (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is VanderCook College of Music (22.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Gary?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Gary are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($126,800), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($99,260), Secondary School Teacher ($80,440). 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 education 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 education?
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
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.