Best Online Computer Science Programs in Fort Smith, AR (2026)
Fort Smith, Arkansas has a population of about 89,496. The city’s median household income is $52,692 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Fort Smith, with tuition ranging from $9,748 to $28,772 per year. In the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer Network Architect at a median $124,680 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Fort Smith
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Fort Smith city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 52.9 mi | $9,748 - $28,772 | – |
| University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain | Mena, AR | 53.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 59.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee | Muskogee, OK | 60.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Fort Smith
Fort Smith is part of the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area (BLS area code 22900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arkansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $94,440 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $109,942 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $27,680 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $32,224 |
| Computer Network Architect | $124,680 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $145,146 |
| Database Administrator | $79,710 | AR statewide | $92,794 |
| Database Architect | $101,000 | AR statewide | $117,579 |
| Information Security Analyst | $93,560 | AR statewide | $108,917 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $60,580 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $70,524 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $48,890 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $56,915 |
| Web Developer | $43,530 | AR statewide | $50,675 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $57,020 | AR statewide | $66,380 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $105,480 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $122,794 |
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.
Fort Smith at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,692 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 85.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Sebastian County | 107 workers, 34 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fort Smith-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Van Buren, AR – 6.9 mi away (23,367 pop)
- Fayetteville, AR – 51.2 mi away (336,152 pop)
- Siloam Springs, AR – 58.4 mi away (21,136 pop)
- Springdale, AR – 59.3 mi away (78,557 pop)
- Muskogee, OK – 61.8 mi away (41,117 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Fort Smith, AR?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Fort Smith. The closest is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee (60.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Fort Smith?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Fort Smith are: Computer Network Architect ($124,680), Computer and Information Systems Manager ($105,480), Database Architect ($101,000). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arkansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Van Buren instead of Fort Smith?
Van Buren, AR is 6.9 miles from Fort Smith 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 Fort Smith an affordable place to study computer science?
Fort Smith’s median household income of $52,692 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fort Smith while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arkansas 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 Arkansas
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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