Best Online Computer Science Programs in Atwater, CA (2026)
Atwater, California has a population of about 32,013. The city’s median household income is $63,945 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 13.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 54 accredited schools offering computer science programs near Atwater, with tuition ranging from $14,760 to $20,286 per year for indexed programs. In California, the top-earning computer science-related role is Database Architect at a median $159,130 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Atwater
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 54 schools in our directory that offer computer science programs near Atwater. Distances are calculated from Atwater city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced College | Merced, CA | 6.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Stanislaus | Turlock, CA | 18.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 30.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madera Community College | Madera, CA | 44.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clovis Community College | Fresno, CA | 57.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 58.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA | 59.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gavilan College | Gilroy, CA | 59.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fresno City College | Fresno, CA | 60.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses | Stockton, CA | 60.1 mi | $14,760 - $20,286 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Atwater
Atwater is part of the Merced, CA metro area (BLS area code 32900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $133,370 | Merced, CA | $135,677 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $82,250 | Merced, CA | $83,672 |
| Computer Network Architect | $138,350 | CA statewide | $140,743 |
| Database Administrator | $111,090 | CA statewide | $113,011 |
| Database Architect | $159,130 | CA statewide | $161,882 |
| Information Security Analyst | $140,660 | CA statewide | $143,093 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $80,160 | Merced, CA | $81,546 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $65,440 | Merced, CA | $66,572 |
| Web Developer | $117,380 | CA statewide | $119,410 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $130,240 | CA statewide | $132,492 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $158,700 | Merced, CA | $161,445 |
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.
Atwater at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,013 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,945 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 13.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Merced County | 37 workers, 15 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Atwater-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Merced, CA – 7.4 mi away (143,272 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 17.7 mi away (106,100 pop)
- Los Banos, CA – 24.1 mi away (37,584 pop)
- Ceres, CA – 26.0 mi away (48,278 pop)
- Modesto, CA – 29.6 mi away (377,755 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science schools are near Atwater, CA?
Our directory has 54 accredited schools offering computer science programs near Atwater. The closest is Merced College in Merced, CA (6.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses (60.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Atwater?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Atwater are: Database Architect ($159,130), Computer and Information Systems Manager ($158,700), Information Security Analyst ($140,660). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Merced instead of Atwater?
Merced, CA is 7.4 miles from Atwater 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 Atwater an affordable place to study computer science?
Atwater’s median household income of $63,945 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Atwater while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California 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 California
- 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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