Best Online Computer Science Programs in Costa Mesa, CA (2026)
Costa Mesa, California has a population of about 110,538. The city’s median household income is $110,073 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 43.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Costa Mesa, with tuition ranging from $1,180 to $45,014 per year. In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $191,410 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Costa Mesa
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Costa Mesa city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa, CA | 0.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Coastline Community College | Fountain Valley, CA | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Westcliff University | Irvine, CA | 4.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | 4.3 mi | $14,237 - $45,014 | – |
| Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA | 6.4 mi | $1,180 - $11,848 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area (BLS area code 31080). 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 | $155,330 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $136,734 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $126,520 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $111,373 |
| Computer Network Architect | $137,910 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $121,400 |
| Database Administrator | $105,400 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $92,782 |
| Database Architect | $145,300 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $127,905 |
| Information Security Analyst | $131,280 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,563 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $74,040 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $65,176 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $71,230 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $62,702 |
| Web Developer | $97,990 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $86,259 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $102,660 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $90,370 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $191,410 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $168,495 |
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.
Costa Mesa at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $110,073 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 43.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 113.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Orange County | 23,075 workers, 3,016 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Costa Mesa-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Fountain Valley, CA – 3.7 mi away (56,529 pop)
- Newport Beach, CA – 4.5 mi away (86,688 pop)
- Santa Ana, CA – 5.2 mi away (334,217 pop)
- Huntington Beach, CA – 5.5 mi away (200,652 pop)
- Tustin, CA – 7.4 mi away (80,395 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Costa Mesa, CA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Costa Mesa. The closest is Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA (0.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Santa Ana College (6.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Costa Mesa?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Costa Mesa are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($191,410), Software Developer ($155,330), Database Architect ($145,300). 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 Fountain Valley instead of Costa Mesa?
Fountain Valley, CA is 3.7 miles from Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa an affordable place to study computer science?
Costa Mesa’s median household income of $110,073 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Costa Mesa 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
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