Best Online Computer Science Programs in Hayward, CA (2026)
Hayward, California has a population of about 159,201. The city’s median household income is $113,775 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Hayward, with tuition ranging from $1,168 to $22,803 per year. In the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $221,810 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Hayward
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Hayward city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-East Bay | Hayward, CA | 2.0 mi | $7,055 - $22,803 | – |
| Ohlone College | Fremont, CA | 11.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Alameda | Alameda, CA | 15.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of San Mateo | San Mateo, CA | 15.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Las Positas College | Livermore, CA | 16.3 mi | $1,168 - $14,810 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Hayward
Hayward is part of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area (BLS area code 41860). 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 | $174,910 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $151,306 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $145,440 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $125,813 |
| Computer Network Architect | $155,480 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $134,498 |
| Database Administrator | $117,020 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $101,228 |
| Database Architect | $170,700 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $147,664 |
| Information Security Analyst | $168,160 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $145,467 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $98,670 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $85,355 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $85,010 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $73,538 |
| Web Developer | $157,490 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $136,237 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $160,980 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $139,256 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $221,810 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $191,877 |
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.
Hayward at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $113,775 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 115.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Alameda County | 12,843 workers, 2,013 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hayward-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Union City, CA – 3.8 mi away (75,322 pop)
- San Leandro, CA – 6.8 mi away (90,465 pop)
- Newark, CA – 8.2 mi away (45,810 pop)
- Fremont, CA – 8.9 mi away (233,136 pop)
- Pleasanton, CA – 11.0 mi away (82,270 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Hayward, CA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Hayward. The closest is California State University-East Bay in Hayward, CA (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Las Positas College (16.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Hayward?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Hayward are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($221,810), Software Developer ($174,910), Database Architect ($170,700). 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 Union City instead of Hayward?
Union City, CA is 3.8 miles from Hayward 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 Hayward an affordable place to study computer science?
Hayward’s median household income of $113,775 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hayward 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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