Best Online Computer Science Programs in Lakewood, CA (2026)
Lakewood, California has a population of about 80,510. The city’s median household income is $116,794 (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 Lakewood, with tuition ranging from $7,064 to $18,944 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 Lakewood
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Lakewood city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerritos College | Norwalk, CA | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Long Beach City College | Long Beach, CA | 5.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cypress College | Cypress, CA | 5.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA | 7.8 mi | $7,064 - $18,944 | – |
| Southern California Institute of Technology | Anaheim, CA | 9.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Lakewood
Lakewood 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.
Lakewood at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,510 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $116,794 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.6% | 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 Los Angeles County | 31,047 workers, 5,218 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lakewood-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Bellflower, CA – 2.8 mi away (77,790 pop)
- Cerritos, CA – 3.4 mi away (50,555 pop)
- Long Beach, CA – 3.6 mi away (470,130 pop)
- Paramount, CA – 4.3 mi away (54,909 pop)
- Norwalk, CA – 4.7 mi away (106,178 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Lakewood, CA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Lakewood. The closest is Cerritos College in Norwalk, CA (3.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southern California Institute of Technology (9.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Lakewood?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Lakewood 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 Bellflower instead of Lakewood?
Bellflower, CA is 2.8 miles from Lakewood 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 Lakewood an affordable place to study computer science?
Lakewood’s median household income of $116,794 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lakewood 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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