Best Online Computer Science Programs in Modesto, CA (2026)

Modesto, California has a population of about 218,614. The city’s median household income is $77,899 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Modesto, with tuition ranging from $1,168 to $20,286 per year. 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 Modesto

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Modesto city center.

SchoolCityDistanceTuitionOnline
Modesto Junior CollegeModesto, CA1.0 miContact school for pricing
University of the PacificStockton, CA29.1 miContact school for pricing
San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton, CA30.2 miContact school for pricing
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto CampusesStockton, CA31.0 mi$14,760 - $20,286
Las Positas CollegeLivermore, CA43.7 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 Modesto

Modesto is part of the Modesto, CA metro area (BLS area code 33700). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.

OccupationMedian WageSourceCOL-Adjusted (US=100)
Software Developer$116,180Modesto, CA$111,604
Computer Systems Analyst$105,150Modesto, CA$101,009
Computer Network Architect$95,010Modesto, CA$91,268
Database Administrator$96,270Modesto, CA$92,478
Database Architect$159,130CA statewide$152,863
Information Security Analyst$130,530Modesto, CA$125,389
Computer Network Support Specialist$78,690Modesto, CA$75,591
Computer User Support Specialist$64,500Modesto, CA$61,960
Web Developer$117,380CA statewide$112,757
Web and Digital Interface Designer$69,850Modesto, CA$67,099
Computer and Information Systems Manager$158,200Modesto, CA$151,969

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.


Modesto at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population218,614Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$77,899Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+20.3%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)
Regional Price Parity (US=100)104.1 (above U.S. average)BEA RPP 2024
Computer Science-related employment in Stanislaus County361 workers, 57 establishmentsBLS QCEW 2024 annual

Other Modesto-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited computer science programs are near Modesto, CA?

Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Modesto. The closest is Modesto Junior College in Modesto, CA (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Las Positas College (43.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Modesto?

Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Modesto are: Database Architect ($159,130), Computer and Information Systems Manager ($158,200), Information Security Analyst ($130,530). 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 Ceres instead of Modesto?

Ceres, CA is 3.6 miles from Modesto 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 Modesto an affordable place to study computer science?

Modesto’s median household income of $77,899 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Modesto 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.