Best Online Computer Science Programs in Palm Springs, CA (2026)
Palm Springs, California has a population of about 44,998. The city’s median household income is $71,979 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 45.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Palm Springs. In the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $165,760 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Palm Springs
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Palm Springs city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayfield College | Cathedral City, CA | 4.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of the Desert | Palm Desert, CA | 8.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mt San Jacinto Community College District | San Jacinto, CA | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Copper Mountain Community College | Joshua Tree, CA | 26.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Crafton Hills College | Yucaipa, CA | 36.1 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 Palm Springs
Palm Springs is part of the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area (BLS area code 40140). 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 | $136,760 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $128,534 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $109,880 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $103,271 |
| Computer Network Architect | $112,000 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $105,263 |
| Database Administrator | $105,760 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $99,398 |
| Database Architect | $128,250 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $120,536 |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,910 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $117,397 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $76,650 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $72,039 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $66,050 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $62,077 |
| Web Developer | $95,450 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $89,709 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $84,520 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $79,436 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $165,760 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $155,789 |
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.
Palm Springs at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,979 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 45.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 106.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Riverside County | 2,084 workers, 522 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Palm Springs-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Cathedral City, CA – 4.8 mi away (54,056 pop)
- Palm Desert, CA – 10.6 mi away (52,231 pop)
- Desert Hot Springs, CA – 10.6 mi away (43,327 pop)
- Indio, CA – 18.0 mi away (402,166 pop)
- La Quinta, CA – 18.1 mi away (40,956 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Palm Springs, CA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Palm Springs. The closest is Mayfield College in Cathedral City, CA (4.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Crafton Hills College (36.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Palm Springs?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Palm Springs are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($165,760), Software Developer ($136,760), Database Architect ($128,250). 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 Cathedral City instead of Palm Springs?
Cathedral City, CA is 4.8 miles from Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs an affordable place to study computer science?
Palm Springs’s median household income of $71,979 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Palm Springs 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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