Best Online Computer Science Programs in Salinas, CA (2026)
Salinas, California has a population of about 161,993. The city’s median household income is $89,150 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 15.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Salinas, with tuition ranging from $1,404 to $12,050 per year. In the Salinas, CA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $163,890 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Salinas
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Salinas city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartnell College | Salinas, CA | 2.3 mi | $1,404 - $12,050 | – |
| Naval Postgraduate School | Monterey, CA | 14.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Monterey Peninsula College | Monterey, CA | 15.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey | Monterey, CA | 16.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gavilan College | Gilroy, CA | 19.9 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 Salinas
Salinas is part of the Salinas, CA metro area (BLS area code 41500). 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 | $134,300 | Salinas, CA | $123,211 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $109,100 | Salinas, CA | $100,092 |
| Computer Network Architect | $101,740 | Salinas, CA | $93,339 |
| Database Administrator | $101,710 | Salinas, CA | $93,312 |
| Database Architect | $159,130 | CA statewide | $145,991 |
| Information Security Analyst | $140,660 | CA statewide | $129,046 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $76,590 | Salinas, CA | $70,266 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $69,510 | Salinas, CA | $63,771 |
| Web Developer | $117,380 | CA statewide | $107,688 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $63,700 | Salinas, CA | $58,440 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $163,890 | Salinas, CA | $150,358 |
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.
Salinas at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $89,150 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 15.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 109.0 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Monterey County | 545 workers, 96 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Salinas-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Marina, CA – 8.8 mi away (21,688 pop)
- Seaside, CA – 11.3 mi away (118,670 pop)
- Monterey, CA – 15.3 mi away (28,454 pop)
- Hollister, CA – 17.4 mi away (45,496 pop)
- Watsonville, CA – 17.8 mi away (77,266 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Salinas, CA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Salinas. The closest is Hartnell College in Salinas, CA (2.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Gavilan College (19.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Salinas?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Salinas are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($163,890), Database Architect ($159,130), Information Security Analyst ($140,660). 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 Marina instead of Salinas?
Marina, CA is 8.8 miles from Salinas 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 Salinas an affordable place to study computer science?
Salinas’s median household income of $89,150 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Salinas 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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