Best Online Computer Science Programs in San Diego, CA (2026)
San Diego, California has a population of about 1,385,061. The city’s median household income is $104,321 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 49.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of San Diego. In the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $193,370 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to San Diego
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from San Diego city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National University | San Diego, CA | 0.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northcentral University | San Diego, CA | 0.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ashford University | San Diego, CA | 1.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Diego Mesa College | San Diego, CA | 3.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California Institute of Arts & Technology | San Diego, CA | 4.2 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 San Diego
San Diego is part of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area (BLS area code 41740). 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 | $159,240 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $142,306 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $113,190 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $101,153 |
| Computer Network Architect | $131,200 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $117,248 |
| Database Administrator | $111,320 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $99,482 |
| Database Architect | $137,990 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $123,315 |
| Information Security Analyst | $130,900 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $116,979 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $77,400 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $69,169 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $69,530 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $62,136 |
| Web Developer | $103,640 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $92,618 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $114,400 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $102,234 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $193,370 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $172,806 |
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.
San Diego at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $104,321 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 49.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 111.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in San Diego County | 22,358 workers, 2,580 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other San Diego-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- La Mesa, CA – 7.3 mi away (59,948 pop)
- Santee, CA – 8.2 mi away (57,834 pop)
- Lemon Grove, CA – 8.5 mi away (26,860 pop)
- El Cajon, CA – 9.6 mi away (103,768 pop)
- National City, CA – 11.5 mi away (61,147 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near San Diego, CA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of San Diego. The closest is National University in San Diego, CA (0.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is California Institute of Arts & Technology (4.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near San Diego?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near San Diego are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($193,370), Software Developer ($159,240), Database Architect ($137,990). 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 La Mesa instead of San Diego?
La Mesa, CA is 7.3 miles from San Diego 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 San Diego an affordable place to study computer science?
San Diego’s median household income of $104,321 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in San Diego 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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