Best Online Computer Science Programs in San Mateo, CA (2026)
San Mateo, California has a population of about 103,555. The city’s median household income is $152,669 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 57.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of San Mateo, with tuition ranging from $7,055 to $22,803 per year. In the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $221,810 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to San Mateo
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from San Mateo city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of San Mateo | San Mateo, CA | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Canada College | Redwood City, CA | 7.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Skyline College | San Bruno, CA | 10.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| City College of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 14.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-East Bay | Hayward, CA | 15.7 mi | $7,055 - $22,803 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near San Mateo
San Mateo is part of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area (BLS area code 41860). 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 | $174,910 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $151,306 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $145,440 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $125,813 |
| Computer Network Architect | $155,480 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $134,498 |
| Database Administrator | $117,020 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $101,228 |
| Database Architect | $170,700 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $147,664 |
| Information Security Analyst | $168,160 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $145,467 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $98,670 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $85,355 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $85,010 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $73,538 |
| Web Developer | $157,490 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $136,237 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $160,980 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $139,256 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $221,810 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $191,877 |
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 Mateo at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $152,669 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 57.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 115.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in San Mateo County | 23,104 workers, 1,081 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other San Mateo-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Foster City, CA – 2.5 mi away (34,175 pop)
- Belmont, CA – 2.7 mi away (27,081 pop)
- Burlingame, CA – 3.8 mi away (30,301 pop)
- San Carlos, CA – 4.4 mi away (29,797 pop)
- Redwood City, CA – 5.9 mi away (84,950 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near San Mateo, CA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of San Mateo. The closest is College of San Mateo in San Mateo, CA (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is California State University-East Bay (15.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near San Mateo?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near San Mateo are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($221,810), Software Developer ($174,910), Database Architect ($170,700). 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 Foster City instead of San Mateo?
Foster City, CA is 2.5 miles from San Mateo 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 Mateo an affordable place to study computer science?
San Mateo’s median household income of $152,669 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in San Mateo 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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