Best Online Computer Science Programs in San Rafael, CA (2026)
San Rafael, California has a population of about 60,604. The city’s median household income is $109,317 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 49.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of San Rafael, with tuition ranging from $31,243 to $31,243 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 Rafael
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from San Rafael city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Marin | Kentfield, CA | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Contra Costa College | San Pablo, CA | 10.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Golden Gate University | San Francisco, CA | 15.4 mi | $31,243 | – |
| Berkeley City College | Berkeley, CA | 16.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Academy of Art University | San Francisco, CA | 16.3 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 Rafael
San Rafael 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 Rafael at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,604 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $109,317 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 49.4% | 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 Marin County | 1,364 workers, 298 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other San Rafael-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Novato, CA – 7.3 mi away (56,004 pop)
- San Pablo, CA – 10.0 mi away (30,536 pop)
- Richmond, CA – 10.4 mi away (109,813 pop)
- El Cerrito, CA – 12.9 mi away (25,400 pop)
- Hercules, CA – 14.5 mi away (25,360 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near San Rafael, CA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of San Rafael. The closest is College of Marin in Kentfield, CA (2.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Academy of Art University (16.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near San Rafael?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near San Rafael 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 Novato instead of San Rafael?
Novato, CA is 7.3 miles from San Rafael 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 Rafael an affordable place to study computer science?
San Rafael’s median household income of $109,317 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in San Rafael 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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