Best Online Computer Science Programs in Santa Rosa, CA (2026)
Santa Rosa, California has a population of about 177,216. The city’s median household income is $97,410 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Santa Rosa. In the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $171,930 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Santa Rosa
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Santa Rosa city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| InterCoast Colleges-Fairfield | Fairfield, CA | 34.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Marin | Kentfield, CA | 34.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Contra Costa College | San Pablo, CA | 38.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Berkeley City College | Berkeley, CA | 46.4 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 Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa is part of the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area (BLS area code 42220). 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 | $141,140 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $130,928 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $115,430 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $107,078 |
| Computer Network Architect | $98,570 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $91,438 |
| Database Administrator | $97,360 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $90,315 |
| Database Architect | $159,130 | CA statewide | $147,616 |
| Information Security Analyst | $133,000 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $123,377 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $83,760 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $77,699 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $76,760 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $71,206 |
| Web Developer | $92,470 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $85,779 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $92,370 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $85,686 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $171,930 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $159,490 |
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.
Santa Rosa at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $97,410 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 107.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Sonoma County | 744 workers, 193 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Santa Rosa-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Rohnert Park, CA – 6.8 mi away (42,622 pop)
- Windsor, CA – 8.6 mi away (27,555 pop)
- Petaluma, CA – 14.7 mi away (66,940 pop)
- Sonoma, CA – 17.2 mi away (33,923 pop)
- Napa, CA – 24.2 mi away (87,733 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Santa Rosa, CA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Santa Rosa. The closest is Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, CA (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Berkeley City College (46.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Santa Rosa?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Santa Rosa are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($171,930), Database Architect ($159,130), Software Developer ($141,140). 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 Rohnert Park instead of Santa Rosa?
Rohnert Park, CA is 6.8 miles from Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa an affordable place to study computer science?
Santa Rosa’s median household income of $97,410 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Santa Rosa 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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