Best Online Computer Science Programs in Thornton, CO (2026)
Thornton, Colorado has a population of about 142,878. The city’s median household income is $100,985 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Thornton, with tuition ranging from $4,030 to $16,210 per year. In the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $183,050 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Thornton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Thornton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Range Community College | Westminster, CO | 5.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Regis University | Denver, CO | 10.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver, CO | 12.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 12.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Aurora | Aurora, CO | 15.8 mi | $4,030 - $16,210 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Thornton
Thornton is part of the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area (BLS area code 19740). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Colorado statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $134,120 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $126,767 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $122,950 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $116,210 |
| Computer Network Architect | $132,870 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $125,586 |
| Database Administrator | $126,810 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $119,858 |
| Database Architect | $150,210 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $141,975 |
| Information Security Analyst | $131,670 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $124,452 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $83,840 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $79,244 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $69,940 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $66,106 |
| Web Developer | $110,380 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $104,329 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $104,810 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $99,064 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $183,050 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $173,015 |
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.
Thornton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $100,985 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Adams County | 2,230 workers, 668 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Thornton-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Northglenn, CO – 1.9 mi away (38,982 pop)
- Broomfield, CO – 6.2 mi away (66,529 pop)
- Commerce City, CO – 6.6 mi away (54,869 pop)
- Westminster, CO – 6.8 mi away (113,875 pop)
- Brighton, CO – 8.6 mi away (38,314 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Thornton, CO?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Thornton. The closest is Front Range Community College in Westminster, CO (5.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Community College of Aurora (15.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Thornton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Thornton are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($183,050), Database Architect ($150,210), Software Developer ($134,120). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Colorado statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Northglenn instead of Thornton?
Northglenn, CO is 1.9 miles from Thornton 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 Thornton an affordable place to study computer science?
Thornton’s median household income of $100,985 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Thornton while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Colorado 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 Colorado
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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