Best Online Computer Science Programs in Fort Walton Beach, FL (2026)
Fort Walton Beach, Florida has a population of about 20,956. The city’s median household income is $66,556 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Fort Walton Beach, with tuition ranging from $2,348 to $9,718 per year. In the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $159,660 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Fort Walton Beach
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Fort Walton Beach city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okaloosa Technical College | Fort Walton Beach, FL | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest Florida State College | Niceville, FL | 10.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Radford M Locklin Technical College | Milton, FL | 32.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | 34.9 mi | $2,348 - $9,718 | – |
| Emerald Coast Technical College | DeFuniak Springs, FL | 36.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach is part of the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL metro area (BLS area code 18880). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Florida statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $127,650 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $131,598 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $100,490 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $103,598 |
| Computer Network Architect | $128,630 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $132,608 |
| Database Administrator | $128,810 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $132,794 |
| Database Architect | $133,040 | FL statewide | $137,155 |
| Information Security Analyst | $107,670 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $111,000 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $79,310 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $81,763 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $58,990 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $60,814 |
| Web Developer | $66,260 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $68,309 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $78,530 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $80,959 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $159,660 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $164,598 |
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.
Fort Walton Beach at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,956 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,556 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Okaloosa County | 3,094 workers, 198 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fort Walton Beach-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Crestview, FL – 22.5 mi away (36,433 pop)
- Pensacola, FL – 33.9 mi away (352,187 pop)
- Lynn Haven, FL – 59.9 mi away (20,850 pop)
- Panama City, FL – 61.9 mi away (147,788 pop)
- Prichard, AL – 93.0 mi away (22,185 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Fort Walton Beach, FL?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Fort Walton Beach. The closest is Okaloosa Technical College in Fort Walton Beach, FL (3.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Emerald Coast Technical College (36.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Fort Walton Beach?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Fort Walton Beach are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($159,660), Database Architect ($133,040), Database Administrator ($128,810). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Florida statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Crestview instead of Fort Walton Beach?
Crestview, FL is 22.5 miles from Fort Walton Beach 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 Fort Walton Beach an affordable place to study computer science?
Fort Walton Beach’s median household income of $66,556 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fort Walton Beach while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Florida 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 Florida
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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