Best Online Computer Science Programs in Lakeland, FL (2026)
Lakeland, Florida has a population of about 117,030. The city’s median household income is $60,947 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Lakeland, with tuition ranging from $3,366 to $41,727 per year. In the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $156,180 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Lakeland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Lakeland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traviss Technical College | Lakeland, FL | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Polk State College | Winter Haven, FL | 14.8 mi | $3,366 - $12,709 | – |
| Ridge Technical College | Winter Haven, FL | 18.3 mi | $3,918 - $27,493 | – |
| Strayer University-Florida | Tampa, FL | 25.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL | 26.9 mi | $28,360 - $41,727 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Lakeland
Lakeland is part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area (BLS area code 29460). 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 | $121,580 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $125,211 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $86,340 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $88,919 |
| Computer Network Architect | $125,960 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $129,722 |
| Database Administrator | $96,760 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $99,650 |
| Database Architect | $133,040 | FL statewide | $137,013 |
| Information Security Analyst | $97,190 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $100,093 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $60,620 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $62,430 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $56,940 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $58,641 |
| Web Developer | $71,590 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $73,728 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $58,190 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $59,928 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $156,180 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $160,844 |
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.
Lakeland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,947 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Polk County | 634 workers, 229 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lakeland-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Plant City, FL – 10.5 mi away (38,200 pop)
- Winter Haven, FL – 15.7 mi away (231,412 pop)
- Zephyrhills, FL – 18.8 mi away (74,712 pop)
- Haines City, FL – 21.0 mi away (23,454 pop)
- Temple Terrace, FL – 25.9 mi away (26,515 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Lakeland, FL?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Lakeland. The closest is Traviss Technical College in Lakeland, FL (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Saint Leo University (26.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Lakeland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Lakeland are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($156,180), Database Architect ($133,040), Computer Network Architect ($125,960). 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 Plant City instead of Lakeland?
Plant City, FL is 10.5 miles from Lakeland 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 Lakeland an affordable place to study computer science?
Lakeland’s median household income of $60,947 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lakeland 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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