Best Online Computer Science Programs in Central, LA (2026)

Central, Louisiana has a population of about 29,603. The city’s median household income is $90,091 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Central, with tuition ranging from $4,219 to $16,674 per year. In the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Database Architect at a median $132,450 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).


Closest Computer Science Schools to Central

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Central city center.

SchoolCityDistanceTuitionOnline
Baton Rouge Community CollegeBaton Rouge, LA9.7 mi$4,221 - $16,303
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA11.7 miContact school for pricing
Fletcher Technical Community CollegeSchriever, LA57.9 mi$4,219 - $16,674
Southwest Mississippi Community CollegeSummit, MS60.3 miContact school for pricing
Herzing University-New OrleansMetairie, LA64.5 miContact school for pricing

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Louisiana schools on the Louisiana computer science page.


Computer Science Wages Near Central

Central is part of the Baton Rouge, LA metro area (BLS area code 12940). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Louisiana statewide.

OccupationMedian WageSourceCOL-Adjusted (US=100)
Software Developer$97,320Baton Rouge, LA$107,181
Computer Systems Analyst$85,300Baton Rouge, LA$93,943
Computer Network Architect$104,990Baton Rouge, LA$115,628
Database Administrator$87,110Baton Rouge, LA$95,936
Database Architect$132,450Baton Rouge, LA$145,870
Information Security Analyst$95,670Baton Rouge, LA$105,363
Computer Network Support Specialist$60,770Baton Rouge, LA$66,927
Computer User Support Specialist$52,700Baton Rouge, LA$58,040
Web Developer$74,790Baton Rouge, LA$82,368
Web and Digital Interface Designer$66,600Baton Rouge, LA$73,348
Computer and Information Systems Manager$121,990Baton Rouge, LA$134,350

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.


Central at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population29,603Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$90,091Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+32.7%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)
Regional Price Parity (US=100)90.8 (below U.S. average)BEA RPP 2024
Computer Science-related employment in East Baton Rouge County2,233 workers, 694 establishmentsBLS QCEW 2024 annual

Other Central-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited computer science programs are near Central, LA?

Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Central. The closest is Baton Rouge Community College in Baton Rouge, LA (9.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Herzing University-New Orleans (64.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Central?

Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Central are: Database Architect ($132,450), Computer and Information Systems Manager ($121,990), Computer Network Architect ($104,990). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Louisiana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.

Should I look at programs in Baton Rouge instead of Central?

Baton Rouge, LA is 9.9 miles from Central 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 Central an affordable place to study computer science?

Central’s median household income of $90,091 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Central while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Louisiana 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.