Ruston, Louisiana has a population of about 22,224. The city’s median household income is $32,765 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 42.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Ruston, with tuition ranging from $4,109 to $17,202 per year. In Louisiana, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $128,230 annually (BLS, May 2024).
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Ruston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, LA | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 5.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Miller-Motte College-McCann-Monroe | Monroe, LA | 31.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Louisiana Delta Community College | Monroe, LA | 35.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College | Minden, LA | 36.7 mi | $4,109 - $17,202 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Louisiana schools on the Louisiana computer science page.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Louisiana, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Software Developer | $102,290 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $89,800 |
| Computer Network Architect | $103,880 |
| Database Administrator | $86,420 |
| Database Architect | N/A |
| Information Security Analyst | $88,200 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $56,470 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $53,350 |
| Web Developer | $74,500 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $62,700 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $128,230 |
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.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,224 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $32,765 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 42.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Computer Science-related employment in Lincoln County | 70 workers, 32 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Ruston. The closest is Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (36.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles in Louisiana are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($128,230), Computer Network Architect ($103,880), Software Developer ($102,290). Wages for Ruston workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Monroe, LA is 32.6 miles from Ruston 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.
Ruston’s median household income of $32,765 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ruston while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Louisiana public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
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.
Return to Best Online Computer Science Programs in Louisiana (2026)