Best Online Computer Science Programs in Portland, ME (2026)
Portland, Maine has a population of about 68,505. The city’s median household income is $76,174 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 59.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Portland. In the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $143,390 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Portland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Portland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Maine Community College | South Portland, ME | 3.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Technical Institute | Scarborough, ME | 10.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| York County Community College | Wells, ME | 30.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Maine Community College | Auburn, ME | 31.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maine schools on the Maine computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Portland
Portland is part of the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area (BLS area code 38860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Maine statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $124,680 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $122,355 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,200 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $93,425 |
| Computer Network Architect | $104,950 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $102,993 |
| Database Administrator | $87,060 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $85,437 |
| Database Architect | $121,310 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $119,048 |
| Information Security Analyst | $92,880 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $91,148 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $63,000 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $61,825 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $56,120 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $55,074 |
| Web Developer | $74,140 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $72,758 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $88,770 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $87,115 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $143,390 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $140,716 |
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.
Portland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,174 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 59.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Cumberland County | 3,025 workers, 999 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Portland-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- South Portland, ME – 3.3 mi away (25,577 pop)
- Biddeford, ME – 17.1 mi away (21,362 pop)
- Auburn, ME – 28.2 mi away (22,948 pop)
- Lewiston, ME – 29.1 mi away (58,664 pop)
- Sanford, ME – 30.0 mi away (29,139 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Portland, ME?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Portland. The closest is University of Southern Maine in Portland, ME (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Maine Community College (31.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Portland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Portland are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($143,390), Software Developer ($124,680), Database Architect ($121,310). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Maine statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in South Portland instead of Portland?
South Portland, ME is 3.3 miles from Portland 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 Portland an affordable place to study computer science?
Portland’s median household income of $76,174 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portland while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Maine 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 Maine
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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