Best Online Computer Science Programs in Boston, MA (2026)
Boston, Massachusetts has a population of about 663,972. The city’s median household income is $94,755 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 54.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Boston, with tuition ranging from $41,010 to $63,512 per year. In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $207,150 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Boston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Boston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roxbury Community College | Roxbury Crossing, MA | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology | Boston, MA | 1.3 mi | $41,010 - $55,030 | – |
| Northeastern University | Boston, MA | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs | Boston, MA | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Simmons University | Boston, MA | 2.0 mi | $45,538 - $63,512 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Boston
Boston is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area (BLS area code 14460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Massachusetts statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $154,240 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $142,419 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $123,550 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $114,081 |
| Computer Network Architect | $141,020 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $130,212 |
| Database Administrator | $123,710 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $114,229 |
| Database Architect | $162,310 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $149,871 |
| Information Security Analyst | $132,170 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $122,041 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $86,290 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $79,677 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $77,750 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $71,791 |
| Web Developer | $117,560 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $108,550 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $108,300 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $100,000 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $207,150 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $191,274 |
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.
Boston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $94,755 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 54.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Suffolk County | 20,042 workers, 1,356 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Boston-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Cambridge, MA – 4.3 mi away (110,651 pop)
- Somerville, MA – 5.0 mi away (81,322 pop)
- Quincy, MA – 5.7 mi away (93,688 pop)
- Chelsea, MA – 5.9 mi away (39,699 pop)
- Watertown, MA – 5.9 mi away (35,025 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Boston, MA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Boston. The closest is Roxbury Community College in Roxbury Crossing, MA (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Simmons University (2.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Boston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Boston are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($207,150), Database Architect ($162,310), Software Developer ($154,240). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Massachusetts statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Cambridge instead of Boston?
Cambridge, MA is 4.3 miles from Boston 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 Boston an affordable place to study computer science?
Boston’s median household income of $94,755 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Boston while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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