Best Online Computer Science Programs in Cambridge, MA (2026)
Cambridge, Massachusetts has a population of about 117,794. The city’s median household income is $126,469 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 80.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Cambridge, with tuition ranging from $45,538 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 Cambridge
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Cambridge city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 0.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Simmons University | Boston, MA | 2.3 mi | $45,538 - $63,512 | – |
| Cambridge College | Boston, MA | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bunker Hill Community College | Boston, MA | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Cambridge
Cambridge 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.
Cambridge at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $126,469 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 80.2% | 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 Middlesex County | 30,866 workers, 2,566 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Cambridge-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Somerville, MA – 1.4 mi away (81,322 pop)
- Watertown, MA – 3.0 mi away (35,025 pop)
- Medford, MA – 3.3 mi away (57,213 pop)
- Everett, MA – 3.9 mi away (46,340 pop)
- Boston, MA – 4.3 mi away (4,556,916 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Cambridge, MA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Cambridge. The closest is Harvard University in Cambridge, MA (0.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bunker Hill Community College (2.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Cambridge?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Cambridge 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 Somerville instead of Cambridge?
Somerville, MA is 1.4 miles from Cambridge 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 Cambridge an affordable place to study computer science?
Cambridge’s median household income of $126,469 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cambridge 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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