Best Online Computer Science Programs in Cottage Grove, MN (2026)
Cottage Grove, Minnesota has a population of about 40,124. The city’s median household income is $121,452 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 39.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Cottage Grove. In the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $173,630 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Cottage Grove
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Cottage Grove city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inver Hills Community College | Inver Grove Heights, MN | 6.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dakota County Technical College | Rosemount, MN | 9.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul, MN | 12.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Paul College | Saint Paul, MN | 12.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN | 14.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area (BLS area code 33460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Minnesota statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $129,430 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $123,502 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $108,680 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $103,702 |
| Computer Network Architect | $126,900 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $121,088 |
| Database Administrator | $100,490 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $95,887 |
| Database Architect | $132,880 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $126,794 |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,380 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $123,454 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $79,460 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,821 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $64,890 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $61,918 |
| Web Developer | $103,910 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $99,151 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $82,440 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $78,664 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $173,630 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $165,677 |
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.
Cottage Grove at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,124 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $121,452 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 39.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Washington County | 612 workers, 136 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Cottage Grove-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Woodbury, MN – 6.2 mi away (68,820 pop)
- Inver Grove Heights, MN – 6.5 mi away (35,077 pop)
- Hastings, MN – 6.9 mi away (22,761 pop)
- South Saint Paul, MN – 7.4 mi away (20,217 pop)
- Rosemount, MN – 8.3 mi away (23,911 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Cottage Grove, MN?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Cottage Grove. The closest is Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights, MN (6.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Concordia University-Saint Paul (14.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Cottage Grove?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Cottage Grove are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($173,630), Database Architect ($132,880), Software Developer ($129,430). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Minnesota statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Woodbury instead of Cottage Grove?
Woodbury, MN is 6.2 miles from Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove an affordable place to study computer science?
Cottage Grove’s median household income of $121,452 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cottage Grove while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Minnesota 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 Minnesota
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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