Best Online Computer Science Programs in Great Falls, MT (2026)
Great Falls, Montana has a population of about 60,412. The city’s median household income is $63,934 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited computer science program within 100 miles of Great Falls. In Montana, the top-earning computer science-related role is Database Architect at a median $116,250 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Great Falls
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Great Falls city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls College Montana State University | Great Falls, MT | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Montana schools on the Montana computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Great Falls
Great Falls is part of the Great Falls, MT metro area (BLS area code 24500). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Montana statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $97,470 | Great Falls, MT | $100,692 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $70,130 | Great Falls, MT | $72,448 |
| Computer Network Architect | $101,240 | MT statewide | $104,587 |
| Database Administrator | $80,960 | MT statewide | $83,636 |
| Database Architect | $116,250 | MT statewide | $120,093 |
| Information Security Analyst | $88,040 | Great Falls, MT | $90,950 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $53,670 | Great Falls, MT | $55,444 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $47,580 | Great Falls, MT | $49,153 |
| Web Developer | $65,490 | MT statewide | $67,655 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $87,660 | MT statewide | $90,558 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | N/A | MT statewide | – |
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.
Great Falls at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,934 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Cascade County | 123 workers, 73 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Great Falls-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Helena, MT – 71.2 mi away (49,812 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Great Falls, MT?
Our directory lists 1 computer science programs within 100 miles of Great Falls. The closest is Great Falls College Montana State University in Great Falls, MT (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Great Falls College Montana State University (1.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Great Falls?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Great Falls are: Database Architect ($116,250), Computer Network Architect ($101,240), Software Developer ($97,470). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Montana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Helena instead of Great Falls?
Helena, MT is 71.2 miles from Great Falls 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 Great Falls an affordable place to study computer science?
Great Falls’s median household income of $63,934 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Great Falls while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Montana 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 Montana
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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