Best Online Computer Science Programs in Paterson, NJ (2026)
Paterson, New Jersey has a population of about 157,660. The city’s median household income is $53,766 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 12.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Paterson, with tuition ranging from $4,757 to $38,702 per year. In the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $212,400 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Paterson
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Paterson city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passaic County Community College | Paterson, NJ | 0.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Berkeley College-Woodland Park | Woodland Park, NJ | 1.6 mi | $28,600 - $38,702 | – |
| Montclair State University | Montclair, NJ | 3.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bergen Community College | Paramus, NJ | 4.6 mi | $4,757 - $15,317 | – |
| Felician University | Lodi, NJ | 4.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New Jersey schools on the New Jersey computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Paterson
Paterson is part of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area (BLS area code 35620). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New Jersey statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $161,970 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $143,845 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,150 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $112,922 |
| Computer Network Architect | $153,820 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $136,607 |
| Database Administrator | $124,550 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $110,613 |
| Database Architect | $137,290 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $121,927 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,360 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $122,877 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $88,980 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $79,023 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $70,010 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $62,176 |
| Web Developer | $67,400 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $59,858 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $120,430 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $106,954 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $212,400 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $188,632 |
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.
Paterson at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,766 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 12.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 112.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Passaic County | 1,000 workers, 133 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Paterson-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Elmwood Park, NJ – 2.3 mi away (20,295 pop)
- Fair Lawn, NJ – 2.8 mi away (33,453 pop)
- Clifton, NJ – 3.6 mi away (85,845 pop)
- Garfield, NJ – 3.7 mi away (31,876 pop)
- Passaic, NJ – 4.3 mi away (70,635 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Paterson, NJ?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Paterson. The closest is Passaic County Community College in Paterson, NJ (0.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Felician University (4.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Paterson?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Paterson are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($212,400), Software Developer ($161,970), Computer Network Architect ($153,820). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New Jersey statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Elmwood Park instead of Paterson?
Elmwood Park, NJ is 2.3 miles from Paterson 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 Paterson an affordable place to study computer science?
Paterson’s median household income of $53,766 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Paterson while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New Jersey 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 New Jersey
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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