Best Online Computer Science Programs in Asheville, NC (2026)
Asheville, North Carolina has a population of about 94,369. The city’s median household income is $67,221 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 52.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Asheville, with tuition ranging from $11,583 to $24,565 per year. In the Asheville, NC metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $146,680 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Asheville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Asheville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Asheville, NC | 0.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Montreat College | Montreat, NC | 15.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Greenville University | Tigerville, SC | 36.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Strayer University-South Carolina | Greenville, SC | 51.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of South Carolina-Upstate | Spartanburg, SC | 51.3 mi | $11,583 - $24,565 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Asheville
Asheville is part of the Asheville, NC metro area (BLS area code 11700). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $118,850 | Asheville, NC | $123,161 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $91,910 | Asheville, NC | $95,244 |
| Computer Network Architect | $109,300 | Asheville, NC | $113,264 |
| Database Administrator | $90,030 | Asheville, NC | $93,295 |
| Database Architect | $104,000 | Asheville, NC | $107,772 |
| Information Security Analyst | $116,990 | Asheville, NC | $121,233 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $76,710 | Asheville, NC | $79,492 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $57,600 | Asheville, NC | $59,689 |
| Web Developer | $94,070 | NC statewide | $97,482 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $77,270 | Asheville, NC | $80,073 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $146,680 | Asheville, NC | $152,000 |
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.
Asheville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,369 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,221 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 52.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Buncombe County | 925 workers, 374 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Asheville-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Forest City, NC – 41.8 mi away (25,817 pop)
- Greeneville, TN – 43.9 mi away (23,953 pop)
- Greer, SC – 47.5 mi away (29,000 pop)
- Greenville, SC – 51.8 mi away (462,640 pop)
- Easley, SC – 51.9 mi away (20,953 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Asheville, NC?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Asheville. The closest is Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in Asheville, NC (0.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of South Carolina-Upstate (51.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Asheville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Asheville are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($146,680), Software Developer ($118,850), Information Security Analyst ($116,990). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with North Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Forest City instead of Asheville?
Forest City, NC is 41.8 miles from Asheville 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 Asheville an affordable place to study computer science?
Asheville’s median household income of $67,221 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Asheville while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina 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 North Carolina
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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