Boone, North Carolina has a population of about 19,534. The city’s median household income is $28,633 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 53.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Boone, with tuition ranging from $2,367 to $18,703 per year. In North Carolina, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $167,550 annually (BLS, May 2024).
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Boone city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton | Elizabethton, TN | 34.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Milligan University | Milligan, TN | 35.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Abingdon, VA | 38.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory, NC | 41.3 mi | $2,367 - $18,703 | – |
| Montreat College | Montreat, NC | 52.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina computer science page.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (North Carolina, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Software Developer | $131,000 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $104,940 |
| Computer Network Architect | $126,000 |
| Database Administrator | $108,430 |
| Database Architect | $130,560 |
| Information Security Analyst | $121,070 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $79,680 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $58,660 |
| Web Developer | $94,070 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $84,990 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $167,550 |
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.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,534 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $28,633 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 53.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Computer Science-related employment in Watauga County | 329 workers, 34 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Boone. The closest is Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton in Elizabethton, TN (34.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Montreat College (52.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles in North Carolina are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($167,550), Software Developer ($131,000), Database Architect ($130,560). Wages for Boone workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Hickory, NC is 37.7 miles from Boone 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.
Boone’s median household income of $28,633 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Boone while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
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.
Return to Best Online Computer Science Programs in North Carolina (2026)