Best Online Computer Science Programs in Durham, NC (2026)
Durham, North Carolina has a population of about 288,465. The city’s median household income is $79,234 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 55.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Durham, with tuition ranging from $2,336 to $58,752 per year. In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer Network Architect at a median $172,280 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Durham
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Durham city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyComputerCareer at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 17.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 19.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | 25.5 mi | $2,336 - $16,798 | – |
| Campbell University | Buies Creek, NC | 40.6 mi | $40,410 - $58,752 | – |
| North Carolina A & T State University | Greensboro, NC | 48.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Durham
Durham is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area (BLS area code 20500). 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 | $131,980 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $135,225 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $112,820 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $115,594 |
| Computer Network Architect | $172,280 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $176,516 |
| Database Administrator | $103,420 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $105,963 |
| Database Architect | $130,560 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $133,770 |
| Information Security Analyst | $125,750 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $128,842 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $114,630 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $117,449 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $63,370 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $64,928 |
| Web Developer | $84,160 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $86,230 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $106,900 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $109,529 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $169,380 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $173,545 |
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.
Durham at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $79,234 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 55.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Durham County | 6,236 workers, 704 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Durham-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Chapel Hill, NC – 8.4 mi away (59,246 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 10.7 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Carrboro, NC – 10.9 mi away (21,265 pop)
- Cary, NC – 14.6 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Apex, NC – 17.8 mi away (47,349 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Durham, NC?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Durham. The closest is MyComputerCareer at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC (17.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is North Carolina A & T State University (48.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Durham?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Durham are: Computer Network Architect ($172,280), Computer and Information Systems Manager ($169,380), Software Developer ($131,980). 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 Chapel Hill instead of Durham?
Chapel Hill, NC is 8.4 miles from Durham 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 Durham an affordable place to study computer science?
Durham’s median household income of $79,234 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Durham 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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