Best Online Computer Science Programs in Gastonia, NC (2026)
Gastonia, North Carolina has a population of about 81,632. The city’s median household income is $60,554 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Gastonia, with tuition ranging from $2,367 to $30,286 per year. In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $172,100 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Gastonia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Gastonia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeVry University-North Carolina | Charlotte, NC | 16.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Winthrop University | Rock Hill, SC | 23.1 mi | $15,956 - $30,286 | – |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | 26.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Limestone University | Gaffney, SC | 29.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory, NC | 31.5 mi | $2,367 - $18,703 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Gastonia
Gastonia is part of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area (BLS area code 16740). 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 | $132,100 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $135,766 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $110,020 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $113,073 |
| Computer Network Architect | $129,640 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $133,237 |
| Database Administrator | $109,940 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $112,991 |
| Database Architect | $138,480 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $142,323 |
| Information Security Analyst | $127,840 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $131,387 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $65,380 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $67,194 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $61,250 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $62,950 |
| Web Developer | $96,110 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,777 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $96,450 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $99,126 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $172,100 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $176,876 |
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.
Gastonia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,554 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Gaston County | 284 workers, 102 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gastonia-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Lincolnton, NC – 15.8 mi away (23,264 pop)
- Charlotte, NC – 20.2 mi away (1,438,351 pop)
- Shelby, NC – 20.3 mi away (27,288 pop)
- Huntersville, NC – 20.6 mi away (54,839 pop)
- Cornelius, NC – 23.0 mi away (28,515 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Gastonia, NC?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Gastonia. The closest is DeVry University-North Carolina in Charlotte, NC (16.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Catawba Valley Community College (31.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Gastonia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Gastonia are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($172,100), Database Architect ($138,480), Software Developer ($132,100). 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 Lincolnton instead of Gastonia?
Lincolnton, NC is 15.8 miles from Gastonia 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 Gastonia an affordable place to study computer science?
Gastonia’s median household income of $60,554 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gastonia 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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