Best Online Computer Science Programs in Raleigh, NC (2026)
Raleigh, North Carolina has a population of about 470,763. The city’s median household income is $82,424 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 52.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Raleigh, with tuition ranging from $2,336 to $58,752 per year. In the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $169,400 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Raleigh
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Raleigh city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| MyComputerCareer at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 6.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | 13.1 mi | $2,336 - $16,798 | – |
| Campbell University | Buies Creek, NC | 29.8 mi | $40,410 - $58,752 | – |
| Wayne Community College | Goldsboro, NC | 49.3 mi | $2,524 - $11,311 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Raleigh
Raleigh is part of the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area (BLS area code 39580). 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 | $131,390 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $133,798 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,610 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $107,546 |
| Computer Network Architect | $114,400 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $116,497 |
| Database Administrator | $117,570 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $119,725 |
| Database Architect | $129,000 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $131,365 |
| Information Security Analyst | $115,990 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $118,116 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $76,590 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $77,994 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $60,010 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,110 |
| Web Developer | $92,470 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $94,165 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $84,990 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $86,548 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $169,400 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $172,505 |
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.
Raleigh at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $82,424 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 52.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Wake County | 18,569 workers, 3,610 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Raleigh-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Garner, NC – 9.6 mi away (28,776 pop)
- Cary, NC – 10.3 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 10.7 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Wake Forest, NC – 11.6 mi away (40,112 pop)
- Apex, NC – 14.5 mi away (47,349 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Raleigh, NC?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Raleigh. The closest is North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC (3.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wayne Community College (49.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Raleigh?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Raleigh are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($169,400), Software Developer ($131,390), Database Architect ($129,000). 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 Garner instead of Raleigh?
Garner, NC is 9.6 miles from Raleigh 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 Raleigh an affordable place to study computer science?
Raleigh’s median household income of $82,424 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Raleigh 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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