Best Online Computer Science Programs in Wilmington, NC (2026)
Wilmington, North Carolina has a population of about 118,578. The city’s median household income is $63,900 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 45.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Wilmington, with tuition ranging from $11,640 to $29,628 per year. In the Wilmington, NC metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $141,190 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Wilmington
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Wilmington city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, NC | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Miller-Motte College-Wilmington | Wilmington, NC | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway, SC | 70.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Coastal Carolina University | Conway, SC | 70.7 mi | $11,640 - $29,628 | – |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke, NC | 82.0 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 Wilmington
Wilmington is part of the Wilmington, NC metro area (BLS area code 48900). 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 | $120,240 | Wilmington, NC | $124,730 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $89,580 | Wilmington, NC | $92,925 |
| Computer Network Architect | $107,570 | Wilmington, NC | $111,587 |
| Database Administrator | $110,360 | Wilmington, NC | $114,481 |
| Database Architect | $117,130 | Wilmington, NC | $121,504 |
| Information Security Analyst | $119,100 | Wilmington, NC | $123,548 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $81,730 | Wilmington, NC | $84,782 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $58,850 | Wilmington, NC | $61,048 |
| Web Developer | $77,580 | Wilmington, NC | $80,477 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $66,320 | Wilmington, NC | $68,797 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $141,190 | Wilmington, NC | $146,463 |
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.
Wilmington at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,900 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 45.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in New Hanover County | 1,187 workers, 298 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Wilmington-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Jacksonville, NC – 45.6 mi away (101,865 pop)
- Myrtle Beach, SC – 66.9 mi away (256,079 pop)
- Lumberton, NC – 70.8 mi away (29,681 pop)
- Conway, SC – 70.9 mi away (22,761 pop)
- Havelock, NC – 74.0 mi away (21,083 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Wilmington, NC?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Wilmington. The closest is University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of North Carolina at Pembroke (82.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Wilmington?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Wilmington are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($141,190), Software Developer ($120,240), Information Security Analyst ($119,100). 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 Jacksonville instead of Wilmington?
Jacksonville, NC is 45.6 miles from Wilmington 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 Wilmington an affordable place to study computer science?
Wilmington’s median household income of $63,900 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wilmington 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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