Best Online Computer Science Programs in Harrisburg, PA (2026)
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has a population of about 50,092. The city’s median household income is $47,783 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 26.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Harrisburg. In the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $143,410 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Harrisburg
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Harrisburg city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg University of Science and Technology | Harrisburg, PA | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg, PA | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Messiah University | Mechanicsburg, PA | 7.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg | Middletown, PA | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| YTI Career Institute-York | York, PA | 22.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Harrisburg
Harrisburg is part of the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area (BLS area code 25420). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Pennsylvania statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $106,690 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $108,095 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $94,590 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $95,836 |
| Computer Network Architect | $119,450 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $121,023 |
| Database Administrator | $96,100 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $97,366 |
| Database Architect | $131,470 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $133,202 |
| Information Security Analyst | $105,280 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $106,667 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $75,110 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $76,099 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $58,780 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $59,554 |
| Web Developer | $103,940 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $105,309 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $73,690 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $74,661 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $143,410 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $145,299 |
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.
Harrisburg at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,092 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $47,783 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 26.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Dauphin County | 832 workers, 138 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Harrisburg-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- York, PA – 22.9 mi away (232,796 pop)
- Lebanon, PA – 24.7 mi away (77,839 pop)
- Hanover, PA – 32.4 mi away (67,480 pop)
- Lancaster, PA – 34.7 mi away (401,205 pop)
- Shamokin, PA – 39.4 mi away (29,054 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Harrisburg, PA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Harrisburg. The closest is Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Harrisburg, PA (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is YTI Career Institute-York (22.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Harrisburg?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Harrisburg are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($143,410), Database Architect ($131,470), Computer Network Architect ($119,450). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Pennsylvania statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in York instead of Harrisburg?
York, PA is 22.9 miles from Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg an affordable place to study computer science?
Harrisburg’s median household income of $47,783 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Harrisburg while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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