Best Online Computer Science Programs in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a population of about 1,582,432. The city’s median household income is $60,698 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Philadelphia, with tuition ranging from $22,082 to $39,799 per year. In the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $170,330 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Philadelphia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Philadelphia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temple University | Philadelphia, PA | 1.9 mi | $22,082 - $39,799 | – |
| La Salle University | Philadelphia, PA | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Joseph’s University | Philadelphia, PA | 3.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Peirce College | Philadelphia, PA | 4.4 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 Philadelphia
Philadelphia is part of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area (BLS area code 37980). 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 | $130,670 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $127,359 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,760 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $99,181 |
| Computer Network Architect | $129,360 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $126,082 |
| Database Administrator | $108,280 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $105,536 |
| Database Architect | $143,110 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $139,483 |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,270 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $121,121 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $79,120 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $77,115 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $61,540 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $59,981 |
| Web Developer | $83,980 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $81,852 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $85,580 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $83,411 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $170,330 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $166,014 |
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.
Philadelphia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,698 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Philadelphia County | 5,144 workers, 502 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Philadelphia-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Camden, NJ – 5.1 mi away (74,420 pop)
- Norristown, PA – 13.5 mi away (34,370 pop)
- Chester, PA – 16.9 mi away (33,988 pop)
- Trenton, NJ – 24.6 mi away (293,697 pop)
- Wilmington, DE – 28.2 mi away (71,442 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Philadelphia, PA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Philadelphia. The closest is Temple University in Philadelphia, PA (1.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Peirce College (4.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Philadelphia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Philadelphia are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($170,330), Database Architect ($143,110), Software Developer ($130,670). 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 Camden instead of Philadelphia?
Camden, NJ is 5.1 miles from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia an affordable place to study computer science?
Philadelphia’s median household income of $60,698 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Philadelphia 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
Back to Best Online Computer Science Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)
Return to Best Online Computer Science Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)