Best Online Computer Science Programs in State College, PA (2026)
State College, Pennsylvania has a population of about 40,669. The city’s median household income is $47,132 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 70.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of State College. In the State College, PA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $181,570 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to State College
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from State College city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-World Campus | University Park, PA | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona | Altoona, PA | 33.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center | Altoona, PA | 34.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Francis University | Loretto, PA | 45.5 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 State College
State College is part of the State College, PA metro area (BLS area code 44300). 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 | $103,380 | State College, PA | $106,798 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $92,130 | State College, PA | $95,176 |
| Computer Network Architect | $98,400 | State College, PA | $101,653 |
| Database Administrator | $107,800 | PA statewide | $111,364 |
| Database Architect | $129,040 | PA statewide | $133,306 |
| Information Security Analyst | $137,730 | State College, PA | $142,283 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $69,850 | State College, PA | $72,159 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $54,970 | State College, PA | $56,787 |
| Web Developer | $89,910 | PA statewide | $92,882 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $61,030 | PA statewide | $63,048 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $181,570 | State College, PA | $187,572 |
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.
State College at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,669 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $47,132 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 70.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Centre County | 527 workers, 56 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other State College-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Lewistown, PA – 20.0 mi away (21,854 pop)
- Altoona, PA – 34.6 mi away (76,943 pop)
- Williamsport, PA – 52.8 mi away (55,100 pop)
- Milton, PA – 54.7 mi away (30,198 pop)
- Sunbury, PA – 56.1 mi away (28,544 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near State College, PA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of State College. The closest is Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus in University Park, PA (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Saint Francis University (45.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near State College?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near State College are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($181,570), Information Security Analyst ($137,730), Database Architect ($129,040). 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 Lewistown instead of State College?
Lewistown, PA is 20.0 miles from State College 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 State College an affordable place to study computer science?
State College’s median household income of $47,132 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in State College 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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