Best Online Computer Science Programs in Charleston, SC (2026)
Charleston, South Carolina has a population of about 152,014. The city’s median household income is $90,038 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 57.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Charleston, with tuition ranging from $4,564 to $29,957 per year. In the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $157,580 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Charleston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Charleston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, SC | 1.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trident Technical College | Charleston, SC | 8.9 mi | $4,564 - $11,453 | – |
| South Carolina State University | Orangeburg, SC | 69.6 mi | $11,060 - $29,957 | – |
| Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg, SC | 71.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Denmark Technical College | Denmark, SC | 76.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Charleston
Charleston is part of the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area (BLS area code 16700). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to South Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $124,790 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $123,554 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $100,400 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $99,406 |
| Computer Network Architect | $127,020 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $125,762 |
| Database Administrator | $85,630 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $84,782 |
| Database Architect | $136,640 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $135,287 |
| Information Security Analyst | $99,150 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $98,168 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $77,310 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $76,545 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $52,290 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $51,772 |
| Web Developer | $81,170 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $80,366 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $68,550 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $67,871 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $157,580 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $156,020 |
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.
Charleston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,038 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 57.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.0 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Charleston County | 3,787 workers, 873 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Charleston-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Hanahan, SC – 8.4 mi away (23,439 pop)
- Mount Pleasant, SC – 8.4 mi away (84,170 pop)
- North Charleston, SC – 9.0 mi away (109,298 pop)
- Goose Creek, SC – 12.6 mi away (42,039 pop)
- Summerville, SC – 18.1 mi away (49,323 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Charleston, SC?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Charleston. The closest is Citadel Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, SC (1.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Denmark Technical College (76.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Charleston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Charleston are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($157,580), Database Architect ($136,640), Computer Network Architect ($127,020). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with South Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hanahan instead of Charleston?
Hanahan, SC is 8.4 miles from Charleston 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 Charleston an affordable place to study computer science?
Charleston’s median household income of $90,038 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Charleston while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and South 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 South Carolina
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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