Best Online Computer Science Programs in Richmond, VA (2026)
Richmond, Virginia has a population of about 227,595. The city’s median household income is $62,671 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 44.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Richmond, with tuition ranging from $4,958 to $77,290 per year. In the Richmond, VA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $172,070 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Richmond
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Richmond city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | 1.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Richmond | University of Richmond, VA | 4.8 mi | $62,600 - $77,290 | – |
| Brightpoint Community College | Chester, VA | 13.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Randolph-Macon College | Ashland, VA | 16.0 mi | $48,002 - $61,174 | – |
| Rappahannock Community College | Glenns, VA | 47.3 mi | $4,958 - $12,149 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Richmond
Richmond is part of the Richmond, VA metro area (BLS area code 40060). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $130,760 | Richmond, VA | $133,565 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $102,020 | Richmond, VA | $104,208 |
| Computer Network Architect | $129,180 | Richmond, VA | $131,951 |
| Database Administrator | $94,500 | Richmond, VA | $96,527 |
| Database Architect | $128,070 | Richmond, VA | $130,817 |
| Information Security Analyst | $122,530 | Richmond, VA | $125,158 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $74,000 | Richmond, VA | $75,587 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $58,570 | Richmond, VA | $59,826 |
| Web Developer | $102,630 | Richmond, VA | $104,831 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $64,490 | Richmond, VA | $65,873 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $172,070 | Richmond, VA | $175,761 |
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.
Richmond at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,671 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 44.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Richmond (city) County | 1,198 workers, 248 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Richmond-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Hopewell, VA – 19.1 mi away (22,735 pop)
- Petersburg, VA – 22.9 mi away (31,882 pop)
- Williamsburg, VA – 45.8 mi away (81,840 pop)
- Fredericksburg, VA – 53.2 mi away (164,610 pop)
- Newport News, VA – 60.2 mi away (181,825 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Richmond, VA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Richmond. The closest is Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA (1.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Rappahannock Community College (47.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Richmond?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Richmond are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($172,070), Software Developer ($130,760), Computer Network Architect ($129,180). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hopewell instead of Richmond?
Hopewell, VA is 19.1 miles from Richmond 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 Richmond an affordable place to study computer science?
Richmond’s median household income of $62,671 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Richmond while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Virginia 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 Virginia
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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