Best Online Computer Science Programs in Kent, WA (2026)
Kent, Washington has a population of about 135,015. The city’s median household income is $90,416 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Kent. In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $212,450 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Kent
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Kent city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highline College | Des Moines, WA | 4.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Green River College | Auburn, WA | 5.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Renton Technical College | Renton, WA | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Seattle College | Seattle, WA | 13.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | 13.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Kent
Kent is part of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area (BLS area code 42660). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Washington statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $169,340 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $152,421 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $132,580 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $119,334 |
| Computer Network Architect | $166,880 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $150,207 |
| Database Administrator | $133,310 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $119,991 |
| Database Architect | $155,880 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $140,306 |
| Information Security Analyst | $152,660 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $137,408 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $97,200 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,489 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $73,230 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $65,914 |
| Web Developer | $120,750 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $108,686 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $132,310 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $119,091 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $212,450 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $191,224 |
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.
Kent at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,416 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 111.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in King County | 50,750 workers, 6,492 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Kent-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Des Moines, WA – 4.8 mi away (31,172 pop)
- Covington, WA – 5.3 mi away (20,478 pop)
- SeaTac, WA – 5.6 mi away (28,873 pop)
- Auburn, WA – 5.9 mi away (77,472 pop)
- Renton, WA – 6.1 mi away (100,953 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Kent, WA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Kent. The closest is Highline College in Des Moines, WA (4.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bellevue College (13.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Kent?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Kent are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($212,450), Software Developer ($169,340), Computer Network Architect ($166,880). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Washington statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Des Moines instead of Kent?
Des Moines, WA is 4.8 miles from Kent 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 Kent an affordable place to study computer science?
Kent’s median household income of $90,416 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Kent while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Washington 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 Washington
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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