Best Online Computer Science Programs in Olympia, WA (2026)
Olympia, Washington has a population of about 55,583. The city’s median household income is $76,930 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Olympia. In the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $139,430 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Olympia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Olympia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Puget Sound Community College | Olympia, WA | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Martin’s University | Lacey, WA | 3.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The Evergreen State College | Olympia, WA | 4.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pierce College District | Lakewood, WA | 17.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | 20.9 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 Olympia
Olympia is part of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area (BLS area code 36500). 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 | $122,460 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $118,091 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $104,020 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $100,309 |
| Computer Network Architect | $114,700 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $110,608 |
| Database Administrator | $111,900 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $107,907 |
| Database Architect | $129,610 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $124,986 |
| Information Security Analyst | $120,440 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $116,143 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $90,070 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $86,856 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $66,090 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $63,732 |
| Web Developer | $108,190 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $104,330 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $91,920 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $88,640 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $139,430 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $134,455 |
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.
Olympia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,583 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,930 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.7 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Thurston County | 1,906 workers, 476 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Olympia-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Tumwater, WA – 3.6 mi away (22,538 pop)
- Lacey, WA – 4.8 mi away (47,688 pop)
- Lakewood, WA – 19.1 mi away (60,665 pop)
- University Place, WA – 20.3 mi away (33,288 pop)
- Centralia, WA – 22.3 mi away (41,077 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Olympia, WA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Olympia. The closest is South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, WA (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Clover Park Technical College (20.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Olympia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Olympia are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($139,430), Database Architect ($129,610), Software Developer ($122,460). 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 Tumwater instead of Olympia?
Tumwater, WA is 3.6 miles from Olympia 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 Olympia an affordable place to study computer science?
Olympia’s median household income of $76,930 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Olympia 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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