Best Online Computer Science Programs in Richland, WA (2026)
Richland, Washington has a population of about 61,912. The city’s median household income is $92,550 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Richland. In the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $173,620 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Richland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Richland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | 8.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Walla Walla Community College | Walla Walla, WA | 50.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake, WA | 58.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Yakima Valley College | Yakima, WA | 62.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Oregon University | La Grande, OR | 88.3 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 Richland
Richland is part of the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area (BLS area code 28420). 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 | $132,160 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $132,028 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,540 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $127,413 |
| Computer Network Architect | $137,080 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $136,943 |
| Database Administrator | $120,330 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $120,210 |
| Database Architect | $129,830 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $129,700 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,120 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $137,982 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $79,160 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $79,081 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $66,150 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $66,084 |
| Web Developer | $111,480 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $111,369 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $68,890 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $68,821 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $173,620 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $173,447 |
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.
Richland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,912 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $92,550 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Benton County | 273 workers, 114 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Richland-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Kennewick, WA – 8.2 mi away (229,624 pop)
- Pasco, WA – 8.3 mi away (70,579 pop)
- Hermiston, OR – 31.1 mi away (28,704 pop)
- Walla Walla, WA – 48.2 mi away (56,509 pop)
- Moses Lake, WA – 58.4 mi away (36,662 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near Richland, WA?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Richland. The closest is Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA (8.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Eastern Oregon University (88.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Richland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Richland are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($173,620), Information Security Analyst ($138,120), Computer Network Architect ($137,080). 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 Kennewick instead of Richland?
Kennewick, WA is 8.2 miles from Richland 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 Richland an affordable place to study computer science?
Richland’s median household income of $92,550 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Richland 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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