Best Online Computer Science Programs in Charleston, WV (2026)
Charleston, West Virginia has a population of about 47,918. The city’s median household income is $64,512 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 44.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 31 accredited schools offering computer science programs near Charleston, with tuition ranging from $8,942 to $44,031 per year for indexed programs. In the Charleston, WV metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $131,030 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to Charleston
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 31 schools in our directory that offer computer science programs near Charleston. Distances are calculated from Charleston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Charleston | Charleston, WV | 1.4 mi | $32,842 - $44,031 | – |
| BridgeValley Community & Technical College | South Charleston, WV | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Virginia State University | Institute, WV | 7.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Virginia Junior College-Charleston | Cross Lanes, WV | 10.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Strayer University-West Virginia | Scott Depot, WV | 17.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marshall University | Huntington, WV | 43.4 mi | $8,942 - $21,299 | – |
| Mountwest Community and Technical College | Huntington, WV | 44.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Virginia University Institute of Technology | Beckley, WV | 46.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New River Community and Technical College | Beaver, WV | 48.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Rio Grande | Rio Grande, OH | 54.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all West Virginia schools on the West Virginia computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near Charleston
Charleston is part of the Charleston, WV metro area (BLS area code 16620). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to West Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $100,020 | Charleston, WV | $112,762 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,050 | Charleston, WV | $111,669 |
| Computer Network Architect | $98,480 | Charleston, WV | $111,026 |
| Database Administrator | $63,110 | Charleston, WV | $71,150 |
| Database Architect | $108,150 | Charleston, WV | $121,928 |
| Information Security Analyst | $97,310 | Charleston, WV | $109,707 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $51,240 | Charleston, WV | $57,768 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $57,260 | Charleston, WV | $64,555 |
| Web Developer | $69,160 | WV statewide | $77,971 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $72,630 | WV statewide | $81,883 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $131,030 | Charleston, WV | $147,723 |
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 | 47,918 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,512 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 44.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in Kanawha County | 991 workers, 177 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Charleston-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Huntington, WV – 43.7 mi away (198,419 pop)
- Beckley, WV – 45.8 mi away (61,693 pop)
- Ashland, KY – 55.4 mi away (21,038 pop)
- Parkersburg, WV – 63.3 mi away (65,331 pop)
- Athens, OH – 72.1 mi away (30,077 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science schools are near Charleston, WV?
Our directory has 31 accredited schools offering computer science programs near Charleston. The closest is University of Charleston in Charleston, WV (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Rio Grande (54.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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 ($131,030), Database Architect ($108,150), Software Developer ($100,020). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with West Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Huntington instead of Charleston?
Huntington, WV is 43.7 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 $64,512 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Charleston while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and West 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 West Virginia
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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