Best Online Computer Science Programs in La Crosse, WI (2026)
La Crosse, Wisconsin has a population of about 51,791. The city’s median household income is $53,803 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of La Crosse. In Wisconsin, the top-earning computer science-related role is Database Architect at a median $138,930 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Computer Science Schools to La Crosse
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from La Crosse city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | La Crosse, WI | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona, MN | 23.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota | Winona, MN | 27.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar, IA | 55.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Wisconsin schools on the Wisconsin computer science page.
Computer Science Wages Near La Crosse
La Crosse is part of the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area (BLS area code 29100). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Wisconsin statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $99,930 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $108,856 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,440 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $108,322 |
| Computer Network Architect | $122,550 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $133,497 |
| Database Administrator | $94,150 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $102,560 |
| Database Architect | $138,930 | WI statewide | $151,340 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,980 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $112,179 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $69,620 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $75,839 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $57,380 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $62,505 |
| Web Developer | $72,050 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $78,486 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $80,210 | WI statewide | $87,375 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $136,560 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $148,758 |
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.
La Crosse at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,791 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,803 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Computer Science-related employment in La Crosse County | 789 workers, 65 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other La Crosse-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs
- Winona, MN – 27.0 mi away (30,208 pop)
- Rochester, MN – 63.6 mi away (114,976 pop)
- Eau Claire, WI – 70.1 mi away (106,681 pop)
- Wisconsin Rapids, WI – 79.9 mi away (28,406 pop)
- Austin, MN – 87.8 mi away (25,105 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited computer science programs are near La Crosse, WI?
Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of La Crosse. The closest is University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in La Crosse, WI (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northeast Iowa Community College (55.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying computer science roles near La Crosse?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near La Crosse are: Database Architect ($138,930), Computer and Information Systems Manager ($136,560), Computer Network Architect ($122,550). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Wisconsin statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Winona instead of La Crosse?
Winona, MN is 27.0 miles from La Crosse 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 La Crosse an affordable place to study computer science?
La Crosse’s median household income of $53,803 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in La Crosse while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
- Main Computer Science Degree Guide
- Computer Science Programs by State
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