Best Online Technology Programs in Fort Walton Beach, FL (2026)
Fort Walton Beach, Florida has a population of about 20,956. The city’s median household income is $66,556 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited technology programs within 100 miles of Fort Walton Beach, with tuition ranging from $2,348 to $9,718 per year. In the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL metro area, the top-earning technology-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $159,660 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Technology Schools to Fort Walton Beach
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer technology programs. Distances are calculated from Fort Walton Beach city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okaloosa Technical College | Fort Walton Beach, FL | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest Florida State College | Niceville, FL | 10.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Radford M Locklin Technical College | Milton, FL | 32.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | 34.9 mi | $2,348 - $9,718 | – |
| Emerald Coast Technical College | DeFuniak Springs, FL | 36.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida technology page.
Technology Wages Near Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach is part of the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL metro area (BLS area code 18880). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Florida statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $127,650 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $131,598 |
| Information Security Analyst | $107,670 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $111,000 |
| Computer Network Architect | $128,630 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $132,608 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $87,540 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $90,247 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $79,310 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $81,763 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $58,990 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $60,814 |
| Web Developer | $66,260 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $68,309 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $159,660 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $164,598 |
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.
Fort Walton Beach at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,956 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,556 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Technology-related employment in Okaloosa County | 661 workers, 146 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fort Walton Beach-Area Cities With Technology Programs
- Crestview, FL – 22.5 mi away (36,433 pop)
- Pensacola, FL – 33.9 mi away (352,187 pop)
- Lynn Haven, FL – 59.9 mi away (20,850 pop)
- Panama City, FL – 61.9 mi away (147,788 pop)
- Prichard, AL – 93.0 mi away (22,185 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited technology programs are near Fort Walton Beach, FL?
Our directory lists 5 technology programs within 100 miles of Fort Walton Beach. The closest is Okaloosa Technical College in Fort Walton Beach, FL (3.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Emerald Coast Technical College (36.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying technology roles near Fort Walton Beach?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying technology-related roles near Fort Walton Beach are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($159,660), Computer Network Architect ($128,630), Software Developer ($127,650). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Florida statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Crestview instead of Fort Walton Beach?
Crestview, FL is 22.5 miles from Fort Walton Beach and has its own set of local technology programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Fort Walton Beach an affordable place to study technology?
Fort Walton Beach’s median household income of $66,556 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fort Walton Beach while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Florida 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.