Best Online Technology Programs in Columbia, MO (2026)

Columbia, Missouri has 5 accredited schools offering technology programs, with tuition ranging from $28,860 to $49,646 per year for indexed programs. Columbia has a population of about 127,200. Median household income is $64,488 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 56.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In the Columbia, MO metro area, the top-earning technology-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $129,700 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2025).


Closest Technology Schools to Columbia

The accredited institutions listed below are the closest in our directory that offer technology programs near Columbia, ranked by BOC Score and straight-line distance from Columbia city center. The list is rebuilt from federal IPEDS data on every site update.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. On this page, schools are ordered by distance from Columbia. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

Columbia College

Columbia, MO 0.7 miles from Columbia BOC Score 32.6
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited
Graduation rate 44%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $45,378
Avg net price $22,715/yr
Tuition
In‑state$25,826
Out‑of‑state$25,826
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 72%
  • Programs offered: 22

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO 0.8 miles from Columbia BOC Score 75.7
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 73%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $63,403
Avg net price $20,268/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 92%
  • Programs offered: 57

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri technology page.


Technology Wages Near Columbia

Columbia is part of the Columbia, MO metro area (BLS area code 17860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Missouri statewide.

OccupationMedian WageSourceCOL-Adjusted (US=100)
Software Developer$101,020Columbia, MO$112,998
Information Security Analyst$97,600Columbia, MO$109,172
Computer Network Architect$111,310Columbia, MO$124,508
Network and Computer Systems Administrator$78,610Columbia, MO$87,931
Computer Network Support Specialist$66,380Columbia, MO$74,251
Computer User Support Specialist$56,670Columbia, MO$63,389
Web Developer$81,050Columbia, MO$90,660
Computer and Information Systems Manager$129,700Columbia, MO$145,078

Source: BLS, May 2025 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.


Columbia at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population127,200Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$64,488Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+56.5%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)
Regional Price Parity (US=100)89.4 (below U.S. average)BEA RPP 2024
Technology-related employment in Boone County1,717 workers, 156 establishmentsBLS QCEW 2024 annual

Other Columbia-Area Cities With Technology Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited technology schools are near Columbia, MO?

Accredited schools offering technology programs near Columbia are listed on this page, ranked by BOC Score and distance from the city center. The list is rebuilt from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data on every site update, so it stays current as programs open and close.

What are the highest-paying technology roles near Columbia?

Based on BLS OEWS May 2025 wage data, the top-paying technology-related roles near Columbia are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($129,700), Computer Network Architect ($111,310), Software Developer ($101,020). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Missouri statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.

Should I look at programs in Jefferson City instead of Columbia?

Jefferson City, MO is 27.5 miles from Columbia 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 Columbia an affordable place to study technology?

Columbia’s median household income of $64,488 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbia while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Missouri 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.


Learn More About Technology Programs

Other Programs Available in Columbia

Compare every accredited online degree program with city-level data for Columbia:

Data verified: July 23, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; 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.