Providence, Rhode Island has a population of about 190,214. The city’s median household income is $66,772 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited technology programs within 100 miles of Providence. In the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, the top-earning technology-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $165,030 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer technology programs. Distances are calculated from Providence city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | Providence, RI | 0.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson & Wales University-Online | Providence, RI | 0.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Brown University | Providence, RI | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick, RI | 8.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln | Lincoln, RI | 8.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Rhode Island schools on the Rhode Island technology page.
Providence is part of the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area (BLS area code 39300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Rhode Island statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $132,010 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $129,676 |
| Information Security Analyst | $109,410 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $107,475 |
| Computer Network Architect | $125,150 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $122,937 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $99,910 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $98,143 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $78,810 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $77,417 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,840 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $58,782 |
| Web Developer | $95,380 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $93,694 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $165,030 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $162,112 |
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.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,772 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Technology-related employment in Providence County | 2,889 workers, 657 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Our directory lists 5 technology programs within 100 miles of Providence. The closest is Johnson & Wales University-Providence in Providence, RI (0.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln (8.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying technology-related roles near Providence are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($165,030), Software Developer ($132,010), Computer Network Architect ($125,150). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Rhode Island statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
East Providence, RI is 3.4 miles from Providence 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.
Providence’s median household income of $66,772 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Providence while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Rhode Island public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
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.
Return to Best Online Technology Programs in Rhode Island (2026)