Best Online Technology Programs in Providence, RI (2026)

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).


Closest Technology Schools to Providence

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer technology programs. Distances are calculated from Providence city center.

SchoolCityDistanceTuitionOnline
Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceProvidence, RI0.4 miContact school for pricing
Johnson & Wales University-OnlineProvidence, RI0.4 miContact school for pricing
Brown UniversityProvidence, RI0.9 miContact school for pricing
Community College of Rhode IslandWarwick, RI8.2 miContact school for pricing
Lincoln Technical Institute-LincolnLincoln, RI8.6 miContact school for pricing

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


Technology Wages Near Providence

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.

OccupationMedian WageSourceCOL-Adjusted (US=100)
Software Developer$132,010Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$129,676
Information Security Analyst$109,410Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$107,475
Computer Network Architect$125,150Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$122,937
Network and Computer Systems Administrator$99,910Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$98,143
Computer Network Support Specialist$78,810Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$77,417
Computer User Support Specialist$59,840Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$58,782
Web Developer$95,380Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$93,694
Computer and Information Systems Manager$165,030Providence-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.


Providence at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population190,214Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$66,772Census 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 County2,889 workers, 657 establishmentsBLS QCEW 2024 annual

Other Providence-Area Cities With Technology Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited technology programs are near Providence, RI?

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.

What are the highest-paying technology roles near Providence?

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.

Should I look at programs in East Providence instead of Providence?

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.

Is Providence an affordable place to study technology?

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.

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.