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Online Computer Science Degree – How to Choose a Program

Best Online Computer Science Degree

By now “the world is changing at an accelerating rate” is almost a cliche: we’re swimming in the oceans of data and facing digital transformation in our daily lives. It’s true for our homes and it’s true for our jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for Computer Science (CS) professionals is expected to grow by 26% in the next decade alone.
In the post-pandemic world, this translates into the need for more distance learning programs that equip students with real-world applicable skill sets in the field.

Luckily, in recent years, most professional colleges nationwide have begun to recognize this problem and adjust their curriculums accordingly. Today, anyone can obtain an online CS degree – Bachelor’s or Master’s. Our essay writer service has come up with a guide on how to choose a perfect online computer science program, taking multiple factors into consideration. Let’s dive in.

Top Colleges with Online Computer Science Programs

There are plenty of good colleges across this wonderful nation, but we had to look at all the key factors, such as:

  • Availability of 100% online curriculum
  • Average tuition
  • Acceptance rate
  • Graduation rate
  • Accreditation

The price is now always the main concern here, but let’s not get into spoilers yet. Here’s the list of the top 13 online Computer Science higher education giants you should consider.  

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Source: https://essaypro.com/blog/best-online-computer-science-degree-programs
Cost per Credit:
$656 for undergraduates
Acceptance Rate:
93%
Graduation Rate:
75%
Accredited by:
New England Commission of Higher Education

This private college makes up for its steep tuition fees by offering a Computer Science Bachelor's degree online ranging from game design to data forensics. The program teaches every coding language in high demand today, including Python, and offers internships throughout the New England region. You only need 42 hours to obtain the degree, but the college also requires up to 78 transferable credits to enroll. With a high acceptance rate and a pretty good ratio between that and the graduation rate, this is a perfect option for students with previously acquired Computer Science credits. 

Cost per Credit:
between $316.75 and $647
Acceptance Rate:
84%
Graduation Rate:
61%
Accredited by
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

The University of Illinois at Springfield is one of the country’s online computer schools with a few surprises up its sleeve: in addition to teaching students classic programming languages, the online CS course offers proficiency in communication skills, like technical writing, public speaking, and more. Students are also taught four systems programming software language tools, such as Perl and SQL. If you’re ready to invest 128 academic hours of your life at a reasonable cost, this is just what you need. 

Cost per Credit:
$860
Acceptance Rate:
74%
Graduation Rate:
62%
Accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Lewis University

Ranked as one of the U.S. Top Tier Colleges, Lewis University offers one of the best online Computer Science Master's degree programs out there, with as many as six distinct concentrations, including software engineering, cyber security, and digital forensics, to name a few. The college provides students with multiple state-of-the-art resources and excellent career opportunities, hence the high cost and relatively strict requirements. It is not all that strict, though, as the students with a GPA lower than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are allowed to prove themselves during the first 9 credit hours: an admirable approach in my book. 

Cost per Credit:
ranging between $540 and $825 
Acceptance Rate:
94%
Graduation Rate:
72%
Accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Here’s a great option to launch your career in the cyber-tech industry: Maryville University offers a Computer Science Bachelor degree online at a reasonable price with input by the major employers in the field. The program boasts a career-oriented curriculum, teaching students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and user experience (UX/UI), along with classic software development skills. The acceptance and graduation rates look promising, and the minimum GPA of 2.5 (high school) is definitely a plus. And, to top all that, the university offers a much cheaper Early Access program for undergraduates. Sounds like a good deal. 

Cost per Credit:
$525
Acceptance Rate:
85%
Graduation Rate:
61%
Accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is laser-focused on turning its students into IT professionals capable of creating solutions that benefit private, public, and non-profit sectors. Apart from the standard online computer schools’ curriculum, the program focuses on ethical and moral aspects of using computers in our modern society. While the university offers a Bachelor’s degree in computer science with business skills at the forefront, it also has an online MS in Cybersecurity course. And all of this goodness comes at prices way below the nationwide average, giving a clear preference to the residents of the state of Wisconsin. 

Cost per Credit:
In-state: $294.75 / Out-of-state: $377.25
Acceptance Rate:
28%
Graduation Rate:
36%
Accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Eastern New Mexico University

This college allows you to study Computer Science 100% online and combine it with in-person attendance if that is your thing. Whatever online resources the student needs, the college delivers: e-books, databases, tutoring services, virtual assistance via phone or email, you name it. You should watch out for the relatively low acceptance rate, though, but with only $294.75 per credit hour, the competition is understandable. The curriculum’s duration, however, is pretty standard, at 120 hours, making it a good bargain. The ENMU also boasts a high rate of successful careers for its graduates, so it’s definitely worth considering as an option. 

Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate: $257.33 Graduate: $338.62
Acceptance Rate:
88%
Graduation Rate:
51%
Accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Fort State Hays University

This Kansas university offers a Computer Science Bachelor degree program for online students, preparing them for careers in government agencies, small businesses, and Fortune 500 corporations, among others. A decent acceptance rate and a fairly low per-credit cost (especially for the undergraduates), make this college a great IT career-launching choice. In addition to great career opportunities, the program takes good care of its students by having an academic advisor tracking their progress and assisting them every step of the way. 

Cost per Credit:
$574
Acceptance Rate:
100%
Graduation Rate:
18%
Accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

University of Phoenix

With a whopping acceptance rate of 100%, the University of Phoenix in Arizona basically opens doors to everyone eager to study Computer Science online. The average tuition is rather affordable, too, at just below $10K, making no distinction between in-state and out-of-state students, which is nice. Now, while the graduation rate at this college is famously low, we believe it shouldn’t stop a truly zealous learner from succeeding at their quest (120 hours of credit is a pretty standard number). If you have any transferable credits, they may be used to shorten the duration of the program.  

Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate: $316 / Graduate: $537
Acceptance Rate:
99%
Graduation Rate:
37%
Accredited by:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Eastern Oregon University

Like our previous entry, this college has an almost sure-fire acceptance rate and the cost per credit for the undergraduates is rather nice. This could be the right Computer Science Bachelor degree available online for you. You will still need to clock in 180 hours of hard work but you will be rewarded towards the end as this university offers zero tuition for the last 12 credits, given your heretofore academic standing is immaculate. After all, the future hasn’t been written yet, it’s all in your hands. 

Cost per Credit:
$563
Acceptance Rate:
90%
Graduation Rate:
69%
Accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Arizona State University at Tempe

For those who wish to get a truly in-depth advanced understanding of computer science, Arizona State University offers one of the best online Computer Science Master's degree programs. The college makes a point of preparing its students for in-demand high-paying jobs, incorporating a great variety of needed skills in the program. And here’s the sweet part: the non-degree students can get into the program by earning 9 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 from Arizona State University, and the program itself is only 30 credit hours long. Truly, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.    

Cost per Credit:
$321.80
Acceptance Rate:
70%
Graduation Rate:
31%
Accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

East Central University

Here’s to the low-cost education programs! In 2-4 years (part-time vs full-time), you can get a Computer Science Bachelor degree 100% online from East Central University for a fairly reasonable cost of $321.80 per credit. The program uses a business-oriented approach to teaching Computer Science, providing students with the skills necessary to solve real-world problems. Practical mathematics is also an essential part of the curriculum as it is directly related to the fundamental understanding of the cyber technologies' real-world application. If you have studied before, you can transfer 24 credits or more and show a minimum GPA of 2.0 to enroll. 

Cost per Unit:
$1514
Acceptance Rate:
4%
Graduation Rate:
93%
Accredited by:
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Stanford University

Yes, this is an expensive one, but definitely worth your time and money. The MS degree in Computer Science from Stanford University will look great on anyone’s application. Stanford has recently ranked #3 according to the U.S. News National University, making it one of the best universities in the USA

today. Besides, Stanford is basically one of the top online Computer Science schools in Silicon Valley: it’s practically synonymous with technology. It is highly selective in its applicant choice, but 93% of students successfully graduate – so if you know what you want, Stanford is key. 

Cost per Credit:
from $1,086
Acceptance Rate:
8%
Graduation Rate:
94%
Accredited by:
Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET

Johns Hopkins University

Ranking #6 in National Universities, Johns Hopkins may not be as prestigious as Stanford, but it is still pretty high up there. Its acceptance rate is twice as high compared to the Cardinal, which could explain a steeper price. Yet for those who wish to study Computer Science online, Johns Hopkins offers a program accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET with strong educational objectivesб special education program and perfect for students with special needs.   

How to Choose Online Computer Science Degree Programs

If you’re truly willing to go the distance and obtain a degree by enrolling in one of the top online Computer Science programs, we recommend doing so only after careful consideration of several important factors. That calls for a small guide, and we as writers know all about such things, as how to write a reflection paper, for example. 

So here are the factors you should consider:

  • Bachelor’s vs Master’s: You probably already know the answer, but asking again won’t hurt – have you got any academic credits in Computer Science already? If you do, go straight for the Master’s degree, if not – Bachelor’s degree programs are perfect for you.
  • Acceptance rate: A college with an acceptance rate of 80% and higher sounds like a good deal – your chances to enroll are pretty high. Lower rates mean more competition, but this is where we leave the final decision to you.
  • Graduation rate: If this figure is low (e.g. 10%), it could mean a number of things, but the primary cause might be that the requirements for succeeding in the program are really strict. Again, this should not stop an ardent learner on their journey, but it will probably take all they have.
  • Duration: While 120 credit hours are the standard, some colleges will offer longer or shorter programs. In most of these programs, the price is set per 1 credit, which means the more credit hours – the steeper the price.
  • Budget: Yes, the prices do vary. But we recommend tying this factor with other ones on this list. For example, the price can be steep, but the acceptance rate is high and program duration relatively low: 2 against 1. Mind that big universities will almost always have expensive tuition, but degrees associated with their names will definitely have more weight in the eyes of your future employers.

These are the key ingredients to most online degree programs. We recommend creating a spreadsheet with all the figures stacked against each other for comparison. Success is waiting just behind the corner. 

What Is the Best Online School for Computer Science?

Today, there are many good online Computer Science college programs, and pinpointing the best one is not an easy task. But the choice should be a perfect ratio between all the factors we’ve discussed above. Namely, it should

  • be affordable (as compared to the national average);
  • have relatively high acceptance & graduation rates;
  • be 100% online; 
  • have a duration that suits you best (part-time will always take longer).

For example, the University of Wisconsin-Patteville is a very good candidate when viewed through the prism of its acceptance rate of 85% and the standard 120 credit hours required to obtain the degree. On the other hand, Fort State Hayes University is slightly cheaper and has an acceptance rate of 88%, but its graduation rate is 10% lower than that of Wisconsin-Patteville. Finally, the University of Phoenix is cheaper still, and boasts a whopping 100% acceptance rate, but only about 18% of students successfully graduate.

Nothing is truly perfect, but we are confident you will find what you’re looking for. 

Which Online Certification Is Best for Computer Science?

While there are many online CS certificates on the internet, obtaining a top online Computer Science Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is on a whole another level. You can even go further and obtain a PhD in Computer Science, although that feels a bit like one step too far. That’s why we advise you to take it slow but take it seriously and head straight for the academic degree.

The key here is to understand that an online diploma is just like a physical diploma in the old times. A professional with a Master’s degree will surely land a higher-paying job but will also be expected to deliver results to match that pay. On the other hand, you can always consider exploring complimentary resources online from such major schools as Harvard.

See related: Harvard free online courses.

Degree Requirements

It is fairly easy to get a Computer Science degree online these days. The requirements vary from college to college and also depend on the degree you’re after. 

Here are the most common requirements you’ll meet:

  • GPA score. Most colleges require you to have a minimal GPA score before you enroll. Some schools are more lenient than others, accepting students with a GPA of 2.0, while others will ask for 3.0 or higher.
  • High school transcripts. PThis is not a strict requirement, but most colleges will ask undergraduates to share their transcripts for consideration.
  • Transferable credits. If you’re seeking to obtain your second degree (BS or MS), you might want to transfer some of the credits. In the case of Master’s degree programs, transferable credits are required for a student to enroll.
  • Earn a minimum number of credits: In order to obtain a degree, you will need to finish all of the courses in the program. As a rule, one course gives you 3 credits (credit hours), and the standard total required minimum is 120 credits. With transferable credits, you will probably need fewer credit hours to qualify for the degree.

Is Online Computer Science Program Worth It?

Okay, let’s be honest: the internet is teeming with free to semi-free online courses in HTML, CSS, Java, Python, SQL, and the list goes on. The problem with all these online courses is that while they do provide you with specific practical skills, they’re not nearly as comprehensive as the academic, accredited college/university programs.

Plus, an online certificate simply does not compare with an actual Bachelor’s or Master’s of Sciences degree. As you’ve seen before, a university’s online computer science program provides in-depth knowledge in the field combined with real career opportunities. In other words, their approach is academic, profound, and career-oriented. The choice is all yours. 

Which Computer Science Degree Is Best?

When it comes to getting a degree in anything online, quite a few people today still have this notion that “online isn’t real.” But times have changed. As long as your online Computer Science degree is accredited, i.e. obtained from an official higher education institution with the required amount of credits earned, you are legit. Now, of course, like with any other discipline, a Bachelor’s degree is just one notch below that of a Master’s.

This means that if you really want to feel on top of things, you will have to obtain a Master’s degree as well. This is entirely up to you, of course: Bachelor’s degree in CS is an impressive achievement, no matter what.  

See related article about E learning pros and cons

Computer Science Degree Jobs and Salary

Now let’s take a brief look at the amazing career opportunities that open before the Computer Science students today and in the next decade.

Job Title Average Annual Salary Projected Employment Rate Growth (2021-2031)
Computer programmer $102,790 -10%
Software developer $132,930 26%
Web developer $87,580 30%
Computer network architect $129,410 4%
Computer systems analyst $107,530 9%

The takeaway here is that simply knowing how to code and solve problems may not be as highly valued in the next decade as it is today. Instead, employees will probably look more at the broader skill sets of coding, problem-solving, understanding web design, software engineering, user experience, databases, and web architecture. Luckily, most college Computer Science programs’ curriculums encompass all or most of these jobs, especially the most career-oriented ones. 

Bottom Line

We’re living in a world of cyber technological mirrors that are firmly incorporated into our daily lives. By 2031 the demand for Computer Science professionals is projected to grow by almost a third. Certain high-paid jobs, like software developers, are expected to pay three times as much in the next decade.

While the internet provides countless opportunities for online learners, more career-oriented students should opt for official well-accredited Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree programs. The choice of a program depends on several key factors, including the average tuition, acceptance rate, initial requirements, such as GPA scores, and more.

In the end, every student should weigh in all the factors and make a decision for themselves, but it is definitely worth a shot. 

Source: https://essaypro.com/blog/best-online-computer-science-degree-programs

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Annie Lambert

Annie Lambert

specializes in creating authoritative content on marketing, business, and finance, with a versatile ability to handle any essay type and dissertations. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a passion for social issues, her writing not only educates but also inspires action. On EssayPro blog, Annie delivers detailed guides and thought-provoking discussions on pressing economic and social topics. When not writing, she’s a guest speaker at various business seminars.

What was changed:
Sources:

Bls.gov. (2024, August 29). Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-and-information-research-scientists.htm 

USNews.com. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/computer-science-bachelors-degree

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