Best Online Computer Science Degrees

Western Governors University offers one of the most affordable online computer science degrees. This is a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science that can be taken entirely online. In fact, WGU is an exclusively online university. This degree program would have you taking a total of 34 courses in an asynchronous format. You will be required to take lower-division courses, typically referred to as general education courses if you have not already; however, transfer credits are accepted for students with prior college experience. Those will need to be completed before you move on to your Key Subject Areas.

Students in this online computer science degree program will cover a range of topics that will get them familiar with the fundamentals of computer science. Some examples include Web Development Foundations, Foundations of Scripting and Programming, Business of IT – Project Management, and more. Instead of earning your degree based on the credits you earn, you will need to demonstrate competency in each area in order to graduate. Because of this approach, though, WGU does allow students to demonstrate competency in non-traditional ways like CLEP testing or through a PLA Portfolio. As you earn this bachelor’s in computer science, you will also be meeting all of the requirements for the following four certifications: CIW Site Development Associate, CompTIAProject+, ITIL®1 Foundation Certification, and Oracle Database SQL.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at Western Governors University click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

Eastern New Mexico University is another school with an impressive ROI thanks to the low cost of its online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Online classes at ENMU are completely asynchronous, which will allow you to sign on to the course management system any time of day and watch recorded lectures. You will be required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree. All of the classes that you need can be taken entirely online through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

There are 33 hours worth of computer science major courses in the curriculum of this program. You will cover topics that will introduce you to computer science and prepare you to go on to the next degree program or off into the professional world, whichever path works for you. You will study data structures, computer programming, design and analysis of algorithms, operating systems, and more. Some required courses are outside of your major, and they include Logic Circuits, Report Writing, and Calculus I and II.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at Eastern New Mexico University click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

Lamar University has an online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. The university describes the curriculum of this program as broad-based, and it is broken down into categories. Those categories are computer science, mathematics, laboratory science, free electives, electrical engineering, and general education. Something that is nice about this program is that 48 credits out of the 120 you will need to graduate come from computer science courses. This is higher than average for bachelor’s degree programs.

Lamar University is extremely flexible, so it has options that can meet the needs of varying schedules. You can choose to study part-time or full-time, there are multiple start dates throughout the year, and you can even choose your session length. Classes are offered in accelerated eight-week sessions for students that want to study at a more aggressive pace, or in a traditional 15-week semester format. This online computer science degree is perfect for the working professional because of the flexibility it provides. Regardless of the session length that suits you, all of your classes are asynchronous.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at Lamar University click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is the first school featured in our ranking of the best online computer science degree programs that offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems as opposed to being a more straightforward computer science degree. As with a traditional bachelor’s degree, you will need to complete a minimum of 120 credits in order to complete this program. The curriculum is broken up into the University Core, Business Core, CIS Curriculum, and Additional Support Courses. Concentrations are offered in Application Development, Cybersecurity, Networking & Systems Management, and Web Development.

Online classes at this university are condensed down to just eight-weeks in length. This allows you to focus on one subject at a time and can even help you graduate faster. The majority of the classes you’ll take are asynchronous, but there may be some synchronous components. Regardless of the concentration you select, all students take a handful of required CIS courses, and those are Introduction to Computer Information Systems, Introduction to Software Development, Database Systems, Web Page Development, and Advanced Systems Development.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at Northwestern State University of Louisiana click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

The University of Illinois at Springfield is home to an online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree program that offers two start dates in the fall and spring semesters. There are 120 credits required for graduation, and there are currently two areas of emphasis that students can choose from. These are Software Engineering and Systems Security & Information Assurance. There is no general track offered, so you will have to choose one of those areas if you select this university. This is a degree completion program that does require you to have some college experience prior to enrollment.

Students must have at least two semesters of Java Programming Experience as well as meeting several math prerequisites. While pursuing this degree program, you will take courses like Computer Organization, Data Structures and Algorithms, Introduction to Operating Systems, and more. There will also be an entrance assessment, an exit assessment, and you will complete a Software Engineering Capstone. Something that sets this degree program apart is that 12 of the credits you need to graduate can come from electives that you choose. This is unique among bachelor’s programs, and it could help you to explore a particular area of computer science that appeals to you.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at the University of Illinois at Springfield click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

Florida International University is the only university featured in our computer science degree ranking that features a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science. This degree is not going to contain as much math and science as a Bachelor of Science would. Instead, it is designed to be coupled with another discipline like marketing, business, or something else. If you want a career in computer science that is peripheral to another industry, this is a great option. Not only is it unique, but also the tuition is exceptionally competitive. Out of state online students can expect to pay less than $350 per credit.

This is a fully-online degree program that requires 120 credits to graduate. There are start dates in the fall, spring, and summer so you can start taking classes when you want to. There are 14 required courses that make up the core curriculum for the major and get you familiarized with computer science. You will also need to select three computer science electives to add depth to a certain skill set. Finally, you will take as many as nine interdisciplinary courses. They must be applicable to a minor or certificate program. The online classes at FIU are asynchronous with some live components.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at Florida International University click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

Fort Hays State University has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science that can be taken as a standalone program or as a degree completion program based on your academic background. You will be required to earn 120 credits that are distributed across general education cognates, marketing cognates, and major courses. On top of the typical computer science foundation courses that cover programming, operating systems, and software engineering, you will be able to take more specialized courses. Back-End Web Development, Assembly Language, and Computer Graphics are all included in this computer science program.

Fort Hays State University offers a very broad and diverse curriculum that allows you to create a solid foundation in computer science. Transfer credits and credits earned from CLEP exams are accepted at FHSU on a case by case basis, so you may be able to accelerate your completion time if you’re eligible for either of those opportunities. Online students have the opportunity to earn a flexible degree at a pace that works for them at this university, and they can even receive traditional financial aid.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at Fort Hays State University click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

Bellevue University’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems is a little different; it consists of a total of 127 required credits for completion. Students have the option to take this degree program entirely online or in a blended format if they live near campus or are interested in commuting. Classes blend practical skills with foundational competencies and even approach some courses through a business lens to make this a very well-rounded program. Students have the opportunity to build on what the core requirements cover by adding an area of emphasis. Networking, Cybersecurity, Business Intelligence, and Applications Development are the current options for concentration areas.

Almost half of the credits that you will need to earn this bachelor’s in computer science are electives, which gives you the opportunity to individualize your degree to suit your goals. Online class sizes at Bellevue are kept small that you have more of a relationship with the faculty, who all bring real-world expertise to the table to provide you with a rigorous and career-relevant education. Online students will also have access to interactive resources like tutoring, writing assistance, and library services. All of the classes you need for this degree can be taken online and asynchronously.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at Bellevue University click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

Baker College has been featured among the best online computer science degree programs for the fully-online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. It is a 121-credit-hour program that you can take from the comfort of your own home while still getting an education that was designed by expert faculty in conjunction with industry-leading professionals. Concentrations are offered in Computer Programming, Database Technologies, and Mobile Applications Software Engineering. Online classes at Baker are not self-paced, but they are still asynchronous. This provides a nice blend of structure and convenience.

The majority of the classes you’ll take as part of this online degree in computer science are going to be the Major Courses. That is something that sets Baker apart among the other featured institutions; 76 credits worth of your degree program come straight from computer science core courses. Multiple programming languages, operating systems, and concepts are covered in the extensive list of mandatory classes. On top of that, you will take an additional 18 credits in the concentration that you choose. So, while you do still have to meet your general education requirements, you will have plenty of opportunities to explore courses that are in line with your future.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at Baker College click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

Arizona State University is well-known for offering a variety of extremely convenient online degree programs because classes at ASU are only seven and a half weeks long. We’ve featured the university for its online Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. This is a 120-credit program that will have you take a total of 41 classes. There are multiple start dates throughout the year, and there are no required visits to campus when pursuing this computer science degree.

The curriculum features a blend of computer science, business, and engineering courses. You will still have to take your general education classes unless you enter the program as part of a degree completion pathway. Macroeconomics, accounting, small group communication, and business writing are some of the topics that you will cover outside of computer science. You will also learn about systems development, analytics, cyber risks, and more. This program seamlessly blends computer science and business to provide you with everything you need to start your career. This program culminates in a capstone course and features career preparation courses throughout.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at Arizona State University click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

Austin Peay State University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. There are multiple concentrations offered as part of the program as well. Currently, the ones that are offered entirely online are the Database Administration Concentration, Information Assurance and Security Concentration, Internet and Web Technology Concentration, and the Systems Development Concentration. You could also choose to further customize your program of study with a minor; Information Assurance and Security, Mobile Software Technology, and Web Technology are all entirely online.

The amount of options that students have when it comes to choosing a program is the main thing that sets this university apart among this ranking of the best online degrees in computer science. Austin Peay State University also has a very generous transfer policy; it is especially good about working with active-duty servicemembers and veterans to make sure that these students get credit for experience. Any proctored exams you may need can be taken somewhere local to you as long as you get it approved prior to the day of the exam. This is a 120-credit bachelor’s program. Full-time and part-time scheduling options are available, and this university even allows you to take classes all year long so that you can graduate sooner.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at Austin Peay State University click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

Old Dominion University has a long-standing reputation when it comes to offering online degrees. The one that has been featured in this ranking is the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. This is a full degree program that is appropriate for first-time students, but you can also apply if you’re seeking a bachelor’s degree completion program. ODU’s program requires 120 credits in total for completion, but you could transfer in as many as 90 of those credits. On top of that, tuition is very affordable. Students that do not live in the state of Virginia, where the university is located, will still only pay around $400 per credit. ODU’s online classes are a blend of synchronous and asynchronous components.

The curriculum for this bachelor’s in computer science includes a blend of major courses, math courses, general education, as well as a minor. Students are exposed to broad theoretical concepts in computer science, which is supplemented with strong practical elements. Professional Workforce Development courses, internships, and co-ops could all be something you may participate in while you’re learning. While there are a lot of prescribed courses, there are plenty of elective options for you to round out what you’re learning with topics that interest you.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at Old Dominion University click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

The University of Florida provides its online degrees through UF Online. One of those degrees is a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. One thing to note about this computer science degree is that it is not for first-time college students. In order to be eligible to enroll, you must have a minimum of 12 college credits; you may be able to transfer in 60 or more credits if you have more college experience. This degree program has a strong liberal arts general education requirement, and it pairs that with a foundational education in computer science. Students will need 120 credits to graduate.

The curriculum includes a significant list of required courses. The foundation coursework covers technical writing, physics, calculus, and statistics. The required core coursework consists of ten courses as well as a senior capstone. The core courses you could end up taking include Introduction to Computer Organization, Applications of Discrete Structures, Digital Logic and Computer Systems, and more. There are also required major electives. Students of this online bachelor’s in computer science will be responsible for completing an internship, as well as conducting Directed Independent Research related to their studies.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at the University of Florida click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

The University of Maryland Global Campus is what used to be known as the University of Maryland University Campus or UMUC. We’ve featured this school for its online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. This is a degree program that you can complete without ever having to attend a physical campus; however, there is a hybrid option for those of you who live near campus or would like to experience some traditional courses as well. The curriculum was designed to be very versatile, serving to prepare students to go on to pursue a master’s degree. Complex algorithms, graphics and visualization, programming languages, and software development are all included.

Like most online bachelor’s in computer science, this degree program requires you to have 120 credits in order to graduate. First-time students can enroll in this program. However, if you’ve already gotten some college education, UMGC could accept up to 90 transfer credits. In your classes, you will encounter a blend of hands-on projects like what you would face on the job and theoretical background information to help you deeply understanding computer science. Due to the project-based approach in some classes, this is a great bachelor’s degree in computer science to enter the workforce with as well.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at the University of Maryland Global Campus click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.

Mercy College finishes off our ranking of the best online computer science degrees with its Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. This is a 120-credit program that can be earned online in its entirety. It is suitable for first-time college students, but Mercy also has a generous transfer policy. Students coming from a two-year institution can bring in as many as 75 credits; those coming from four-year institutions can bring as many as 90. This is a full-time program that doesn’t offer options for acceleration, so you can expect to graduate from this program in about four years if you enroll as a freshman.

Disregarding the general education requirements, there are two main components of the curriculum. There are foundation courses that introduce you to computing, discrete structures, and calculus, and there are the major courses. The required courses for the program explore software engineering, probability, operating systems, computer networks, and artificial intelligence, among other things. You will then have to select three electives that are synergistic with computer science studies. For those electives, there is a wide selection of classes, but there is also a work-study option and an independent study option. Mercy’s online classes are all asynchronous.

To learn more about the online computer science degree program offered at Mercy College click here. You can also visit the school’s homepage for more information.