Students who want to enjoy a great career and good salary may want to consider working in the computer and information technology occupations. These jobs will experience a 13% rise in jobs by 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is faster than average when compared to other occupations, and will result in approximately 557,000 new jobs.
Sponsored School(s)
To work in this field, you will need to earn a computer science degree. As technology has been improving over the last few decades, there has been an explosion of online degree offerings in computer science. Now you can often earn your entire bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science and never leave the comfort of your own home.
We have done the research for you and found these online computer science programs to be worthy of your consideration:
#1 Southern New Hampshire University
- School Type: Non-Profit
- Program/Degree: Bachelors of Science in Computer Science
- Cost/Tuition: Inquire
- Delivery: Online
Build your career in software development with a Online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Southern New Hampshire University. Through both applied and experiential lessons, you will have the chance to:
- Learn languages critical to programming in technology work today such as Python, Java and C++
- Understand common operating environments such as Windows, Linux and mobile
- Learn and master major software development and testing platforms, such as Netbeans, Eclipse, OpenGL and Maven.
- Take classes at your own speed with one of the most affordable tuition rates in the country
Students in this three to four year online degree program can choose concentrations in software engineering or information security.
Some of the learning outcomes in this bachelors program are:
- Employ technology strategies to work within collaborative environments that allow diverse audiences to support good decision making in the computer science field
- Develop and deliver high quality communications that are sound technically and have been adapted to specific audiences in technology
- Design and evaluate appropriate computing solutions that solve a problem with algorithmic principles and accepted computer science practices
- Develop an information security mindset that anticipates problems in advance in software architecture and learn how to mitigate design flaws
#2 Georgia Tech University
- School Type: Non-Profit
- Program/Degree: Master of Science in Computer Science
- Cost/Tuition: Inquire
- Delivery: Online
If you are ready to earn your Online Master’s in Computer Science but are not ready to stop going to work, Georgia Tech has the answer for you. This top university has joined forces with Udacity and AT&T to offer the first online Master of Science in Computer Science from an accredited college that you can earn through a ‘massive online course’ (MOOC) format. A big benefit – the program costs a fraction of most non-profit master’s degrees.
Since the program was formed in 2013, the online master’s degree program has experienced rapid growth. The program now has more than 6300 students as of spring 2018, with students in more than 100 countries. There are a total of 28 courses in the computer science program and more are coming out soon.
Current required courses include:
- Advanced Operating Systems
- Introduction to Information Security
- Network Security
- Computer Networks
- Embedded Systems Optimization
- Software Analysis and Test
- Introduction to Health Informatics
- High Performance Computer Architecture
#3 Maryville University
- School Type: Non-Profit
- Program/Degree: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
- Cost/Tuition: Inquire
- Delivery: Online
Maryville University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity with no campus visits required. Students can graduate in as few as 2.5 years, and can choose from these tracks:
- Offensive cyber security
- Cyber security
- Defensive cyber security
This bachelor’s program is designed to give you every tool you need to be ready for a career in computer science and cyber security, no matter what your previous experience is. The program is appropriate for people new to the field, technical junkies and people who are changing their career. The specific focus on cyber security instead of computer science generally in this program can result in a higher salary. Evidence suggests that cyber security workers earn higher salaries today than computer science generalists.
#4 Florida State University
- School Type: Non-Profit
- Program/Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Cost/Tuition: Inquire
- Delivery: Online
Florida State University offers a Online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science that is the same degree that on campus students earn. The curriculum has been designed especially for students who want to have a fulfilling career as a computer science professional.
The major provides students with an excellent background for a career in computing with a systems view of computing, stressing the interdependence of design, object orientation and distributed systems and networks, from basic software through systems design. The major also develops competencies in computer organization, database structure, programming and operating systems. Every student will become proficient in C, C++, and Assembly Language. Students are also exposed to Java, C#, Ada, Lisp, Perl and HTML.
Core courses include:
- Computer Organization
- Computer Organization II
- Software Engineering
- Software Engineering II
- Ethical Issues in Computer Science
- Programming
- Object Oriented Programming
#5 University of Maryland University College
- School Type: Non-Profit
- Program/Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Cost/Tuition: Inquire
- Delivery: Online
The Online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Maryland University College will teach you to plan, design and optimize computer software and hardware systems for commercial and government environments. Students learn programming, algorithm optimization and enhancement, as well as the theory, science and math behind modern information technology and computing.
Students learn Java, C++, OpenGL, Octave and MaTLAB. Courses include data analysis and structure, computer systems and architecture, image and signal processing and more.
Required courses include:
- Introductory and Intermediate Programming
- Computer Systems and Architecture
- Building Secure Web Applications
- Data Structures and Analysis
- Advanced Programming Languages
- Compiler Theory and Design
- Operating Systems
- Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms
#6 Maryville University
- School Type: Non-Profit
- Program/Degree: Master of Science in Software Development
- Cost/Tuition: Inquire
- Delivery: Online
Maryville University offers a fully online Master of Science in Software Development that will help you to take full advantage of the many work opportunities in the growing field of computer science. Major features of this accredited computer science program are:
- No campus visits required
- No GMAT or GRE tests
- Graduate in as few as 12 months
- Three start times per year
- Four coding classes, five management classes and one capstone
- No previous work experience required
Students in this master’s program will receive broad-based education in software design and development, as well as deeper, vertical studies in more complex and specialized computer applications. You will develop an advanced understanding of the creation, architecture and presentation of software and applications. You also will be able to develop your skills in the real world in a capstone class where you design, plan and develop a web application all your own.
#7 Old Dominion University
- School Type: Non-Profit
- Program/Degree: Master of Science in Computer Science
- Cost/Tuition: Inquire
- Delivery: Online
Old Dominion University offers a two year, online Master of Science in Computer Science that is intended for the professional with extensive computer science experience. This accredited program supports in depth study at the master’s level in bioinformatics, data mining, digital libraries, high performance computing, networking, cyber security, software engineering, and computational foundations.
This program has been ranked as the #33 best online graduate information technology program in 2018 by US News and World Report, and #6 top online college for master’s in computer science by GuidestoOnlineschools.com.
#8 Western Governor University – Missouri
- School Type: Non-Profit
- Program/Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Cost/Tuition: Inquire
- Delivery: Online
Western Governor University – Missouri offers an online Bachelor of Science in Computers Science that will prepare you for an exciting and well-paid career in computer science. After you have earned this three or four year degree, you will be ready to apply your computer science skills to design, develop and optimize computer science systems that meet current and future industry needs. Students gain knowledge in data structures, logic, architecture and systems, artificial intelligence and computer theory.
This degree program is considered appropriate for working professionals who want to move into computer science, and also people who are currently working in the field and want to move into higher paying positions.
Some of the subjects covered in this bachelor’s program include:
- IT fundamentals
- Web development
- Network and security
- Business of IT
- Scripting and programming
- Computer architecture
- Software
- Data management
- Operating systems
- Technical communication
- Data manipulation
#9 Drexel University
- School Type: Non-Profit
- Program/Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computing and Security Technology
- Cost/Tuition: Inquire
- Delivery: Online
Drexel University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Computing and Security Technology that focuses on educating computer and business professionals for vital roles in computer systems administration and cyber security. This program stresses hands on education and offers fundamental concepts that are built on your current work experience. The curriculum has been designed for professionals who are currently working in IT and want either a career change or the possibility of moving into a higher managerial position.
This bachelor’s program is fully online and includes these courses:
- Network Administration
- Server I
- Open Server I
- Open Server II
- Server II
- Network Administration II
- Information Technology Security I and II
- Database Management Systems
- Introduction to Data Science
#10 University of Louisville
- School Type: Non-Profit
- Program/Degree: Master of Science in Computer Science
- Cost/Tuition: Inquire
- Delivery: Online
Students can advance their career and enhance their earning potential with this 100% online Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Louisville. This program is two years in length and features an innovative curriculum and award winning faculty that will give you a computer science education that you cannot find anywhere else. This master’s program is regarded as one of the best in the computer science field and also in the state of Kentucky.
This master of science in computer science is available to those who have strong technical background but do not have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or computer science. Major focus areas of the degree are foundations, software, and analytics. Courses include:
- Computer Networks
- Introduction to Databases
- Software Engineering
- Distributed Systems
- Internet Applications
- Modeling and Analysis
- Automata Theory
- Algorithms
- Experimental Design
- Evaluation of Computer Systems
#11 North Carolina State University
- School Type: Non-Profit
- Program/Degree: Master of Science in Computer Science
- Cost/Tuition: Inquire
- Delivery: Online
The Master of Science in Computer Science from North Carolina State University is a highly regarded terminal degree program that has been designed for working computer science professionals. The degree is entirely online, with students usually taking one or two courses per semester. It is made for students with an undergraduate degree in engineering or computer science.
Required courses include:
- Design and Analysis of Algorithms
- Computational Applied Logic
- Compiler Construction
- Graph Theory
- Introduction to Computer Performance Modeling
- Numerical Analysis I
- Automata, Languages and Computability Theory
References
- Computer and Information Technology Occupations. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm
