Best Online Software Engineering Degrees of 2025

Software engineering programs emphasize the technical skills you need to lead the end-to-end design and development of computer programs and applications — skills that employers increasingly value in today’s tech-driven world.

In this guide, we offer a comprehensive look at some of the best online software engineering degrees of 2025. We selected the programs using proprietary methodology, which takes into account factors such as affordability, student outcomes, school reputation, and diversity. This way, we can identify schools that deliver exceptional value to distance learners.

Read on to explore the top-ranked online software engineering programs and a guide on how to choose the best one for you.

According to our 2025 Online Education Trends Report:

Every student has different priorities and needs, but program costs and length, application requirements, and accreditation status consistently rank among the most important considerations.

Explore these and other key factors in detail below:

As shown in the table above, tuition and fees for online computer and information sciences degrees — which include software engineering programs — cost $11,480 on average. That’s less than traditional face-to-face programs, which cost $19,747 on average.

Financial aid can lower this price further. The average net price of an online software engineering degree — which is the amount you actually pay out of pocket after financial aid — is $7,384.

However, figures quoted here are only averages. Actual costs can differ depending on factors like per-credit price, residency status, and financial aid availability. For example, out-of-state students at the University of Arizona pay about triple the tuition of their in-state counterparts — $35,628 compared to $11,210.

To compare tuition costs between schools, compare the rates for in-state, out-of-state, and online students. Also, factor in additional fees such as technology or course surcharges, and use each school’s net price calculator to estimate your actual cost after financial aid.

If you’re a first-time, first-year software engineering student, it will likely take four academic years (approximately 120 credits) of full-time study to graduate. But a part-time schedule will extend this timeline, usually by about 1-3 years.

If that’s your case, you may have multiple options to finish faster. These include:

These options can dramatically reduce your time to graduation. For example, Bellarmine University has a completion timeline of just one year if you study for three consecutive semesters and transfer the maximum number of credits allowed from previous college coursework or competency assessments.

With this in mind, comparing program length and credit policies is important because it helps you determine how quickly — and affordably — you can complete your degree.

Application requirements for software engineering programs typically include:

However, these aren’t universal. For example, the University of Minnesota-Crookston doesn’t mention letters of recommendation among its application requirements. Still, even if a school doesn’t explicitly require letters of recommendation, it’s always a good idea to verify whether submitting them is optional or recommended to strengthen your application.

Before submitting an application, make sure you meet the school’s application requirements. Otherwise, you risk spending time and money on applications unlikely to succeed.

Attending a properly accredited institution is key to ensuring you’re receiving a quality education. It’s also a requirement if you want to qualify for federal financial aid and guarantee your academic credits are valid at other institutions.

When comparing programs, look an institutional endorsement from one of these main institutional accrediting bodies:

Some software engineering programs also have optional endorsements from specialized accreditors such as the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

You can verify a school’s accreditation status by checking the Council for Higher Education Accreditation website and the Department of Education database or directly on the school’s program webpage.

Most software engineering programs typically include these topics as part of their core requirements:

However, programs often differentiate themselves through their list of elective courses and concentration options. Review the entire curriculum and check for personalization options to ensure the coursework aligns with your personal and professional interests.

Some students might also prefer specific learning formats over others, such as project-based assignments to create a portfolio or internships that support networking opportunities. If you have any such preferences, keep them in mind and check if your preferred program offers them before applying.

Schools often provide students with support services such as:

Some software engineering programs also maintain industry and employer partnerships, which can benefit students by offering field placements, internships, and recruitment opportunities after graduation.

Comparing these support initiatives is important, as schools that provide strong support programs to their students tend to have higher retention and completion rates. They also usually have lower average completion times — the time students need to graduate.

A software engineering degree typically leads to careers in software design and development, quality assurance, and testing. However, the skills you learn through your studies also can transfer well to web development, digital design, information security, and many other adjacent fields.

The career outlook for roles in these areas remains very strong. Overall, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects significant job growth across tech occupations from 2024-2034 — about 317,700 openings per year, on average.

The following table highlights some of the most common careers you can pursue with a software engineering degree. Pay strongly depends on factors like your location, experience level, and educational or professional credentials.