Best Online Computer Science Degree Programs of 2025

Employers need computer scientists, and an online degree in computer science can prepare you to step into high-paying jobs without leaving the workforce.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for computer and information research scientists to grow by 26% over the next decade. That’s a much faster pace than average and is only one of the many high-demand roles available with a computer science degree.

Online programs can be highly affordable and often come in an asynchronous format to help you balance school with work and family obligations. We ranked the best computer science programs using affordability and student outcomes.

Source: BLS, BestColleges

Affordability and student outcomes are key when looking for a computer science program.

Victoria Southall, a CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner, suggests that you “check the curriculum to see that it covers what interests you and if the school has good connections or internship opportunities. It’s also important to consider the cost, flexibility, and whether the school has a strong alumni network.”

Overall, look for an accredited program that fits your personal and professional goals.

Online degree programs tend to be more affordable than traditional, in-person programs. Public institutions are typically more affordable than private colleges, although private schools also often offer generous financial aid. The average out-of-state tuition and fees for an online computer science program in 2019 was $9,202, but that figure was reduced to $6,182 after financial aid.

You can cut down on tuition and fees by filling out the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) so that you can receive federal grants. There are also a number of computer science scholarships available as employers scramble to fill workforce needs.

Transferring credits from previous college experience can also help you reduce costs.

A computer science bachelor’s degree typically takes four years to complete, but that isn’t always the case. Some programs are offered in an accelerated format to help you cut down on the time it takes to earn your degree.

A self-paced program like Western Governor’s University, for instance, allows you to take on higher course loads and finish a degree in as little as two years.

Transferring credits from previous college experience can also help you finish your degree faster, although every institution has its own policies as to which credits count toward a degree.

Programmatic accreditation is a good way to tell whether a computer science program has qualified faculty and teaches relevant, in-demand skills. ABET, or the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, is a reputable accreditor of computer science and other tech programs.

ABET weighs factors like student performance and outcomes alongside an institution’s teaching and expertise accrediting programs.

A computer science degree opens up jobs across the tech sector. Many programs offer specializations in rapidly growing areas like cybersecurity, information technology, and data science, allowing you to hone your skills in a niche area.

The BLS projects that computer and information research scientists, software developers, and database architects are projected to see rapid growth over the next decade, but that’s just a small sample of the possible roles you can take on with a computer science degree.

Source: BLS

An online computer science degree can boost your earnings without cutting into your personal and professional schedule.

Software engineers, information security analysts, and data scientists all made median annual salaries over $100,000 as of May 2024, according to the BLS, and those jobs are projected to grow over the next decade.

Computer science programs are also incorporating in-demand skills like AI into their curriculums, preparing you with key tech knowledge as you head into the workforce.

A bachelor’s degree is all you need to get started in the tech workforce, but a master’s degree in computer science can eventually build on your work experience to open up even more advanced roles in the field.

Master’s degrees are useful if you want to pursue a more specialized field or pursue a concentration in a subject like AI, information technology, or cybersecurity.

A master of business administration (MBA) degree is also an option if you want to leverage your technical skills in leadership roles. Many MBAs include specializations in tech in addition to their broad instruction in business fundamentals.