Best Online Computer Programming Degrees 2024
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Computer programmers write, test, and modify code and scripts for software and applications. They work in teams and have strong time management, problem-solving, and communication skills.
With a computer programming degree, you can become a software developer or work on AI. While you could launch a computer programming career with an associate degree or a bootcamp program, a bachelor's degree gives you distinctive advantages. Most major companies seek programmers with at least a bachelor's degree.
Learn about the top online computer programming degrees, potential jobs, and salaries in the industry.
Featured Online Bachelor's in Computer Programming Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2024 Best Online Computer Programming Degrees
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $188
Out-of-State | $262-$560
Credits to Graduate: 120
The BS in computer science from Fort Hays State University is available in both online and in-person formats. With this degree, you can go on to become a software engineer, system center operations manager, or information systems security engineer.
The program requires a number of networking and mathematics courses, as well as a final seminar. Other notable courses include object-oriented programming and assembly language. Program graduates have gone on to work at government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and research organizations.
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $750
Out-of-State | $750
Credits to Graduate: 124
The online BS in applied computer science (ACS) from Dominican University of California is a three-year program, during which you can choose a concentration in front-end or back-end web development. ACS graduates have landed jobs at top companies like Expedia and Netflix. Shopify is an industry partner of the program and provides real-world learning opportunities in its Shopify/Dominican DevDegree program.
You'll finish this program with an understanding of software engineering, agile product development, and teamwork.
Herzing University
Akron, OH - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $515
Out-of-State | $515
Credits to Graduate: 120
You can complete your fully online BS in computer programming in less than three years at Herzing University. The program leverages virtual labs to simulate real-world environments. Up to 90 transfer credits can be counted toward your degree. The program teaches you popular languages including Python, C#, SQL, and JavaScript, to name a few. You can also earn dual credits toward an MBA program.
Herzing University provides alumni with lifelong career coaching. Military veterans, active duty service members, and spouses may qualify for a reduced tuition rate.
Limestone University
Gaffney, SC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $479
Out-of-State | $479
Credits to Graduate: 120
Limestone University's computer science programming bachelor's program is a fully online program with asynchronous courses. Course offerings include game production, operating systems and networking fundamentals, and C# programming. A capstone course is also required.
Limestone's online programs have rolling admissions, six start times a year, and 7.5-week-long courses. This schedule allows you to earn up to 36 credits in one academic year, meaning it's possible for you to graduate in under four years.
Baker College
Owosso, MI - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $435
Out-of-State | $435
Credits to Graduate: 120
The bachelor of computer science with a concentration in computer programming at Baker College is a four-year program that requires 150 hours of work experience. Classes are taught fully online in an asynchronous format. You'll complete a senior project in which you solve a problem, create a project, and develop an operation manual. Other courses you'll take are advanced computer architecture, artificial intelligence, and emerging programming languages.
The College of IT and Engineering offers extended reality (XR) learning courses to give you an immersive, hands-on experience.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
Computer Programming vs. Computer Science: What's the Difference?
Computer programming and computer science sound similar but are distinct fields of study. Computer programming centers on coding and software development, while computer science looks at theoretical foundations, research, and innovation in computing.
There's an overlap in careers with these two degrees, but generally, computer scientists focus on developing new systems, computing techniques, and algorithms, while computer programmers work directly with coding applications.
Which degree works best depends on your career goals and whether you prefer coding or other aspects of computer science. The programs of study are similar, although computer scientists may have more research or hardware applications while programmers focus on software and coding applications.
What Jobs Can I Get With an Online Computer Programming Degree?
Jobs you can pursue with an online computer programming degree include web developer, game designer, back-end and front-end developer, information security analyst, or software developer. The median salary for careers with a computer programming degree is higher than the national average.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for these professionals ranges from $80,730 for web developers to $124,200 for software developers and analysts. Computer programmers made a median salary of $97,800.
The BLS projects computer programming jobs to decrease by 11%, partly due to other related positions, such as software developers and analysts, commonly performing programming tasks.
However, other computer science careers are projected to grow faster than the national average. For example, the BLS projects that Information security analyst jobs will grow by 32%, while software or application developer jobs will grow by 25%.
| Jobs | Median Pay (2022) | Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Web Developers, Game Designers, Back-End and Front-End Developers | $80,730 | 16% |
| Computer Programmer | $97,800 | -11% |
| Database Administrator | $99,890 | 7% |
| Computer System Analysts | $102,240 | 10% |
| Information Security Analysts | $112,000 | 32% |
| Software or Application Developer, Systems Analyst, Software Engineer | $127,260 | 25% |
Will AI Replace Computer Programming Jobs?
While ChatGPT can automate certain programming tasks and assist in various stages of the coding process, it is a resource for programmers, not a replacement for human problem-solving skills. It cannot completely replace computer programmers and wasn't designed to do so.
In addition, ChatGPT has some major limitations, from out-of-date data to a lack of internet access. The free version of ChatGPT uses data from September 2021. The software may also provide biased answers or often cannot understand the context of a question or command.
ChatGPT is one of numerous AI resources that can help computer programmers with tedious tasks like debugging, but none are expected to replace the need for programmers. AI can help programmers save time, eliminate biases, automate repetitive tasks, increase productivity, and learn new concepts.
While AI could replace some coding jobs in the future, there's an enduring need for programmers who can bring creativity, intuition, context awareness, collaborative designs, and a human-centric interface into computer programming.
Is the Computer Programming Job Market Becoming Oversaturated?
While certain major employers of computer programmers, such as Meta and Google, have made headlines for recent layoffs, careers related to computer programming are projected to grow. The BLS projects about 6,700 job openings for programmers annually for the next decade.
However, be prepared to pivot your career to related computer programming roles, such as a software developer, systems analyst, or software engineer. These careers are projected to grow substantially — up to 4 times the national average — from 2022 to 2032.
Frequently Asked Questions About Being a Computer Programmer
How much do computer programmers make without a degree?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer programmers made a median salary of $97,800 in 2022. While the BLS notes that you need a minimum of a bachelor's degree, many computer programmers are self-taught or attend boot camps to launch their careers.
To be successful as a computer programmer, you can also focus on continuing to build your skill set to specialize in areas of growth through independent work, online courses, and programming podcasts.
Can computer programmers work from home?
Yes, many computer programmers work from home. It offers greater job flexibility because you can complete the work from anywhere. Depending on your employer, you can work remotely or set your hours as a computer programmer or developer.
Do I need a degree to be a programmer?
You don't need a degree to become a programmer if you choose to work for yourself or in a smaller company, but most large companies will require you to have a degree. Earning a bachelor's degree can also help you land a higher-paying job or give you better opportunities for advancement.
Consider a coding bootcamp if you want to launch your career without a degree. These short programs can also be a good solution if you already have a bachelor's degree in another field and want to shift to a programming career.
Is it worth learning computer programming after AI?
Yes, it is still worth learning computer programming after AI. While AI is changing the computing landscape and automating some programming tasks, there's no indication that AI can replace human programmers. AI cannot currently replicate the human ability to understand, innovate, and adapt in ways necessary in software engineering and programming.
Should I quit programming because of AI?
No, you should not quit programming because of AI unless you want to pursue another career for other reasons. While AI is a powerful tool, it cannot replace human programmers.
Programming is a career that requires constant learning, adaptation, creativity, innovation, and teamwork. As a programmer, you'll need to keep learning to stay ahead of the curve.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed April 8, 2024.
