If you’re a computer nerd, don’t fret when friends tease you about your “geeky” prowess. Instead, channel your abilities into earning a degree in computer science. What you love to do can easily become what you do for a living. And you will be contemplating this field at a propitious time in the employment zeitgeist. The job market in the field of computer science is expected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, a rate which is faster than the average for all occupations. The outlook for software developers is even better: a projected growth of 24 percent in the same period. About half a million jobs are expected to be added overall, especially in the areas of computer security and cloud computing.
Computer science graduates are commanding handsome salaries, as well. In May 2018, the median annual wage for CS and IT occupations was $86,320, considerably more than the median annual wage for all occupations of $38,640. Here are some sample jobs and salaries with bachelor’s degrees (BLS.com):
Computer programmer – $84,280
Database administrator – $90,070
Information security analyst – $98,350
Computer network architect – $109,020
The bad news, though, may be that even if you’re convinced earning a degree in computer science is the right thing to do, now might be a difficult time for you to chuck everything and head off to the classroom. Whether you’re about to graduate from high school or have been out in the workforce for a while, spending your days in a traditional brick-and-mortar college or university may not be doable, for all kinds of reasons. The answer to this problem is the online degree. At your own pace and in your own surroundings, you can attend classes taught by the same instructors who are teaching in face-to-face classrooms. The diploma you will earn is the same one the institutions give to the students who sit in their buildings. Plus, you will save money and avoid the hassle and time spent traveling to and fro.
The schools reviewed below have been evaluated and ranked according to the charts listed. Where a tie occurs, points are awarded on the basis of tuition cost.
Student to Faculty Ratio:
- 15 and under – 5 points
- 20 and under – 4 points
- 25 and under – 3 points
- 30 and under – 2 points
- 35 and under – 1 point
Cost per Credit Hour:
- $200 and under – 5 points
- $400 and under – 4 points
- $600 and under – 3 points
- $800 and under – 2 points
- $1,000 and under – 1 point
Regional Accreditation: 5 points
#10 – Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah
Online BS in Computer Science
Faculty to Student Ratio:41 to 1
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points:8
Website
The online bachelor of science in computer science degree offered by Western Governors University is a 34 course program with starting dates on the first of each month. The admission process calls for high school transcripts that show evidence of your successfully completing a calculus course–or a pre-calculus or higher-than-calculus mathematics course. Coursework in the curriculum includes Computer Architecture, Data Structures, and Algorithms I and II, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, and Computer Science Capstone. The cost for Western Governors University’s online BS in computer science is $3525 for each six-month term. The application process calls for transcripts and a $65 fee.
#9 – Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire
Online BS in Computer Science
Faculty to Student Ratio:30 to 1
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 11
Website
Southern New Hampshire University has an online, 42 credit major bachelor of science in computer science degree with two concentrations: Information Security and Software Engineering. Three required courses are Introduction to Quantitative Analysis, Precalculus, and Applied Strategies for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Courses in the major include Software Development Lifecycle, Object-oriented Analysis and Design, and Computer Science Capstone. The 121 credit hour BS in computer science online degree costs a modest $321 per credit hour. Southern New Hampshire University admissions asks for a transcript release form from schools you have attended.
#8 – The University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
BS with a major in Computer Science Online
Faculty to Student Ratio:35 to 1
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 11
Website
The University of Florida offers an online Bachelor of Science with a major in computer science degree that consists of 29 credit hours in the major foundation and 35 credits in the core coursework. Courses in the major foundation classes include Analytic Geometry and Calculus I, II, and III. Three of the required core classes are Data Structures and Algorithm, Applications of Discrete Systems, and Digital Logic and Computer Systems. The University of Florida charges $129.18 for each credit hour for its BS with a major in computer science online. Admission requires high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and a $37 application fee.
#7 – Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon
Online BS in Computer Science (Post-Baccalaureate)
Faculty to Student Ratio:18 to 1
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points:12
Website
Oregon State University’s BS in Computer Science (Post-Baccalaureate) degree is geared toward students with a bachelor’s degree in any field and strength in mathematics. There are four starts per school year, and all courses are taught every term. The 60 credit program charges $499 for each credit hour. Admissions requires a 3.0 GPA, SAT/ACT scores, completion of 15 required subject areas in the undergraduate degree, and an insight resume. Coursework in Oregon State University’s BS in Computer Science (Post-Baccalaureate) includes Introduction to Usability Engineering, Defense against the Dark Arts, and Introduction to Security.
#6 – Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois
BA (or BS) in Computer Science Online (Accelerated)
Faculty to Student Ratio:13 to 1
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 13
Website
Lewis University offers a 128 credit hour bachelor of arts (or bachelor of science) in computer science degree that is a 100% online program. A chief difference between the BA and the BS is that the BA requires 46 hours in the major, and the BS requires 53. The online BS in computer science degree has eight concentrations including Game Simulation Programming, Cyber Security Operations, Software Engineering, Computational Theory, and Digital Forensics. Lewis University charges $600 per credit hour for its accelerated programs. To apply, submit high school transcripts and a $40 application fee.
#5 – Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia
Online BS in Computer Science
Faculty to Student Ratio: 19 to 1
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 13
Website
Old Dominion University has an online bachelor of science in computer science degree that is a thirty credit hour major. Required departmental courses include Principles of Programming Languages, Computers in Society, Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science, and Computational Methods and Software. As a student in Old Dominion University’s online BS in computer science program, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor who will, as the school’s website states, “be with you until your degree is in your hand.” To apply, submit transcripts. The cost per credit hour is $356.
#4 – Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
BS in Computer Science Online
Faculty to Student Ratio:25 to 1
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points:13
Website
The website of Florida State University’s online bachelor of science in computer science major emphasizes their intention that the CS program will give a “systems view of computers, emphasizing the interdependence of design, object orientation, and distributed systems and networks.” Florida State University offers a 120 credit hour degree, and their BS in computer science online is a 60 credit hour major. The school charges $180.49 for each credit hour. Aspects studied in the curriculum include information security, data communication/networks, computer and network systems administration, theoretical computer science, and software engineering. To apply, send transcripts and a $30 application fee.
#3 – University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
BS in Applied Computer Science Online
Faculty to Student Ratio:18 to 1
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points:14
A slogan on the University of Colorado Boulder’s website invites the interested student to “Be Boulder.” The university’s bachelor of science in applied computer science online is definitely a “bold” step toward your future. Computer Science I and II and Algorithms are three required courses in the 45 credit hour major. The University of Colorado Boulder charges $825 for each credit hour and offers three starting terms per year for the 120 credit degree. To apply to the online BS in applied computer science program, you will need to send in transcripts, along with a $50 application fee and a one-time new student fee of $232.
#2 – Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, Florida
Computer Science, BS -with Specialization in Information Assurance Online
Faculty to Student Ratio:15 to 1
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 14
Website
The curriculum for the Computer Science, BS – with specialization in Information Assurance degree offered by Saint Leo University was developed from recommendations by two standards-making organizations in educational and scientific computing, IEEE and ACM. The specialization is a 12 credit program with courses such as Disaster Recovery, Penetration Testing, Internet/Intranet Security, and Network Defense and Security. Saint Leo University charges a modest $370 for each credit hour. To apply to the Computer Science, BS – Information Assurance degree program, send high school transcripts and a $45 fee.
#1 – University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Online BS in Computer Science
Faculty to Student Ratio:13 to 1
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points:14
Website
The University of Illinois Springfield has two admittance openings each year for their online BS in computer science program, one in the fall and one in the spring. The 36 credit hour major requires transcripts, a statement of purpose, and a $50 fee to apply. There are 24 credit hours of required courses, and they include Computer Organization, Foundations of Computer Science, Introduction to Operating Systems, and Software Engineering Capstone, along with 12 hours of electives. The University of Illinois Springfield’s online BS in computer science is 120 credit hour degree program and costs $286.25 for each credit hour.
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