The 15 Best Online Computer Science Undergraduate
Programs of 2021

If you are considering obtaining a bachelor’s degree in computer science, you probably have a career plan in mind. The demand for computer scientists is high, only exacerbated by the accelerated growth of the tech industry. This makes it the perfect time to pursue an undergraduate degree in computer science.

To make your experience even better, why not get your training online and enjoy the flexibility that remote learning offers? If that sounds like a good deal, here’s a guide on the best online bachelor’s degrees in computer science. Explore what each school has to offer and jumpstart your tech career from the comfort of your home.

Because there are many computer science bachelor’s degree programs across the United States, finding the perfect online course can be daunting. To facilitate your search process, we’ve listed the top 15 online computer science bachelor’s degree offerings to get you started.

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Some notes: the list is in alphabetical order, and all of the information provided below were taken from the websites of the respective universities. The figures reflect the tuition rate at the time of writing and refer to the annual rate unless otherwise stated.

The benefits of pursuing a computer science bachelor’s degree online are manyfold. Many universities and colleges today have revamped their curriculum to suit the needs of online learning. Below are the reasons behind pursuing your computer science education online.

To enroll in an online computer science bachelor’s degree program, you need to make sure you fit the bill. Schools offering computer science degrees often ask for a certain GPA average. A background in math or science is also considered an advantage. Finally, experience in coding will give you a leg up.

We’ve churned out a brief overview of the best online CS bachelor’s degrees. This list provides you with an overview of what each college has to offer. The universities are listed in alphabetical order.

Arizona State University (ASU) offers a robust business-oriented online Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems Degree program that focuses on computer information systems. The program is designed to cater to the growing skills demand for systems analysis, business application programming, and business database design.

This Arizona State University program has been designated as a STEM-eligible degree by the US Department of Homeland Security. ASU provides many forms of financial aid as well as business scholarships for students with excellent academic records.

CMU offers a Bachelor of Science as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science. The university’s online programs can be completed on a flexible basis. This is a great option if you would like to work while pursuing your education.

CMU prepares you for the real world with hands-on seminars and courses. Despite being completely online, all courses are fully interactive. Courses may dwell on application programming, computing systems, networking, databases, and software packages.

The CSU major in computer science provides students with a vigorous and well-rounded curriculum. Course options include artificial intelligence and programming, computing systems, human-centered computing, and software engineering.

Computer science students are encouraged to specialize in a particular module and focus on one particular tech skill. This online bachelor’s degree will set you up for a prosperous career in tech. Internships and robust career advice are also provided for graduates.

Completing this exciting computer science program requires at least 120 credits. The curriculum revolves around three pillars: artificial intelligence, gaming and simulations, and computer theory and algorithms. Throughout the four-year program, students will specialize in one of these three fields.

Note that the gaming and simulations specialization is not available for online students. The university’s state-of-the-art gaming lab is only available for on-campus students.

This university aims to create capable and efficient computer and information research scientists. Its CIS program includes courses in Cisco networking, database management, cyber security, project management, and system design and analysis.

Students can specialize in ethical hacking, advanced web design, and advanced programming in their final two years. A majority of the teachers at Monroe College are researchers, which means the course content is always exciting and innovative.

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive online BS program in computer science. A bachelor’s in computer science from OSU will allow you to pursue robotics, artificial intelligence, and cyber crime.

The university offers students the chance to enroll in software engineering entrepreneurship to improve their career prospects. Through entrepreneurship, ambitious students go on to launch their ventures or business start-ups.

After completing this challenging program, you will become a professional IT problem-solver. Post University’s BS program in computer information systems preps you for a career in systems analysis, programming, or database analysis.

This university offers a more traditional yet well-rounded curriculum. The great thing about this program is that it combines disciplines. Seminars and lectures cover topics like technology, business, computer science, and communication. You can contact the university to organize an online tour of its curriculum.

Throughout the program, you will be surrounded by world-renowned technology experts. Saint Leo prides itself on innovative and fascinating research projects in the world of tech. The program focuses on a hands-on approach to learning. You will cover topics like design, web development, management, and software maintenance.

The program will provide you with marketable skills that will ramp up your employability. Graduates from Saint Leo University have ended up working at IBM, the US Air Force, and Texas Instruments.

Saint Louis University provides a robust curriculum that covers everything you need to know about computer information systems. The university is aware of the ever-changing nature of technology, which is why teachers make the effort to practice up-to-date teaching styles.

To apply to Saint Louis, you need to be at least 22 years old. You also need at least three years of experience and a GPA of 2.50. This is a very selective university that offers a laser-focused curriculum. Students are expected to specialize in data analytics or cyber security.

This program at SNHU focuses on the software development side of computer science. Throughout the process of obtaining the degree, you will learn industry-standard technologies and computer programming frameworks. Languages taught at the university include, Python, C++, and Java.

After program completion, you will be a fully marketable software developer. SNHU’s online degree uses industry-level testing tools like OpenGL, Junit Testing, and Eclipse. Students can specialize in data analysis, project management for STEM, information security, or software engineering.

After completion of this exciting computer science program, students will be familiar with a huge amount of tech tools and technologies. Rather than having a one-size-fits-all curriculum, the program is completely personalized. Students discuss their areas of interest with an advisor during the enrollment stage.

The course outline is designed on an individual basis to suit everyone’s needs and expectations. You must have a GPA of 2.0 and two semesters of Java experience to apply. You must also have a background in calculus, discrete math, and statistics.

The UNCA program provides students with extensive education in application engineering, systems programming, and software engineering. This is a fantastic program if you aim to pursue a career in commercial programming or database management.

Ambitious students are given the chance to take part in research or fieldwork. Students are also encouraged to take up teaching others. Teaching is a fantastic way to solidify what you learn, and this is what UNCA is all about.

This online program requires the completion of over 120 credit hours in five years. UND teaches its students how to analyze problems and design solutions. Throughout the degree, you will try your hand at designing applications, developing computer animations, and designing aerospace systems.

The particularity of this program is that it is heavily geared towards math and science. If you do not have a background in those fields, we recommend taking a crash course. This program is aimed at students who wish to pursue a career in technical or scientific fields.

This Catholic university offers a program that sets students up for a technical career in computing. The curriculum is characterized by a staunch focus on programming languages. Technologies you will cover include C++, Java, and Visual basic.

The program is punctuated by a series of very interesting seminars. Topics range from bioinformatics to human-computer interaction and game development. The curriculum is incredibly broad-ranging and will prepare you for your dream career.

Western Kentucky University provides a full-fledged programming-oriented curriculum. You can complete the online computer science bachelor in three to five years. This gives you more than enough time to gain crucial hands-on computer science experience and competencies.

The program provides modules that include communications, legal and ethical principles, and problem-solving. This goes to demonstrate that this particular computer science bachelor’s degree is perfectly apt to kickstart your tech career.

Choosing the right online computer science degree program can be an overwhelming task. To help ease your anxiety, we’ve come up with three points to keep in mind when sifting through degree programs and their content.

Every bachelor’s degree has certain requirements. Before you delve into a program’s curriculum, make sure you check out the prerequisites. If the university asks for a high school diploma, you must have one along with the correct documentation.

Online bachelor’s degrees offer more flexibility than on-campus programs. This means you can study anytime, anywhere. When sifting through degree options, make sure you find a program that works with your busy schedule. If you are working or a parent, you need to make sure there can be no overlap between courses and your other obligations.

Some programs offer internships. Internships are incredibly valuable and improve your resume by miles. A program that offers an internship is far superior to one that doesn’t. Work experience is hard to get, and an internship is the perfect first step into a career, especially in tech.

Computer scientists work on computers, computer technologies, and computational systems. With an online bachelor’s degree in computer science, you can end up working in diverse fields. These include business, construction, technology, healthcare, or even media and telecommunications.

We’ve listed three different professions to give you an idea of the roles you can land and their approximate average salaries.

An online computer science bachelor’s offers a wealth of career possibilities. Salaries can therefore vary greatly. Computer programming, the job most associated with a computer science degree, offers an average salary of $64,476, according to PayScale. You can expect to earn at least $60,000 as a starting salary with a computer science degree.

If you go on to acquire specializations or work your way up a company, you can reach a six-figure salary. For example, senior software developers can close to $100,000, according to PayScale.

A BA in Computer Science provides general education on any topic. If you are unsure about what career path to follow once you graduate, go for a BA. If you have your career planned out, go for a BS in computer science. A BS offers more specialization, laser-focused modules, and more technical education.

With a degree in computer science, you will be fully prepared to pursue a lucrative career in tech. Graduates can also pursue an online master’s degree in computer science which can offer further career advancement. Computer science graduates can expect an abundance of career opportunities today.

As the tech and business industries grow on a global scale, there will be continued demand for computer scientists. With an online computer science bachelor’s degree you can pursue many careers from data science to software development.