Computer science is one of the fastest-growing fields out there–and it’s no wonder. With such rapidly evolving technology and the ever-increasing demands of consumers, there’s no end to the possibilities of where a degree in this domain could take you. Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the most affordable, practical, and highly-esteemable institutions through which to obtain your online degree in computer science. Not only are these schools easy on the wallet, but also highly respected in the post-secondary education community. This list takes into account costs versus benefits, returns on investment, and the quality of academic material.
Methodology
All schools considered for these rankings
- Are regionally or nationally accredited
- Offer at least one fully online computer science degree (with no more than two weeks of required in-person work)
- Were collected from official accrediting agency websites.
Schools are ranked solely by the average net price as released in the most recent IPEDs database collected in July of 2020.
Cheapest Online Computer Science Degrees for 2021
| Rank | School | Average Net Price |
| # 1 | Western Governors University | $7,785 |
| # 2 | Grantham University | $8,400 |
| # 3 | Florida International University | $9,888 |
| # 4 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | $10,338 |
| # 5 | Weber State University | $11,224 |
| # 6 | University of Illinois at Springfield | $11,534 |
| # 7 | SUNY Empire State College | $11,696 |
| # 8 | Fort Hays State University | $12,108 |
| # 9 | Franklin University | $12,459 |
| # 10 | Lamar University | $12,716 |
| # 11 | Troy University | $12,951 |
| # 12 | Baker College Online | $14,487 |
| # 13 | Park University | $14,695 |
| # 14 | Eastern Oregon University | $14,835 |
| # 15 | Regent University Online | $15,062 |
| # 16 | Central Methodist University | $15,196 |
| # 17 | Old Dominion University | $16,681 |
| # 18 | Saint Leo University Online | $19,843 |
| # 19 | Limestone College | $23,023 |
| # 20 | Wayland Baptist University | $24,882 |
| # 21 | Liberty University | $28,181 |
| # 22 | Southern New Hampshire University Online | $39,743 |
10 Best Affordable Colleges for Online Computer Science Degrees
1. Western Governors University
Average Net Price: $7,785
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: NWCCU
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
Western Governors University is a private university that was established in 1996. It is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is considered a large institution with an undergraduate population of 88,921. According to Niche, this university ranked fourth for best value colleges in the state of Utah. On U.S. News & World Report, it ranked 12th for most innovative schools. Western Governors University features one of the best online computer science degree programs in the United States. This online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science program will prepare students for a career involving designing, optimizing, and developing computer systems for businesses. Most students finish this program within one year. The following courses are required for students to graduate from the online computer science degree at Western Governors University: Introduction to IT, Web Development Foundations, Network and Security, Scripting and Programming, the Business of IT, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, and more.
2. Grantham University
Average Net Price: $8,400
School Type: For-Profit
School Accreditation: DEAC
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
Grantham University is a for-profit university that was founded in 1951. It is located in Lenexa, Kansas and is considered to be a small institution with an undergraduate population of 3,009. Grantham University provides students who are unable to commute to campus with the option of receiving an online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Computer Science. The purpose of this computer science online degree is to offer all students interested in computers the convenience, accessibility, and flexibility that they need to complete their degree. Individuals who enroll in this program will learn the essential skills and knowledge to succeed in careers such as software engineers, developers, system analysts, system developers, computer programmers, and more. The majority of students graduate from this program in a little over two years. The following are a few of the mandatory courses to complete this online degree: Programming in JavaScript, Data Structures, Operating Systems, Programming Languages, Software Engineering, Computer Networks, Security Operations, Systems Analysis and Design, and more.
3. Florida International University
Average Net Price: $9,888
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Florida International University is a public university that opened its doors in 1972. It is located in the city of Miami, Florida, and is considered a large institution with an undergraduate population of 48,439. According to Niche, this university ranked fifth for top public universities in the state of Florida, 71st for best big colleges in the United States, and 85th for top public universities in America. On U.S. News & World Report, it ranked 12th for top performers on social mobility, 63rd for most innovative schools, and 105th for top public schools in the United States. Florida International University is known for having one of the best computer science online degree programs in the country. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Computer Science is very in demand, as companies become more dependent on computers, digital information, and programming. All individuals enrolled in the program must pass each of the following courses: Fundamentals of Computer Systems, Structured Computer Organization, Technology in the Global Arena, Data Structures, Operating Systems Principles, Database Management, and more.
4. Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Average Net Price: $10,338
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus is a public university that was formed in 1934. It is located in Portales, New Mexico, and is considered a small institution with an undergraduate population of 4,706. According to U.S. News & World Report, this university ranked 87th for best regional universities in the west and 72nd for top performers on social mobility. Eastern New Mexico offers an excellent online degree in computer science. This program will teach individuals the skills and knowledge to pursue careers as software engineers, systems analysts, computer programmers, consultants, and database managers. The following courses are required to earn the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Computer Science at this university: Introduction to Computer Programming, Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science, Programming Language Concepts, Data Structures, Database Design and Programming, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Software Engineering, and more.
5. Weber State University
Average Net Price: $11,224
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: NWCCU
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
Weber State University is a public university that was established in 1889. It is located in Ogden, Utah and is considered a large university with an undergraduate population of 27,465. According to U.S. News & World Report, this university ranked 40th for top public schools, 80th for best regional universities in the west, and 111th for top performers on social mobility. On Niche, it ranked 6th for best value colleges in the state of Utah. Weber State University has implemented an online degree in computer science for those who are unable to attend classes on campus. The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Computer Science program will equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to efficiently work in a career involving computers, which includes business intelligence managers, application developers, web developers, computer software developers, and technical support engineers. A few of the required courses that students must complete to successfully earn this online degree are Foundations of Computing, Object-Oriented Programming, Computational Structures, Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms, Network Fundamentals and Design, and more.
6. University of Illinois at Springfield
Average Net Price: $11,534
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 52%
The University of Illinois at Springfield is a public university that first opened to the public in 1969. It is located in Springfield, Illinois, and is considered a small institution with 2,814 undergraduate students. According to U.S. News & World Report, this university ranked fourth for top public schools, 25th for top performers on social mobility, 33rd for best regional universities in the Midwest, and 41st for best value schools. On Niche, it ranked fourth for best online colleges in the United States, 137th for top public universities in America, and 164th for best small colleges in the country. The University of Illinois at Springfield features an online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Computer Science as well as an online Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Computer Science. The online bachelor’s degree will prepare students to play a vital role in an ever-changing technological field. Undergraduate students in this program will be required to enroll in the following courses to earn the degree: Computer Organization, Data Structures and Algorithms, Foundations of Computer Science, Programming Languages, Introduction to Operating Systems, and more.
The M.S. in Computer Science degree program is a great program for individuals seeking an advanced education involving computers. This program is essential for those who are interested in designing, implementing, and analyzing different software programs. Students in this graduate program may enroll in the following courses: Foundations of Network Security and Information Assurance, Intrusion Detection, Introduction to Cryptography, Web Design, Computer Ethics for Computing Professionals, Introduction to Database Systems, Algorithms and Computation, Data Mining, Big Data Analytics, Data Visualization, Computer Security, Advanced Database Concepts, Software Testing and Reliability, Network Programming, and more.
7. SUNY Empire State College
Average Net Price: $11,696
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: MSCHE
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
SUNY Empire State College is a public university that began educating students in 1971. It is located in Saratoga Springs, New York, and is considered an average size school with an undergraduate population of 9,307. SUNY Empire State College offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Science, Mathematics, and Technology with a concentration in Computer Science. The goal of this program is to teach students algorithms, computer hardware designs, and systems programming. This program provides the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this field regardless of the student’s location and ability to commute to campus. Some of the courses found in the curriculum of the computer science concentration at this school are Introduction to Computing, Computer Architecture, Operating Systems, Introduction to Networks, Introduction to C++ Programming, Database Systems, Data Structures and Algorithms, Software Engineering, and more.
8. Fort Hays State University
Average Net Price: $12,108
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Fort Hays State University is a public university that started operating in 1902. It is located in Hays, Kansas, and is considered an average size institution with 12,780 undergraduate students. According to U.S. News & World Report, this university ranked 117th for best regional universities in the Midwest and 119th for top performers on social mobility. On Niche, it ranked 30th for best online colleges in the United States. Fort Hays State University implemented a computer science degree online program in hopes of providing higher education to students around the world. The online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Computer Science offers convenience, flexibility, guidance, and accessibility to all students who are admitted. The following are several of the courses that individuals in the program must pass to earn their degree: Introduction to Computer Information Systems, Introduction to Web Development, Front-End Web Development, Database Design and Programming, Back-End Web Development, Survey of Computer Science, Foundations of Computing, Computer Graphics, Software Engineering, and more.
9. Franklin University
Average Net Price: $12,459
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
Franklin University is a private university that was developed in 1902. It is located in the city of Columbus, Ohio, and is considered a small college with less than 1,000 undergraduate students. Franklin University features an online Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Computer science, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Computer Science, and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Computer Science. Some of the skills and knowledge that students will gain throughout the A.S. in Computer Science program are object-oriented design, database management, development and testing of applications and software, and quality assurance. A few of the courses that students will be required to complete in order to earn this degree are Introduction to Computer Science & Object-Oriented Programming, Principles of Computer Organization, Principles of Computer Networks, Database Management Systems, Cyber Security Fundamentals, and more.
The B.S. in Computer Science program teaches students how to analyze, assess, design, and implement technology-based solutions that will benefit many different companies and businesses. The objective of the program is to educate students on how to handle and solve the many arising issues of the constantly changing technological field. Several of the courses listed in the curriculum of this degree program are Application Server Programming, Fundamentals of Operating Systems, Object-Oriented Data Structures & Algorithms, and more.
The M.S. in Computer Science program will provide students with an advanced education to succeed in a career helping organizations with their emerging software and computer issues. This degree is highly sought-after, as companies and corporations need individuals who can solve software problems as quickly as possible to help keep their company running efficiently. The following courses are mandatory to successfully complete this graduate degree: Analysis of Algorithms, Issues in Database Management, Object-Oriented Design & Practice, Distributed Systems, Verification & Testing, and more.
10. Lamar University
Average Net Price: $12,716
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Lamar University is a public university that was created in 1923. It is located in Beaumont, Texas, and is considered an average size school with an undergraduate population of 8,904. Lamar University provides interested individuals with an excellent computer science degree online. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science degree focuses on teaching students how to proficiently deal with data structures, programming languages, networking, multimedia, databases, software engineering, computer architecture, and so much more. Upon graduation, students will be ready to take on the role of a computer scientist. All students enrolled in this program will be required to pass the following courses: Fundamentals of Computing, Programming Fundamentals, Introduction to Computer Theory, Analysis and Design of Algorithms, Computer Law and Ethics, Operating Systems, Introduction to Computer Architecture, Data Communication & Computer Networks, Database Design, Software Engineering, and more.