Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science

It’s no secret that computer science is an important field. Computer-based systems are used in practically every modern organization and industry, making a degree in computer science one of the most well-rounded you can earn. Whether you have your sights set on starting your own business in the future or choosing to join a larger corporation offering stable, long-term work, earning a bachelor’s degree opens doors to many options.

Although there are a wide range of computer science careers, including positions in mobile app development and information security analysis, the field will continue to grow in importance as businesses worldwide lose their workforce to retirement and ramp up their use of computers. College graduates with a computer science degree have a multitude of educational opportunities available to them, making this a great major for students looking to enter or advance in the job force.

Whether you want to build the next big app, work for a tech giant, or start your own company, there is a wealth of opportunities in computer science. Students who wish to pursue their computer science degree will be entering an increasingly large field after graduation.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science Online

If you’re thinking about pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in computer science, below you’ll find the top ten best schools for this field of study. These prestigious institutions all offer reputable programs that cover the entire spectrum of computer science, from programming languages to operating systems. If you have a passion for the sciences and enjoy working with computers, there are any number of career possibilities from which to choose.

Top 10 Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science

1. University of Massachusetts – Lowell

UMass Lowell is a large public university located in Lowell, Massachusetts. The college serves more than 17,000 students across a wide range of programs, including a popular online computer science bachelor’s degree program.

The school offers over 100 traditional undergraduate majors in addition to its online degree program. Students can choose from concentrations in bio-cheminformatics and data science.The faculty at UMass Lowell includes more than 800 highly qualified educators who are dedicated to supporting students as they pursue academic excellence and professional success.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science

The school’s online computer science bachelor’s programs blend theory with practice through an emphasis on real-world applications and problem solving. Students acquire skills that prepare them for careers in computing, including database design, software development and advanced programming techniques.The school’s online computer science courses are taught by professors with extensive industry experience, who bring real-world perspectives to the classroom.

Location: 1 University Ave Lowell, MA

Visit Website

2. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

North Carolina’s University at Greensboro is a public liberal arts and research university. It is one of 16 schools within the University of North Carolina system and was established in 1891. The school is home to over 18,000 students who are enrolled in over 100 different undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science

The school offers a bachelor’s of computer science degree online, and students can improve their skills in programming languages, computer platforms, data analysis, arithmetic, and other areas through this curriculum. Computer ethics and professional abilities are also covered in the program, which prepare students for the working world. UNCG also assists computer science students in finding part-time jobs in the field, which helps them create a resume and network. Students can use some undergraduate credits toward a master’s degree through the school’s expedited BS-MS program.

Location: 1400 Spring Garden St Greensboro, NC

Visit Website

3. University of Illinois at Springfield

The University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) is a public, state-supported institution that offers a variety of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The school, located about 100 miles northeast of St. Louis and 200 miles southwest of Chicago, is one of the newest members of the University of Illinois system and one of the few public liberal arts colleges in the state.

The school was established in 1969 after two state-supported institutions were combined under one name, although each had its own campus location: Sangamon State College and the University of Illinois at Springfield Center.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science

UIS offers many undergraduate degree programs online and through a variety of formats, including traditional on-campus study and hybrid classes that combine on-campus lectures with some distance learning. Students enrolled in the school’s online bachelor’s degree program in computer science are taught how to apply problem-solving abilities to computer systems. Courses cover programming, software testing, computer architecture, operating systems, game development and more. The degree culminates in a software engineering project that requires remote learners to participate in all stages of software development. Students at UIS have access to a variety of advanced computing facilities, including a network configuration lab and a Sun fileserver. Students can also earn credit through industry work opportunities such as internships and cooperative education positions.

Location: One University Plaza Springfield, IL

Visit Website

4. Oregon State University

Oregon State University has been offering online and distance education since the 1960s. Part of the Oregon University System, OSU was founded in 1868 and is located in Corvallis, Oregon. OSU currently has two campuses, one in the city of Corvallis and the other in Bend, Oregon.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science

The university’s online bachelor’s degree in computer science is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.Students can enroll for a one-, two-, three-, or four-year track. Depending on the length of their track, students can complete as few as 15 courses and as many as 20. The program offers flexible start dates throughout the year and students only take courses required for computer science, with no need to satisfy other requirements. Students have access to both asynchronous and synchronous courses, allowing them to fit classes into their schedule that works best for them.The program is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing students to earn a degree that can be applied to a range of industries including entertainment, medicine, and business.

Location: 1500 S.W. Jefferson Corvallis, OR

Visit Website

5. George Mason University

At over 33,000 students, George Mason University is the largest public university in Virginia.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science

Students in Oregon State University’s online computer science program gain a foundational understanding of the field’s theories and practices along with professional preparation for employment. Core topics include algorithms, data structures, operating systems concepts, and programming languages. Students can explore double majors with OSU’s computer engineering program or pursue accelerated BS-MS pathways.

Location: 4400 University Dr Fairfax, VA

Visit Website

6. University of Florida – Online

The University of Florida (UF) is a public, senior member of the State University System of Florida and is a respected research-intensive university. The university serves more than 50,000 students through 16 academic colleges, and also features a substantial distance education program.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science

UF’s online computer science bachelor’s degree features a liberal arts foundation, and requires students to pass courses in the humanities, social sciences, and foreign languages. Core classes cover computer organization, software engineering, programming languages, and database systems, along with foundational courses in math, science, and statistics. Most applicants have completed an associate degree; students with some college experience should have taken analytic geometry and physics classes. In addition, applicants must have a 2.50 GPA in their previous classes.

Location: 341 Tigert Hall 300 SW 13th St Gainesville, FL

Visit Website

7. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University operates two campuses in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The university is divided into dozens of individual schools and colleges, with a wide variety of academic programs available.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science

Students in Kennesaw State’s graduate program in computer science are taught the fundamentals of the field, along with information technology applications. Classes cover operating systems, database systems, software engineering, and mathematics in a computer science context. Students can earn a certification in mathematics to tcal foundations of computing along with their degree, which aheir professional marketability upon graduation. Graduates leave school prepared for positions as information technology specialists, network administrators, programmer analysts, software engineers and more.

Location: Kennesaw, GA

Visit Website

8. George Washington University

George Washington University (GWU) was founded in the District of Columbia and is the largest higher education institution in the city.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science

All online bachelor’s degree programs at GWU are designed with a specific career goal in mind. Online students can choose from four specializations, including programming languages and technology, artificial intelligence, data science, or software engineering. There are also three non-technical specializations available: technology and law, business and project management, or communications and social media. After their 8-credit design project is complete, students can earn both their bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in a five-year program called the Flex Option.

Location: 2121 I Street, NW Washington, DC

Visit Website

9. Liberty University

Liberty is a nonprofit institution with a student population of 120,000.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science

Liberty University is proud to give you access to over 200 online degree programs – including an online bachelor’s in computer science program that allows students to pursue either a general track or one of four specialized concentrations. Counting the total number of 29 undergraduate or graduate degrees from the Lynchburg, Virginia-based, nonprofit Christian college, the popular and affordable program features a combined emphasis on both technical skills as well as ethical applications of those skills. Many of the courses in this program are taught by professors who are experts in their fields and who possess teaching credentials in the areas they cover.

Location: 1971 University Blvd Lynchburg, VA

Visit Website

10. The University of West Florida

UWF was founded in 1963 and is located in Pensacola. Today, the school serves more than 13,000 students. Programs at UWF are dedicated to progressive education, and the school’s values include collaboration, distinctiveness, and innovation.

The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have named UWF as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education for its computer science department. Students earning their bachelor’s degree online can take classes along one of five tracks, including computer information systems, computer science, cybersecurity, software engineering, and information technology. Core courses in programming languages, data structures, software engineering, and other key competences are included in all programs.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science

There are a number of career paths available to computer science graduates. Students who earn their online bachelor’s in computer science degree can pursue careers in business consulting, IT and information security and software development. For some students, an online computer science degree program may be an opportunity to improve their skills, get the credentials they need to advance their careers and gain the technical training needed to join a growing field.

Location: 11000 University Parkway Pensacola, FL

Visit Website

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that information technology professionals are in especially high demand. And employers don’t just want computer programmers. They want people who understand the bigger picture, like computer scientists.The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $91,250 in May 2020 and projected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030.It include:

Online courses often get a bad reputation for allowing students to cheat and plagiarize, but that’s only true if you let it be true. Plagiarism isn’t ever okay, but group discussions are invaluable opportunities to learn from one another and build connections. If you’re not familiar with the work your classmates have done on their own time, you’ll never be able to approach problems in the same way they do. This can make teamwork challenging to navigate from a UX perspective and ultimately slows the development process down.

You’re seriously considering attending a traditional college or university to earn your degree in computer science, but you don’t want to move back home. Maybe you got hired at a great job, have a family to take care of or just prefer the flexibility that comes with earning your bachelor’s online. No matter your reason for wanting to earn your undergraduate degree in CS fully online, there are several factors worth considering.

Common Computer Science Degree Courses

Introduction to Computer Science

This course is an introduction to computer science. It presents fundamental concepts in the field that you can use as a starting point for more advanced study, or as an enhancement to your current knowledge. Topics include computer architecture, networking, data organizations and data structures, program development, programming languages/compilers, and object-oriented programming.

Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science Admission Requirement

High School Education

To enter a bachelor’s degree program, you will need to have completed a high school-level education. You can achieve this by completing an accredited high school program with grades or standardized scores earned in designated subjects, or through the completion of a high school completion program such as the GED or an adult education program.

Minimum GPA

Admission policies at many universities state that students must have a minimum high school academic grade point average (GPA). This is most often seen as a requirement for freshman applicants. Minimum GPA requirements typically fall between a 2.0 and 3.0 on the 4.0 scale. If an applicant’s GPA falls below this range, he or she may still be admitted under certain conditions, or wait a year to enroll in school when able to begin again with a stronger GPA.

ACT or SAT Scores

When applying to colleges, it is important to have your ACT and SAT scores ready. Many schools use these scoring systems as part of the application process. 

Course Prerequisites

The introduction to computer science class provides a broad introduction to computer science, including programming, software development, and design. This course is typically a requirement for admission into a computer science program. Check with your prospective school for potential prerequisite courses and general information about their admissions process.

Work Experience

Work or volunteer experience is an unusual admission requirement for most undergraduate programs. However, they can provide students with clear evidence of their work ethic and commitment to the field. Since types of work or volunteer experience vary widely, it’s important to examine your program’s admission requirements carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Computer Science Programs