10 Universities Offering Online Computer Science Degree Programmes in the United States

An online computer science degree can be a practical way to move into technology without putting your job or other responsibilities on hold.

The programs vary quite a bit, though.

Some follow a traditional semester schedule. Others use shorter terms. Western Governors University takes a different approach altogether, with competency-based learning that lets students move faster when they already know the material.

Cost is another major difference. Some schools charge by the credit. WGU charges by six-month term. Transfer policies also vary, which can make a big difference if you have already completed college coursework.

For this guide, we looked at 10 U.S. universities offering online bachelor’s degrees in computer science. We compared tuition, credit requirements, accreditation, course structure, transfer options, and the type of student each program may suit best.

Tuition and program details can change. Check the university’s official website before applying.

Key takeaways

• Cheapest per credit: LSU Alexandria ($353), SNHU ($354), and UMGC in-state ($337) publish the lowest rates on this list.
• ABET-accredited programs: Only ASU, Oregon State, WGU, and Old Dominion carry program-level ABET accreditation.
• Fastest path: WGU’s competency-based model lets self-directed students move faster and potentially pay less overall — 62% of its CS grads finish within 25 months.
• Best for transfer credit: UMGC, SNHU, and ODU all accept up to 90 transfer credits; LSU Alexandria caps transfers at 75% of requirements.
• Watch the credit math: Oregon State runs on quarter credits (180), not semester credits (120) — it’s the same workload, just counted differently.
• Verify before you enroll: Tuition, especially at University of Phoenix, varies by source — always confirm the current rate directly with the school.
• Price isn’t the whole decision: curriculum depth, concentrations, and how well the delivery format (8-week terms vs. competency-based vs. traditional semesters) fits your actual schedule matter just as much as the per-credit cost.

How to Pick Your Online Computer Science Degree

Everyone starts with price. Fair enough. But it shouldn’t be the only column you look at.

Think about delivery format first. If you’re working full-time, eight-week terms might genuinely fit your life better than a 15-week semester ever could. If you’re coming in with a strong technical background already, a competency-based program might let you blow through material a traditional school would force you to sit out for months.

Then there’s transfer credit, which honestly deserves more attention than it usually gets. If you’ve got an associate degree, or even a stack of scattered college courses from years ago, a generous transfer policy can cut real time and real money off the degree.

And accreditation — don’t skip this. Institutional accreditation applies to the whole university. ABET accreditation is narrower; it applies to a specific program that’s met ABET’s technical standards.

They’re not interchangeable, and it’s worth knowing which one (or both) a given school actually has before you assume “accredited” means what you think it means.

Quick comparison

Use this table for a fast side-by-side view of the ten programs. It highlights tuition, total credits, ABET status, and key format details

The next sections examine each of the ten programs in more detail. You will find tuition, accreditation, flexibility, curriculum highlights, admission notes, outcomes, and support options.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University runs its online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science through ASU Online, and out of everything on this list, it’s probably the closest thing to a “traditional” CS degree you’ll find online.

It’s 120 credit hours, ABET-accredited, and taught in flexible 7.5- to 15-week blocks with multiple start dates a year — so you’re not locked into a single fall enrollment window. Tuition runs about $580 per credit for 2026–27, which puts it at the higher end of this list.

The coursework doesn’t cut corners: calculus, programming, data structures, programming languages, databases, information assurance, AI, and machine learning are all in there.

If you’re weighing AI specifically as a direction, our breakdown of careers in AI and machine learning is worth a look alongside this.

The degree closes with a two-semester capstone, which gives students real room to build something instead of wrapping up with a few disconnected final projects.

ASU also offers 24/7 tutoring, and for anyone self-conscious about the “online” label — ASU says its diplomas don’t specify whether a degree was earned online or on campus. Small detail, but it comes up a lot in forums, so I figured I’d mention it.

Good fit if you want a rigorous, conventional CS curriculum from a big research university. Less great if $580 a credit makes your stomach drop.

2. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global built its online CS degree around flexibility, and it shows.

120 credits, roughly $490 per credit, shorter terms than a standard semester, and six concentration options bolted on top — artificial intelligence and machine learning, networks and security, and software engineering among them. That lets you take what’s otherwise a fairly general CS degree and point it somewhere specific.

Core coursework is what you’d expect: programming, data structures, operating systems, and the usual upper-level CS material.

CSU Global also claims about 85% of graduates land career-related work within six months — that’s a school-reported number, so if it factors into your decision, it’s worth asking how they’re defining “career-related.”

Works well if you want structure with room to specialize. Less appealing if you’re not bringing transfer credits, since $490 a credit adds up fast without them.

3. Louisiana State University Alexandria

Through LSU Online, Louisiana State University Alexandria offers one of the cheaper online CS degrees you’ll find anywhere — $353 per credit for the same 120 credits everyone else charges more for.

LSUA lets students transfer up to 75% of degree requirements (still subject to evaluation, so don’t assume anything until it’s confirmed) and charges flat-rate tuition with no out-of-state penalty. That last part alone makes it worth a look if you live outside Louisiana.

Terms run seven weeks with six starts a year. The coursework covers programming — Java shows up a lot — plus math, data structures, algorithms, and project-based assignments you can actually put in a portfolio later.

From there it moves into operating systems, databases, cybersecurity, and ethics. Classes also run smaller than what you’d get at some of the bigger online schools, which some students genuinely prefer.

If low cost and shorter terms are your priorities, this is a strong contender. If you’re after a heavily specialized track, you’ll find more options elsewhere.

4. Oregon State University

Oregon State University‘s Ecampus offers its online CS degree through the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and it runs on quarters instead of semesters — which trips people up more than you’d think.

That means 180 quarter credits, not 120. Oregon State is upfront that this is mathematically the same workload as a 120-credit semester program, just measured differently. Tuition sits at $480 per quarter credit with no nonresident surcharge, and there are four start terms a year.

The curriculum covers algorithms, operating systems, software engineering, networking, and security, and it leans into actual hands-on work — OSU cites examples like programming a custom sensor board or working with cloud data centers.

There’s also a cybersecurity specialization if that’s the direction you’re headed (our guide on becoming a cybersecurity engineer covers what that career path actually looks like once you’re out). The program carries ABET accreditation on top of Oregon State’s institutional accreditation.

Solid pick if you want a technically dense degree with real project work. Just budget extra time to convert quarter credits into something you can compare against other schools.

5. University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus was designed for online and adult learners from day one, which makes it a natural landing spot if you’re going back to school while working full-time.

The 120-credit program runs $337 per credit in-state, $499 out-of-state (military tuition is priced separately). The real headline here is the transfer policy — up to 90 credits accepted, which can meaningfully shrink both the time and the bill if you’ve already got college credit sitting around.

UMGC still evaluates those credits individually before anything counts, so don’t assume every old credit transfers cleanly.

Coursework covers programming, data structures, software engineering, operating systems, algorithms, and AI, and electives let you drift toward cloud engineering, network security, or web and game development depending on what you’re chasing.

Great option for working adults, military-affiliated students, or anyone with existing transfer credit. Just don’t get too attached to the $337 headline number until you know which rate actually applies to you.

6. University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix has built its online CS degree around adult and working students for a long time now, with shorter course periods designed to fit around a job rather than compete with it.

It’s 120 credits covering programming, software engineering, algorithms, and applied coursework, finishing with a capstone project. The university has held institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission since 1978, so that part’s not in question.

Tuition is the one thing I won’t pin down here — published numbers for this program vary noticeably depending on where you look, and repeating a figure that might already be stale isn’t doing anyone favors.

Check the current rate directly with the university before you factor cost into your decision; it’s a five-minute call or form submission that’ll save you a headache later.

Best suited to working adults who want flexible, short-format scheduling above everything else. The tuition ambiguity is the honest drawback here.

7. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is the outlier on this whole list, and deliberately so. Instead of billing per credit, WGU charges $4,125 every six months — and how fast you move through that term is mostly up to you.

That’s the competency-based model at work. You don’t sit through a fixed number of weeks per course; you prove you know the material and move to the next thing. If you already understand a subject, you’re not stuck waiting out a semester clock for no reason.

WGU reports 62% of graduates in this program finish within 25 months, which gives you a sense of how much faster motivated students can move compared to a traditional pace.

The ABET-accredited program covers AI, machine learning, data structures, computer architecture, systems, computer theory, version control, and Linux. It also folds in industry certifications — Linux Essentials and ITIL Foundation among them — plus WGU’s own credentials tied to Java, back-end development, and AI optimization.

If certifications specifically are what you’re after, we’ve also put together a rundown of tech certifications that actually move the needle with employers, worth comparing against what’s built into this degree.

The catch is real, though. This format rewards people who can manage their own time without a syllabus forcing the pace. If you do your best work with live lectures and a fixed weekly rhythm, WGU might work against your habits rather than for them.

8. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University has a reputation for predictable, fully online degree structures, and its CS program fits that pattern closely.

$354 per credit, 120 credits split into 40 courses, eight-week terms. SNHU also accepts up to 90 transfer credits, meaning someone who maxes that out could end up paying a fraction of what a student starting from scratch would owe.

Coursework spans programming, data structures, software development, systems design, operating systems, databases, testing, secure coding, and mobile/full-stack development, with concentrations available in data analysis, information security, STEM project management, and software engineering.

There’s also an accelerated pathway into SNHU’s online master’s program for students who qualify, and no SAT/ACT requirement or application fee for undergrad admission.

Good match if predictable terms, flexibility, and a generous transfer policy matter more to you than prestige. Not the pick if you’re chasing a big research-university name specifically.

9. Old Dominion University

Through ODU Global, Old Dominion University offers a 120-credit, ABET-accredited CS degree priced around $443 to $453 per credit depending on residency.

Courses run in eight-week terms, noticeably faster than the standard 15-week semester most schools still default to. Coursework covers programming, data structures, operating systems, security, and other core fundamentals alongside practical project work.

ODU also allows eligible students to transfer up to 90 credits — the university decides what actually applies, as usual, but that’s still a generous ceiling.

Online students get tutoring support, including help with programming and math, and ODU’s Virginia location gives it useful ties to the region’s tech, defense, and engineering employers.

Strong pick if ABET accreditation matters to you and you want faster-paced eight-week courses. Just confirm which residency rate applies before you commit to a number in your head.

10. Maryville University

Maryville University closes out the list with a 120-credit online CS degree at $575 per credit, plus a technology fee worth factoring into your total cost estimate rather than an afterthought.

What sets Maryville apart is the focus-area structure. Students pick a lane — artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, software development, or UX/UI — which makes the degree feel more targeted than a purely general CS curriculum.

Core coursework covers programming, computer architecture, security, and related fundamentals, built around project-based learning, and there are pathways for eligible undergrads to start graduate coursework early.

Makes sense if you already know which corner of tech you want to specialize in. At $575 a credit, it’s also one of the pricier options here, so that focus needs to be worth it to you.

Which one is actually right for you?

There’s no universal winner. It depends what you’re optimizing for.

Cost-conscious? Louisiana State University Alexandria, University of Maryland Global Campus, and Southern New Hampshire University lead on published per-credit tuition — $353, $337 in-state, and $354 respectively.

Just remember tuition alone never tells the whole story; transfer credits and financial aid move the real number a lot. If you’re weighing this against other degree paths entirely, our comparison of online degrees for career changers is a useful side-by-side.

Want to finish fast? Western Governors University‘s competency-based model deserves a serious look, especially with 62% of CS graduates finishing within 25 months. Your actual pace still depends on transfer credits, available study time, and how quickly you can prove mastery of each course.

Accreditation non-negotiable? Arizona State University, Western Governors University, Oregon State University, and Old Dominion University all carry ABET accreditation specifically for their CS programs. It’s not required for every tech career, but it’s a real signal worth weighing.

Bringing existing college credit? Look at transfer rules closely. University of Maryland Global Campus and Southern New Hampshire University both go up to 90 transfer credits, while LSU Alexandria allows up to 75% of total requirements. That gap alone can outweigh a small per-credit price difference.

Want the traditional university feel? Arizona State University and Oregon State University both deliver a conventional, technically thorough CS curriculum — ASU’s two-semester capstone in particular gives you a depth of project work shorter programs don’t really offer.

If you’re still torn between a CS degree and some other path entirely, it might be worth stepping back further — our piece on whether an online MBA is worth it for a career pivot walks through similar ROI questions from a different angle, and the logic overlaps more than people expect.

What to check before you apply anywhere

Don’t decide on tuition alone. A few other things matter just as much, if not more.

Total program cost. Multiply the current per-credit rate by the credits you’ll actually need, then add technology fees, materials, and anything else mandatory. The advertised number is rarely the real number.

Transfer credit rules. A school charging $20 more per credit can still end up cheaper overall if it accepts significantly more of what you’ve already completed.

The actual curriculum. A real CS degree goes well past intro programming — look for data structures, algorithms, databases, operating systems, software engineering, and a solid math backbone.

Concentrations and electives, especially if you already know where you’re headed. Someone aiming at AI work wants a very different elective mix than someone targeting cybersecurity or general software engineering — and if you want a sense of what those day-one jobs actually look like, our piece on what an application developer does is a decent reality check.

Accreditation, both institutional and program-specific where ABET applies.

Your own learning style, honestly. If you need deadlines and external structure, a course-based program like SNHU or ASU will probably serve you better.

If you work well independently, WGU’s model might genuinely save you time and money — but only if you’re honest with yourself about which type of student you actually are.

Final thoughts

A computer science degree earned online can open real doors into software, data, cybersecurity, and AI work. But the “best” program isn’t automatically the cheapest one or the one with the biggest name on the diploma.

ASU offers rigor and ABET accreditation. Oregon State pairs quarter-based structure with genuinely hands-on projects. WGU rewards self-directed learners willing to move at their own pace. LSU Alexandria and SNHU keep tuition relatively low. UMGC and SNHU stand out if you’re carrying transfer credit into the program.

Before committing to anything, compare current tuition, transfer evaluation, curriculum, accreditation, and financial aid for your specific situation — not someone else’s.

And if you’re still not 100% sure computer science is even the right lane for you, running through AscendurePro’s career assessment before you spend four years and thousands of dollars finding out isn’t a bad way to spend twenty minutes.