Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs

Badge for BEST ONLINE ASSOCIATE'S IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

By Dr. Winston Ewert and Dr. James Barham

Published: Sep 17, 2021
Updated: Feb 8, 2024

Find top-ranked online associate in computer science degree programs for students looking to qualify for entry-level employment as computer support specialists, web and application developers, software architects, and computer programmers.

Top 10 Online Associate in Computer Science

Southern New Hampshire University
Blinn College
Anne Arundel Community College
Montgomery College
Rogers State University
City College of San Francisco
Cochise College
Northern Virginia Community College
Palomar College
Albany State University

Anne Arundel Community College
Southern New Hampshire University
City College of San Francisco
Park University
Albany State University
Northern Virginia Community College
Jamestown Community College
Blinn College
Montgomery College
Palomar College

Southern New Hampshire University 96%

Blinn College 35 to 1
Northern Virginia Community College 28 to 1
College of Southern Idaho 22 to 1
Southern New Hampshire University 22 to 1
Palomar College 21 to 1
Jamestown Community College 21 to 1
Tidewater Community College 20 to 1
City College of San Francisco 20 to 1
Albany State University 20 to 1
Des Moines Area Community College 19 to 1

Southern New Hampshire University $15,380
Park University $12,671
Kishwaukee College $8,820
Montgomery College $8,070
Anne Arundel Community College $7,920
Bucks County Community College $7,920
Grand Rapids Community College $7,470
Thomas Edison State University $7,372
Community College of Baltimore County $5,784
Northern Virginia Community College $5,412

Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
Thomas Edison State University $12,150
Park University $6,663
Rogers State University $4,316
Albany State University $3,438

Metropolitan Community College
Bucks County Community College
Ocean County College
Paradise Valley Community College
Western Nebraska Community College
Murray State College
Grand Rapids Community College
Des Moines Area Community College
Sussex County Community College
Kishwaukee College

Metropolitan Community College
Sussex County Community College
Somerset Community College
Kishwaukee College
Paradise Valley Community College
Des Moines Area Community College
Ocean County College
Grand Rapids Community College
Murray State College
Tidewater Community College

Southern New Hampshire University 96%

Paradise Valley Community College 11 to 1
Central Texas College 13 to 1
Bucks County Community College 13 to 1
Community College of Baltimore County 14 to 1
Metropolitan Community College 14 to 1
Park University 14 to 1
Finger Lakes Community College 14 to 1
Murray State College 15 to 1
Thomas Edison State University 15 to 1
Cochise College 15 to 1

Trinity Valley Community College $1,170
Palomar College $1,288
Paradise Valley Community College $2,040
Cochise College $2,184
Western Nebraska Community College $2,556
Metropolitan Community College $3,060
Blinn College $3,600
Central Texas College $3,720
Albany State University $4,064
Somerset Community College $4,368

Albany State University $3,438
Rogers State University $4,316
Park University $6,663
Thomas Edison State University $12,150
Southern New Hampshire University $18,900

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

The associate degree in computer science is an affordable way to get started on your college education. The typical associate degree will take about two years to complete.

Many community colleges and two-year schools offer both traditional and online degree programs for students pursuing their associate degree in computer science.

Earning an online associate degree in computer science can prepare you for a variety of entry level jobs in your field. Many students also continue into a bachelor’s degree program in computer science or a related area.

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Computer Science Associate Degrees

Students completing the online associate degree in computer science program will learn computer programming, coding, algorithms, software development, and more. Along with general education courses, students will take classes about computer science theory, digital design, computer systems, data science and programming fundamentals for C++ and Java.

Online computer science associate degree students are required to complete 45 to 60 credits, which equates to about two years. Most programs are flexible, so students can earn their associate degree either online or on campus.

In most cases, the associate-level online computer science program is designed to allow students to transfer to a university to complete a bachelor’s degree. Those who graduate with their associate in computer science online can also qualify for entry-level employment in the computer science field.

Graduates with the associate’s degree in computer science often find work as a computer support specialists, web and application developers, software architects, and computer programmers. Students who wish to become computer scientists must go on to earn their bachelor’s degree in computer science and, in many cases, an advanced computer science degree.

Learn more about how to major in computer science.

How do we determine the best online computer science associate degree programs?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Computer Science Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Computer Science

Degree Level: Associate's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Starting Salary*: $44,167
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $61,150
* denotes ‘annually’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Computer and Information Systems Managers	15.41%	$134,192
Computer and Information Research Scientists	22.74%	$126,122
Database Architects	10.00%	$120,910
Software Developers	25.74%	$106,816
Information Security Analysts	31.56%	$102,130
Data Scientists	35.11%	$91,799
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	20.32%	$88,489
Computer Programmers	-11.26%	$88,133
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	5.48%	$85,390
Computer Occupations, All Other	9.72%	$79,886

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%	Median	Top 10%
$58,606	$96,828	$146,134

Promising Job Markets

State	Cost of Living	Avg. Salary
#2 Washington	7% higher than average	$130,691
#3 Virginia	5% higher than average	$114,361
#4 North Carolina	11% higher than average	$102,822
#5 Texas	10% higher than average	$104,055
#6 Georgia	13% higher than average	$98,844
#7 Ohio	14% higher than average	$96,113
#8 New York	5% higher than average	$116,061
#9 Illinois	7% higher than average	$101,237
#10 Delaware	2% higher than average	$110,937
#11 Michigan	15% higher than average	$91,326
#12 Minnesota	4% higher than average	$102,317
#13 Alabama	13% higher than average	$91,166
#14 California	26% higher than average	$131,719
#15 Colorado	3% higher than average	$107,901
#16 Wisconsin	7% higher than average	$96,478
#17 Florida	6% higher than average	$96,327
#18 Tennessee	14% higher than average	$87,783
#19 Missouri	16% higher than average	$85,687
#20 South Carolina	8% higher than average	$93,337
#21 Pennsylvania	5% higher than average	$95,760
#22 Utah	4% higher than average	$96,262
#23 Iowa	9% higher than average	$90,634
#24 New Jersey	13% higher than average	$112,436
#25 Maryland	18% higher than average	$116,998
#26 New Mexico	7% higher than average	$92,235
#27 Arizona	5% higher than average	$94,208
#28 Idaho	7% higher than average	$90,249
#29 Oklahoma	13% higher than average	$83,217
#30 Kentucky	14% higher than average	$82,215
#31 Mississippi	18% higher than average	$78,095
#32 West Virginia	11% higher than average	$84,373
#33 Oregon	11% higher than average	$104,543
#34 Massachusetts	24% higher than average	$115,589
#35 Indiana	11% higher than average	$82,998
#36 Kansas	9% higher than average	$84,936
#37 Nebraska	6% higher than average	$85,952
#38 Nevada	5% higher than average	$94,365
#39 Wyoming	2% higher than average	$87,693
#40 Connecticut	18% higher than average	$105,170
#41 Rhode Island	20% higher than average	$106,437
#42 New Hampshire	13% higher than average	$99,690
#43 South Dakota	7% higher than average	$81,749
#44 Arkansas	16% higher than average	$72,824
#45 Louisiana	9% higher than average	$76,358
#46 Alaska	23% higher than average	$99,389
#47 North Dakota	average	$80,516
#48 Maine	9% higher than average	$86,599
#49 Montana	3% higher than average	$75,835
#50 District of Columbia	49% higher than average	$116,762
#51 Vermont	13% higher than average	$87,908
#52 Hawaii	40% higher than average	$100,658

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$134,192
Computer and Information Research Scientists	$126,122
Database Architects	$120,910
Software Developers	$106,816
Information Security Analysts	$102,130
Data Scientists	$91,799
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	$88,489
Computer Programmers	$88,133
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$85,390
Computer Occupations, All Other	$79,886

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Not sure if an online associate’s degree in computer science is for you? Check out our rankings of the best online associate’s degrees in human resources, political science, or information technology.

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs

Top 10 Online Associate in Computer Science

Key Takeaways

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Computer Science Associate Degrees

What do you learn while getting an online associate in computer science?

How long does it take to get an associate in computer science online?

What can you do with an online associate in computer science?

Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Southern New Hampshire University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Blinn College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Anne Arundel Community College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Montgomery College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Rogers State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at City College of San Francisco

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Cochise College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Northern Virginia Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Palomar College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Albany State University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Central Texas College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Jamestown Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Community College of Baltimore County

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at College of Southern Idaho

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Park University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Tidewater Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Somerset Community College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Finger Lakes Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Thomas Edison State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Trinity Valley Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Kishwaukee College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Sussex County Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Des Moines Area Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Grand Rapids Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Murray State College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Western Nebraska Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Paradise Valley Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Ocean County College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Bucks County Community College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Metropolitan Community College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Students with Computer Science Degree

Computer Science