Best Online Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs

BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
By James Barham and Dr. Winston Ewert
Published:
Updated:

Find top-ranked online master’s in computer science degree programs for students looking to qualify to work as cybersecurity specialists, software developers, and data scientists.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Online Computer Science Master’s Degrees

Those looking to improve their opportunities for advancement and earning power in the technology field can earn a master’s of computer science.

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Whether on campus or online, students can expect to take classes like the theory of computation and advanced algorithms, as well as topics like virtual reality, operating systems, and cluster computing.

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Most programs take about two years to complete, and some universities offer accelerated degrees.

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Required credits from 30 to 45 hours, and many programs offer either a thesis or a graduate-level capstone path.

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Graduate students can also apply for assistantships where they can garner experience and receive hands-on education. Graduates will qualify to work as cybersecurity specialists, software developers, and data scientists.

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Learn more about what you can do with a master’s in computer science.

Best Online Master's in Computer Science Degree Programs
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Median Salaries of Similar Careers in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of similar occupations to Information Security Analysts in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Annual Salary
57650Computer User Support Specialists
71350Computer Network Support Specialists
102210Computer Systems Analysts
113270Information Security Analysts
142650Computer and Information Research Scientists

Best Online Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs

  1. #1

    University of Southern California

    Los Angeles , CA
    #13 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #16 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #18 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #2 Best Private Colleges in California 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    38K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    Online Degrees

    MS in Computer Science

    Concentrations

    • Computer Security
    • Data Science
    • Scientists and Engineers
    • Software Engineering
    • Required Credits: 32
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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  4. #4

    Syracuse University

    Syracuse , NY
    #1 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2023 #7 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #25 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #5 Best Colleges in New York 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    59%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    22K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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  7. #6

    Arizona State University

    Tempe , AZ
    #2 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2023 #2 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2023 #22 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2023 #22 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    73K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1210/24

    Online Degrees

    MS in Computer Science

    Concentrations

    • Big Data Systems
    • Cybersecurity
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  10. #9

    University of Louisville

    Louisville , KY
    #2 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2023 #2 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2023 #2 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/24

    Online Degrees

    MS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  15. #13

    Old Dominion University

    Norfolk , VA
    #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia 2023 #6 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2023 #6 Best Public Colleges in Virginia 2023 #6 Best Research Universities in Virginia 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/21

    Online Degrees

    MS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 31-34
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  16. #14

    Texas Tech University

    Lubbock , TX
    #4 Best Public Colleges in Texas 2023 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Texas 2023 #7 Best Research Universities in Texas 2023 #7 Best Grad Schools In Texas 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    36K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1155/24

    Online Degrees

    MS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 31
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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  26. #22

    Nova Southeastern University

    Fort Lauderdale , FL
    #3 Best Private Colleges in Florida 2023 #10 Best Research Universities in Florida 2023 #10 Best Colleges in Florida 2023 #10 Best Grad Schools in Florida 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/23

    Online Degrees

    MS in Computer Science

    Concentrations

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Computer Systems
    • Data Science
    • Information Assurance and Cybersecurity
    • Real-World Computing
    • Software Engineering
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  29. #25

    University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

    Chattanooga , TN
    #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2023 #6 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2023 #7 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2023 #7 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/23

    Online Degrees

    MS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  31. #26

    Columbus State University

    Columbus , GA
    #20 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2023 #10 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2023 #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia #8 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    970/20

    Online Degrees

    MAT in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 39
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Applied Computer Science

    Concentrations

    • Cybersecurity
    • Modeling and Simulation
    • Software Development
    • Traditional
    • Required Credits: 30-34
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  34. #29

    Troy University

    Troy , AL
    #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Alabama 2023 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2023 #7 Best Public Colleges in Alabama 2023 #8 Best Grad Schools in Alabama 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1020/21

    Online Degrees

    MS in Computer Science

    Concentrations

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Computer Network & Security
    • Software Development
    • Bioinfosmatics
    • Distributed Systems
    • Cybersecurity
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  35. #30

    Eastern Kentucky University

    Richmond , KY
    #17 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2023 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kentucky 2023 #4 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2023 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/22

    Online Degrees

    MS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build 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 is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And 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 or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new 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 institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. 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 which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students 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.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, 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. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

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 resume 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.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will 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 require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, 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 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.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

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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