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Online College Plan is excited to present its ranking for the Top 30 Online Masters Degree Programs in Computer Science. The ranking is designed to help take some of the legwork out of finding a program that works for you.
Technology is absolutely everywhere, and the limits of what technology can do are pushed every day, all around the world. It is going to continue to grow, and computer scientists play a very important role in that growth. USA Today reported that computer science majors increased by 95% in just four years, from 2011 to 2015. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that software engineering employment is projected to grow at a rate of 31% over the next several years, which is significantly faster than the national average; it is among the top ten fastest-growing jobs in the country. Two other career fields in the BLS list of the 20 fastest-growing jobs are also computer science careers. Computer science jobs also have some of the highest starting salaries in the professional world.
Any time a field is booming as much as this one is, it becomes more competitive. For several years now, computer science companies have been placing a higher demand on candidates because of its growth and because of the significant increase in computer science graduates. While you do only need a bachelors in computer science to qualify for many entry-level positions, a masters degree in computer science is going to prove itself to be a worthwhile investment for you to make.

Masters Programs in Computer Science
Computer Science is a very broad field that covers a lot of different topics. That is even truer now because of the way that technology continues to grow. For instance, twenty years ago, only roughly 740 million people used the internet; as of 2019, it is reported that almost five billion people are now using the internet. Some of the different things that a masters in computer science will cover are graphics, network security, operating systems, software engineering, machine learning, several different programming languages, and so much more.
At the masters level, you have more options to personalize your degree plan and make sure that what you’re learning will be directly relevant to the career you aspire to have. Undergraduate study introduces you to all of the key concepts in different areas of computer science. The graduate-level study builds on that with a core curriculum, but you will be able to select a program and often individual courses, that dive deeper into the things you truly want to learn about.
Some examples of potential concentrations you could take as part of a masters program in computer science include:
- Digital Systems Design
- Electrical Engineering
- Information Assurance and Cyber Defense
- Embedded Computer Systems
- Data Analytics
Something that is now available at many colleges and universities is that instead of having a prescribed core curriculum, computer science programs just include competency areas that you have to complete. Instead of taking a specific course, you would have several options within a certain competency area. This allows you to have a more customized experience and one that will help you gain the precise skills you need for your job.
On average, students with a masters degree in computer science earn 30% more than those who have only completed a bachelors degree. Computer science masters degrees have ranked among the top ten best masters degree options according to Forbes for close to a decade running; it is currently number seven. Software engineering and management information systems are both on the list as well.
Earning an Online Masters in Computer Science
It only makes sense that computer science degrees are among the top ten most common degrees available online. The first-ever Master of Science in Computer Science was offered by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1962; the first-ever online degree program was offered as early as 1981, but it is unclear when the first online masters in computer science became available. Even though their history isn’t well-documented, there are now hundreds of online masters programs in computer science from which to choose.
An online program in computer science covers the same material that you would cover in a physical classroom, and the majority of the classes are taught by the same professors. Online classes in a computer science program can be delivered asynchronously or synchronously, with the former being the most popular. Students of these programs rarely have to attend a physical campus, if at all. Instead, you take your classes entirely online, and according to your schedule. You can keep your current job, and you won’t have to move to a different city or state.
The flexibility is one of the most prominent benefits of choosing an online masters in computer science, but it isn’t the only one. The colleges near you may not offer certain courses that you’d like to take in order to advance your career. If you choose to earn your computer science degree online, you can find the program with a curriculum that fits your goals. Because computer science is such a diverse field, taking the right courses matters. These programs may also be more affordable. Many online degree programs offer students in-state tuition rates. Even if this isn’t true of the school you choose, you could still see fewer fees, fewer material costs, and more. You are also still eligible for scholarships and financial aid when you’re a distance learner.
Because there are so many programs for you to choose from, we created this ranking of the Top 30 Online Masters Degrees in Computer Science to help you find the best option for you. All schools were ranked according to the following.
Methodology
When creating our ranking of the best online masters programs in computer science, we started by creating a list of potential schools. In order to be considered, a school had to meet a few qualifying criteria. Schools had to offer at least one online masters-level program in computer science, whether that was entirely online or in a blended delivery format. Only computer science degree programs were considered. Schools also had to be based in the United States, hold proper accreditation, and operate in a non-profit or not-for-profit model. Once we had our list, we scored each school based on the following three factors.
- Freshman Retention Rate (⅓ of the final score)
- Graduation Rate (⅓ of the final score)
- Affordability (⅓ of the final score)
All of the information used to calculate a school’s score was taken from its own website whenever it was available. We also used both the National Center for Education Statistics as well as U.S. News & World Report to collect the information presented in the ranking. All of the cost information we used reflect the average cost of attendance reported by Niche.com.
The maximum possible score that a school could receive was 300 points. The schools were placed in ascending order based on their score. If any two institutions earned the same score, we used the alphabetical ordering of their names to break the tie. Some schools may not appear here that would have otherwise ranked if there was not complete information available or per their own request.
We’d like to note that we’re confident that this clearly-stated methodology is repeatable. No institution is ever awarded any preferential treatment of any kind, for any reason.

This online computer science master’s program has been ranked as the best in the country; it is offered by the Stanford School of Engineering at Stanford University. This is a terminal degree that does not prepare you for further education, instead, it prepares you for higher-level careers in the field of computer science. There are 45 units required for graduation and it takes the average part-time student between three and five years to complete it. There are full-time scheduling options available as well.
Columbia University in the City of New York is often abbreviated as just CU and it offers a fully-online computer science master’s degree. There are a total of 30 credits required to graduate and you can take this program entirely online. This degree program is designed for professionals who want to expand their knowledge and their career prospects at one of the top universities in the country. Most applicants will need to have an undergraduate degree in computer science and you must take the GRE to apply.
Georgia Tech’s College of Computing offers an Online Master of Science in Computer Science degree program. It was the first of its kind because it is offered through the “massive online open course” or MOOC format. Delivery through this format allows students to earn their degree at a fraction of the cost. At present, the estimated total cost is only just around $7,000. This unique opportunity allows you to earn the exact same degree at those who attend Georgia Tech’s physical campus, which is renowned as one of the best computing education opportunities available around the world.
Johns Hopkins University is a highly decorated and prestigious university located in Maryland. U.S. News & World Report honored the university for offering some of the best online computer and information technology graduate degrees for the year 2018. This Master of Science in Computer Science is offered fully-online but you can also choose to take it in a hybrid format if you live near campus and that is something that appeals to you. There are a total of 30 credits required for graduation and you will be expected to select a concentration area; there is no general track.
The Master of Computer Science (Distance Education) program at North Carolina State University is a terminal, professional degree program. This is not appropriate preparation for doctorate-level education; instead, this will prepare you for higher-level careers in the field of computer science. In order to be eligible, you do not have to have an undergraduate degree in computer science, you only have to meet some prerequisite requirements, which makes this a great choice for those of you who want a career change. There are no on-campus requirements, and there is no thesis or final oral exam to graduate from this online computer science program.
Purdue University’s degree that we’ve featured as one of the best computer science degrees in the country is the Master’s Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. This is a fully-online master’s degree that can be completed in a very short amount of time — just three semesters that last five weeks each. There are seven very broad tracks to choose from that make this degree highly individualized, too. Your options are VLSI and Circuit Design, Power and Energy Systems, Microelectronics & Nanotechnology, Fields and Optics, Computer Engineering, Signal & Image Processing, Networking, Communications, and Automatic Control.
The University of Illinois System consists of several universities that all offer classes through the University of Illinois Online platform. This particular degree is provided by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and it is a Master of Computer Science. There are a total of 32 semester hours required for graduation and you can take all of the required classes online without ever having to visit the campus. This is a degree program designed for professionals. You will take courses through the MOOC format but will have support and advisement from the University of Illinois faculty.
The University of Southern California offers one of the best online master’s in computer science through its Viterbi School of Engineering. The curriculum is expertly designed to blend current issues with a deep understanding of fundamental computer science concepts. Concentrations are offered in Computer Security, Data Science, Scientists, and Engineers, or Software Engineering, among others. There are start dates in January, May, and August. You can choose to take your degree at a full-time or part-time pace and could graduate in as little as 18 months.
Northeastern University offers a Master of Science in Computer Science online and on-campus for students who want to broaden their professional horizons in the field of computer science. There are full-time and part-time options and depending on which you choose, you can graduate in two to three years. Northeastern offers a total of eleven concentrations as part of this program; however, it is unclear if all of them are available online in their entirety. In order to apply, you will need to take the GRE, as well as provide three letters of recommendation, transcripts, a resume, and other documents.
Auburn University offers a less traditional degree program; however, it is such a great program that we chose to feature it in this ranking among other more traditional computer science degrees. Auburn offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering. This university is one of less than twenty in the nation to be distinguished as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research, and Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency. The degree program consists of 33 credit hours in total and the only class that is not offered to distance students is Cryptography (MATH 6180), which is an elective.
The Computer Science Master’s Program offered by the Stevens Institute of Technology has a lot to offer. One thing that makes this program stand out is the fact that you do not have to have a background in computer science in order to apply; it is open to all students that have completed at least a bachelor’s degree. Another thing that sets it apart is that you have ten concentrations to choose from that are all offered entirely online. The concentrations available to you include Web Application Development; Visual Computing and Information Extraction; Software Development; Secure Systems; Network and Systems Administration; Modeling, Simulation, and Visualization; Mobile Systems; Machine Learning; Gaming and Simulation and; Cloud Computing Databases.
ASU Online has a strong reputation in the world of distance education and now students can choose to earn their online Master of Computer Science through Arizona State. There are a total of 30 credit hours required to graduate, which equates to ten courses. Each course only lasts seven and a half weeks each. There is a general track as well as a concentration in cybersecurity available. Arizona State’s program stands out because not only can you complete it in just 18 months of full-time study, you also don’t have to take a completely prescribed degree plan like you do with most accelerated options.
The University of South Carolina offers an online Master of Science in Computer Science through its College of Engineering and Computing. This is the first degree program featured among the best online masters in computer science programs that was not designed to be terminal in any regard. This degree requires a thesis and is structured to prepare students to go on to earn a doctorate in computer science. There are a total of 30 credits required for graduation. USC also offers a non-thesis option of this program but it is unclear if that is also offered entirely online.
Marquette University has a master’s in computing degree program that you can take entirely online. There are both part-time and full-time scheduling options available, as well as three specializations. The specializations that you can choose from are a thesis degree option, Big Data, and Data Analytics, as well as Information Assurance and Cyber Defense. Regardless of your choice, you will need to complete a minimum of 30 credits to earn your online degree in computer science from Marquette. U.S. News & World Report ranked this program among the best online graduate programs in computer information technology for the year 2019. It came in eleventh place.
Syracuse University has recently added a Master of Science in Computer Science to its list of available online degrees. There are 30 total credits required to complete the degree, which is slightly less flexible than some of the other programs featured in this ranking but it is still a great program that is bound to be perfect for one of the prospective students reading this. You can complete this degree in as few as fifteen months depending on the pace at which you are able to pursue your studies. Out of all the required credits, twelve of them are your core courses and the remainder are made up of electives.
Colorado State University offers an online Master of Computer Science program that students can complete in just two years of full-time study. There are more flexible part-time options available as well. This program can be completed entirely online without having to visit campus and it consists of a total of 35 required credits. The university allows you to bring up to nine credits with you according to their transfer policy. The only thing that may put some students off from this program is that you must complete a prescribed list of courses rather than having the option to customize your plan of study.
The College of Engineering & Technology at East Carolina University offers an entirely online Master of Science in Computer Science. Students have the option to take the program entirely online or in a blended format if they live near campus and feel that a hybrid approach would benefit them. There are start dates in July, November, and May for students based both in the United States and Internationally. There is a traditional pathway for students who have an academic background in computer science, and this would require just 30 credits in total for completion. If you have not had any academic training in the field of computer science, you can also be admitted to the program through the non-traditional option, which will require 38 total credits for graduation.
The Illinois Institute of Technology offers a Master of Computer Science online that consists of between 30 and 33 credits based on the choices you make when enrolling in the program. There is a thesis option, a non-thesis option, and the coursework-only option that is growing in popularity in the field of computer science because of the benefits it has for professionals in the industry. The general track requires 30 credits and it is the most flexible because you can select your electives from any discipline.
Missouri S&T offers online masters in computer science in a thesis option and non-thesis option that you can complete entirely online. Specializations are offered in Digital Systems Design, Electrical Engineering, Embedded Computer Systems, as well as Systems, Intelligence, and Software Engineering. In order to be eligible to enroll, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an ABET-accredited school. International equivalents are also accepted.
The Master of Science in Computer Science at the New Jersey Institute of Technology is offered through the Ying Wu College of Computing Sciences. This is an advanced degree program that offers specialization tracks in Networking, Database & Data Mining, and Cybersecurity. There are 30 credits in the program and only twelve of them come from prescribed core courses. Those courses you’ll have to take are Data Structures and Algorithms, Operating System Design, Data Management System Design, and Internet and Higher-Layer Protocols.
The University of Idaho offers an online Master of Science in Computer Science that has a thesis and non-thesis option. Regardless of your choice, you will need to complete 30 credits of coursework in order to earn your degree. This program features a multidisciplinary curriculum that combines the foundations of computer science theory with current industry-leading applications. This program offers small classes and individualized attention through mentorship and advising. Even at a distance.
The Master of Science in Computer Science at Clarkson University is open to students that hold a Bachelor of Science in computer science or a related field, as long as you meet the prerequisites. If you don’t have proper prerequisite preparation, instead of a full bridge program, you would only need to take one course before you could start pursuing the full graduate program, and that course in Foundations in Computer Science (CS511). This is a 30-credit program, and of those credits, twenty will come from coursework.
Lewis University offers one of the fastest online masters in computer science that we’ve featured in this ranking. You can complete the entire degree in as little as one year and it is 100% online. There are multiple start dates to choose from throughout the year and multiple concentrations to choose from. The concentrations include Software Engineering, Game and Simulation Programming, Enterprise and Cloud Computing, Digital Forensics, Cyber Security, and Artificial Intelligence. There are 33 credits in total regardless of the concentration that you select.
DePaul University’s College of Computing and Digital Media is home to an online Master of Science in Computer Science program. Students have the option to complete this program entirely online, or with a blend of on-campus classes if that suits their needs more effectively. This program requires significantly more credits than the others featured, with a total of 52 graduate credit hours. The curriculum must be taken according to the plan set out by the university because it is designed to be extremely comprehensive. There are four start dates to choose from per year.
Drexel University was one of the pioneers of online education and they continue to grow their offerings to meet the needs of a shifting job market. The Online Master of Science in Computer Science has been available for several years and was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 15 best online graduate programs in computer information technology. There are multiple start dates throughout the year and this is an entirely asynchronous program for optimum flexibility for the working professional.
The University of Louisville offers a Master of Science in Computer Science online that is designed for professionals. It is a 30-credit program that is available entirely online, and you can also choose to add a graduate certificate that you take concurrently with your masters in computer science if you’d like. The current offerings for graduate certificates include Data Science and Cybersecurity. You can choose a thesis option or complete a capstone project in place of your thesis.
Florida Atlantic University offers an online Master of Science in Computer Science in both a thesis and a non-thesis option. Both require a minimum of 30 credits for completion and can be completed entirely online. Students are expected to have completed all of the prerequisite courses which are clearly outlined on the program website; if you have already earned your bachelor’s degree in computer science, you will have taken these courses. If you haven’t, though, you can complete all of your prerequisites online through Florida Atlantic University in preparation for the degree program.
Similar to the other school we featured in the University of Illinois System, the University of Illinois at Springfield offers its program through the University of Illinois Online Catalog. This degree program is available entirely online and culminates in a Master of Science in Computer Science. There are 32 semester hours required for completion. You will need to complete 28 hours of computer science electives to fulfill the course requirements. That is part of what sets this degree program apart — every aspect of it is completely customizable based on your own aspirations.
Old Dominion University is one of many schools that have established a strong reputation over the years in the realm of online education. The online Master of Science in Computer Science requires between 31 and 34 credits to graduate based on the choices you make in the program. In order to succeed in this program, you will need a strong background in computer science because it paves the way for more advanced study in areas like Computational Foundations, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Networking, High-Performance Computing, Digital Libraries, Data Mining, or Bioinformatics.
Frostburg State University’s online master’s in computer science is a broad program that features a comprehensive curriculum without sacrificing the flexibility of an accelerated online degree. You can choose to study full-time or part-time, complete a thesis or just coursework, and specialize in a Database concentration or take a more general track. All of the classes are entirely asynchronous and you can graduate in as little as one year if you have a computer science undergraduate degree. If not, you can complete two introductory courses (also online) before formally entering the program.





