Best Online Master’s in Computer Science Degrees
Computer science was one of the first online degrees available to students, and today the offerings have expanded to include an impressive number of colleges and universities. How does an aspiring student determine which school is the best fit? One of the ways to narrow down the field is to look at reputable rankings that take into account the finer points of online computer science master’s degrees.
Check out our rankings of the Best Online Master’s in Computer Science Degrees for 2017.
| Rank | University Name | Score | Net Price | Financial aid percent | Online Programs Aavailable | Student-Teacher Ratio | Grad Rate | University Information | Credit for Experience | Placement Services | Counseling Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nova Southeastern University | Score99.79 | Net Price |
Financial aid %94% |
#Online programs8 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate42% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesNo | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 2 | Harvard University | Score99.52 | Net Price |
Financial aid %56% |
#Online programs3 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate97% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 3 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Score99.01 | Net Price |
Financial aid %100% |
#Online programs5 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate68% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 4 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | Score98.55 | Net Price |
Financial aid %73% |
#Online programs4 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate62% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 5 | Columbia University in the City of New York | Score98.06 | Net Price |
Financial aid %46% |
#Online programs4 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate95% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 6 | DePaul University | Score97.97 | Net Price |
Financial aid %94% |
#Online programs6 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate68% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 7 | University of Michigan-Dearborn | Score97.76 | Net Price |
Financial aid %71% |
#Online programs5 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate52% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 8 | Iowa State University | Score97.11 | Net Price |
Financial aid %75% |
#Online programs3 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate71% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 9 | University of Illinois at Springfield | Score97.08 | Net Price |
Financial aid %93% |
#Online programs2 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate47% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 10 | Stanford University | Score96.98 | Net Price |
Financial aid %51% |
#Online programs2 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate95% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 11 | Capitol College | Score96.95 | Net Price |
Financial aid %92% |
#Online programs5 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate29% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 12 | University of Detroit Mercy | Score96.83 | Net Price |
Financial aid %98% |
#Online programs3 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate57% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 13 | University of Idaho | Score96.49 | Net Price |
Financial aid %78% |
#Online programs2 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate56% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 14 | North Carolina Central University | Score96.48 | Net Price |
Financial aid %81% |
#Online programs2 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate43% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 15 | Clarkson University | Score96.27 | Net Price |
Financial aid %99% |
#Online programs3 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate70% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 16 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | Score96.26 | Net Price |
Financial aid %46% |
#Online programs4 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate54% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 17 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Score96.16 | Net Price |
Financial aid %50% |
#Online programs3 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate71% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 18 | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Score96.14 | Net Price |
Financial aid %81% |
#Online programs2 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate65% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 19 | Purdue University-Main Campus | Score96.10 | Net Price |
Financial aid %47% |
#Online programs3 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate70% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 20 | Mississippi State University | Score95.77 | Net Price |
Financial aid %68% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate58% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 21 | Johns Hopkins University | Score95.72 | Net Price |
Financial aid %48% |
#Online programs3 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate92% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 22 | Michigan Technological University | Score95.61 | Net Price |
Financial aid %94% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate66% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 23 | Arizona State University-Tempe | Score95.47 | Net Price |
Financial aid %86% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate58% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 24 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Score95.25 | Net Price |
Financial aid %82% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate35% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 25 | East Carolina University | Score95.18 | Net Price |
Financial aid %50% |
#Online programs3 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate58% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 26 | University of South Florida-Main Campus | Score94.99 | Net Price |
Financial aid %73% |
#Online programs2 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate57% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 27 | Lewis University | Score94.98 | Net Price |
Financial aid %99% |
#Online programs2 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate59% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 28 | Dakota State University | Score94.96 | Net Price |
Financial aid %58% |
#Online programs3 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate42% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 29 | University of Bridgeport | Score94.68 | Net Price |
Financial aid %95% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate32% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 30 | University of Arizona | Score94.63 | Net Price |
Financial aid %77% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate61% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 31 | Case Western Reserve University | Score94.60 | Net Price |
Financial aid %84% |
#Online programs2 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate78% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 32 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | Score94.53 | Net Price |
Financial aid %66% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate47% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 33 | Davenport University | Score94.52 | Net Price |
Financial aid %89% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate40% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 34 | University of Maine | Score94.51 | Net Price |
Financial aid %78% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate59% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 35 | Fontbonne University | Score94.49 | Net Price |
Financial aid %94% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate34% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 36 | University of Memphis | Score94.48 | Net Price |
Financial aid %40% |
#Online programs2 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate40% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 37 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Score94.46 | Net Price |
Financial aid %50% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate19% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 38 | Kansas State University | Score94.30 | Net Price |
Financial aid %65% |
#Online programs2 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate58% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 39 | Concordia University-Wisconsin | Score94.28 | Net Price |
Financial aid %98% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate59% | Credit for ExperienceYes | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 40 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Score94.19 | Net Price |
Financial aid %29% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate93% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 41 | La Salle University | Score94.18 | Net Price |
Financial aid %94% |
#Online programs2 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate68% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 42 | University of Houston-Victoria | Score94.13 | Net Price |
Financial aid %92% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad RateN/A | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 43 | Northern Arizona University | Score94.07 | Net Price |
Financial aid %66% |
#Online programs1 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate49% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 44 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Score94.04 | Net Price |
Financial aid %32% |
#Online programs3 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate79% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
| 45 | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Score93.92 | Net Price |
Financial aid %48% |
#Online programs2 |
Student-Teacher Ratio
|
Grad Rate63% | Credit for ExperienceNo | Placement ServicesYes | Counseling ServicesYes | Read More Read Less |
Online Master’s in Computer Science Timeline
Getting in: The Application Process
The best online master’s in computer science programs are highly competitive, which means an application must truly stand out in order for a student to gain acceptance. By understanding what is required from the beginning, students can plan their application process appropriately and give themselves enough time to complete all the steps. Here’s what most programs examine:
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GRE scores.
All students bound for grad school must take the Graduate Record Examination. The good news is that it can be taken more than once, so it is possible to improve scores. Computer science master’s programs may place more importance on analytical writing and quantitative reasoning scores – but students should strive for high marks in all three sections.
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Undergraduate performance.
Most schools require a student to already hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related field, such as math, physics or engineering. The minimum accepted GPA is typically a 3.0, but students applying to competitive programs should aim for at least a 3.5 average. High grades are particularly important in foundational undergrad CS courses that the master’s degree builds on.
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Statement or personal essay.
The admissions essay or statement should explain the applicant’s primary reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in computer science, any specific research goals, and past academic and professional experience in the field. Those without a background in computer science should spend extra time here to convince the school why they’d be a good fit.
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Resume.
Some graduate programs in computer science require that the applicant have at least a few years of practical work experience in the field. A strong resume will showcase this and other accomplishments. Applicants should include all computer language proficiencies and, if they have one, a link to their GitHub profile.
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Letters of recommendation.
Glowing letters from former professors, colleagues, experts in the field and others can be a great way to bolster an already impressive application. While general praise is appreciated, the most effective letters of recommendations will highlight specific accomplishments – a well-received mobile app project for example.
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Interview.
As the field narrows, colleges interview the most promising candidates. Interviews can be done in person or via video chat for those who don’t live near the physical campus. Some schools may want to discuss prior computer programming projects and review an applicant’s code on GitHub during the interview.
Year 1
The first year is dedicated to setting the stage for graduation requirements by completing core CS courses. Topics covered typically include programming languages, algorithms, compilers, and computer networks. In addition to core courses, some students will be able to take courses in their chosen specialization, such as machine learning. Near the end of this year, students will meet with their advisors to discuss steps toward graduation.
Year 2
This year features courses that delve deeper into the student’s chosen computer science concentration as well as courses that prepare students for other degree requirements, such as a master’s thesis or capstone. For instance, many students will take a capstone seminar or research methods class to learn what to expect for their final project. These projects span topics ranging from computer Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping to web analytics to computational neuroscience.
Testing & Graduation Requirements
Now that the courses are done, what’s next? Graduation requirements go beyond courses and focus on ensuring the student has learned the proper skills and knowledge to have a great career in computer science. Most graduate schools choose from the following when putting together the graduation requirements for the online computer science master’s program:
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Capstone project.
This project, which should be closely related to the concentration of the major, requires unique ideas and a great deal of research – with the goal of solving a specific problem within the computer science field.
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Internship.
This provides real-world experience in a position related to the concentration. An internship might be set up through the college, or students might have to find one on their own. Internship opportunities in computer science may include work in game design, data analytics, web development and other areas.
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Master’s thesis.
The thesis wraps up the master’s pursuit with a report or presentation that includes original research and theories.
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Comprehensive exam.
This examination tests the knowledge and skills that should have been gained during the computer science master’s program. Studying for this exam should begin well in advance.
Career & Salary Possibilities with a Master’s in Computer Science
The online master’s computer science program broadens the horizons of anyone working in the world of computers and technology. In fact, there are numerous jobs available to those who have a master’s degree and the right kind of experience. Here are some of the most popular concentrations in computer science and the careers that welcome those with the master’s degree.
ConcentrationsDatabase Systems
This concentration prepares students to understand and analyze the massive data streams going in and out of organizations and businesses, mine that data for usable information, and keep it secure.
Works with businesses, organizations and even governments to put together a computer network that serves the needs of everyone, from a few people in an office to a massive global system.
Works to keep data safe, clean and backed up on the appropriate systems.
Looks at what a business needs and wants, both now and in the future, and chooses the technology accordingly – then installs, tests, implements and upgrades it as needed.
Software Engineering
Without the software to make it do what it should, a computer is just an oversized paperweight. This concentration prepares students to create software with courses in program design, coding methodologies, programming languages and algorithm analysis.
Designs and develops software for a variety of purposes, tests it out, then maintains and updates the software as new technology emerges.
Tests, repairs and maintains hardware, and helps workers with their software issues.
Writes code for software, updates and debugs software programs, and assists consumers in understanding software issues.
Informatics
This concentration focuses on using technology to solve problems and comes in especially handy in the world of big data and medical records. Students will benefit from courses in security, web and network design, software testing and other relevant topics.
Designs and develops software for a variety of purposes, tests it out, then maintains and updates the software as new technology emerges.
Works to keep data safe, clean and backed up on the appropriate systems.
Looks at what a business needs and wants, both now and in the future, and chooses the technology accordingly – then installs, tests, implements and upgrades it as needed.
Game Development
Video games are not just about fun anymore; today’s new games have found their way into education, medicine and other fields. Students can learn about everything from game structure to modeling and simulations to infusing human emotion into a video game.
Designs and develops software for a variety of purposes, tests it out, then maintains and updates the software as new technology emerges.
Writes code for software, updates and debugs software programs, and assists consumers in understanding software issues.
Computer Security
As more personal information is stored on computers and in the cloud, security becomes more important than ever. The computer security concentration covers everything from data communications to artificial intelligence.
Tries to break into major business and government systems to expose security weaknesses, then explains how to close those security holes.
Protects networks from security breaches by monitoring networks, investigating breaches and installing the proper software to combat them.
Tracks down evidence modern criminals leave behind on computers.
Students who complete an online computer science master’s program often do so for the job advancement opportunities and potential pay increase that come along with the higher degree. But just how high is that salary potential? PayScale.com users with a bachelor’s in computer science earned between $45,643 and $106,120, while those with a master’s in computer science earned between $81,810 and $117,386. Moreover, the majority of these master’s degree holders said they were “extremely satisfied” with their jobs, while those holding a bachelor’s degree were only “highly satisfied.” It’s easy to see why computer scientists are so satisfied, given the positive growth numbers and salary statistics like the ones below for systems software developers:
Additional Resources & Links
Computer buffs looking for a group of like-minded individuals can find them at the following links, which are full of resources for their members, whether they are professionals or students:
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Association for Information Science and Technology
Professionals can go here to find articles and publications, news, events and targeted groups.
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Association for Women in Computing
This site offers professional networking, mentoring, continuing education and other resources for women in computer science.
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Computer Science Teachers Association
Those who might eventually want to teach can find information here about grants, advocacy and outreach, networking and other membership perks.
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Computing Research Association
This site has sections for researchers and students, as well as information on upcoming events, government affairs and computing jobs.
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Global Information Assurance Certification
Ethical hackers can find information here about certifications, examination requirements and other pertinent information.
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International Association of Computer Science and Information Technology
The association’s website includes information on further education, conferences and societies.
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International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners
Designed for those in forensics, this site offers certification, training, proficiency testing, awards and other resources.