Why This Matters
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AI POSITIONS ARE GROWING RAPIDLY
The World Economic Forum projects that the number of positions for artificial intelligence and machine learning specialists will jump 40% by 2027.
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377,500 JOB OPENINGS EACH YEAR FROM 2022 TO 2032
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the computer and information technology field to grow much faster than average over the next decade.
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EARN A SIX-FIGURE SALARY
The BLS also reports that the average salary for computer and information technology workers is $100,530 — this is more than double the average wage for all occupations ($46,310).
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in computer science degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online associate in computer science degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
- 70 hours to write this article
- 60 universities and colleges we assessed
- 105 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
An associate in computer science offers a broad background in a variety of computing-related subjects. Similar degrees include business and information systems, which covers more business-focused areas of computing, and data science, which focuses on analytics, statistics, and big data.
There is no single accrediting body for computer science degrees; however, you should look for programs that have been approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. This organization has particularly high standards for computer science education and only recommends the best options available.
Associate degree holders in computer science have the option of working in junior development roles, tech support roles, or database administration. Work experience is vital to career progression.
There are no mandatory computer science certifications or licenses. Many learners choose to pursue Cisco, Microsoft, or CompTIA certifications to improve their career prospects after graduation.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in computer science programs:
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most associate degrees take two years to complete. However, some universities allow students to study at their own pace, allowing those with some work experience in the field to complete their degree more quickly and others to spread their studies over a longer period.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Most online computer science programs are delivered asynchronously. Some courses may ask students to be available for webinars or take part in group debates on a fixed schedule.
When searching for online computer science programs, pay attention to course start dates and application deadlines. Many online, asynchronous programs offer open enrollment so students can start their studies immediately.
If funding your studies is a concern, submit a financial aid application as soon as possible and search for information about scholarships.