Why This Matters
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BLOCKCHAIN AND AI POSITIONS ARE GROWING YEAR ON YEAR
Interest in some areas of computer science is growing rapidly. Blockchain positions increased by 370% in 2018, and AI positions increased by 149% in the same time period.
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THE US NEEDS 531,200 MORE COMPUTER SCIENCE SPECIALISTS BY 2029
By 2029, the United States is projected to see the creation of 531,200 new computer and information technology-related jobs. This includes database administrators, information security analysts, and computer programmers.
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EARN $77,200 AS A WEB DEVELOPER OR DESIGNER WITH AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE
Study computer science and boost your earnings. Web developers with an associate degree earn a median salary of $77,200.
Our Research
This list includes associate degrees in computer science and information technology. The technical nature of most computing degrees means that most of these courses lead to either an Associate of Science or Applied Science degree. Some courses offer a rounded liberal arts education and lead to an Associate of Arts qualification. We focused on courses with online delivery, but some institutions offer hybrid learning options.
Many of these courses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission or a regional body such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This accreditation means the quality of the course has been verified, and the student will find it easy to transfer credits should they wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
- 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 of Science 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, the Council for Higher Education Association and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology both offer accreditation for computing-related degrees. This accreditation gives undergraduates confidence that their qualifications will be recognized should they choose to transfer to another university for a bachelor’s degree.
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.