An associate in computer science degree offers a versatile and in-demand credential, and online programs are perfect for those balancing their studies with a full-time job or raising a family. This degree can qualify you for jobs such as computer support specialist (median salary of $60,810) or web developer ($92,750). Demand for these roles is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Indeed, investing in this degree equips you with valuable tech skills, providing career stability in a thriving industry.
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How we rank schools
Our list features the best online 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 institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
Best 45 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
Lake Superior State University
Intelligent Score: 98.75In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 920-1150
ACT: 19-26
$582
Online
Higher Learning Commission
62
Lincoln Land Community College
Intelligent Score: 97.7In-state: $20,817
Out-of-state: $24,045
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 480 or higher
ACT: 21 or higher
Lincoln Land Community College’s Associate of Arts in Computer Science program benefits from the school’s expertise in cybersecurity, computer systems, and CISCO network administration. As a student in the computer science program, you get a hands-on, career-oriented education that prepares you for the job you want. You also have the option to connect with computer science peers socially through the Computer Science Academy. This degree program — requiring approximately 60 credits — consists of an even ratio of general education courses to computer science foundation courses. In addition to programming, mathematics, and computer science, you will take holistic classes like Understanding Technology Today.
In-District: $137 Out-of-District: $274
Out-of-State: $411
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60-67
Seminole State College of Florida
Intelligent Score: 97.57In-state: $14,199
Out-of-state: $22,524
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 480 or higher
ACT: 21 or above
Seminole State College of Florida’s Computer Science Pathway Associate in Arts program is affordable, flexible, and offered in a hybrid format so you can choose whether to study in person at a Seminole State campus in Florida or online anywhere in the world. Upon completing your associate degree, you can choose to stay at Seminole to pursue a bachelor’s degree or receive guaranteed transfer admission to one of Florida’s other state universities. All of Seminole State’s campuses boast strong, diverse student organizations and events that new students can participate in, many of which are accessible online. If you’re looking to expand your engagement beyond the (virtual) classroom, Seminole State’s program could be a good fit.
Resident: $79
Non-Resident: $315
Online, On-Campus
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60
Weber State University
Intelligent Score: 96.6In-state: $5,090
Out-of-state: $15,272
In-state: $7,935
Out-of-state: $7,935
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
Weber State University’s Associate of Applied Science in Computer Science program offers a computer science–heavy curriculum, with major courses accounting for at least 40 of the required 63 credit hours. This makes Weber’s program a good fit if you are serious about computer science and do not wish to devote a significant portion of your program credits to general education requirements. Some unique computer science courses on offer include Client Side Web Development, Computer Architecture/Organization, and Object-Oriented Programming. The program also requires you to pass an Information Literacy Competency Exam. Students and graduates benefit from Weber State University’s strong alumni network
$291
Online
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
63
Montgomery County Community College
Intelligent Score: 95.71In-state: $27,306
Out-of-state: $32,046
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
Like the Montgomery College program, the Montgomery County Community College Computer Science associate degree program prepares you to transfer to a four-year university to complete your degree in computer science. If you successfully complete the program, you can transfer seamlessly to schools in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). In addition to general education requirements, you will take major courses in computer science foundations, database management systems, discrete mathematics, statistics and probability, and calculus. This program is relatively affordable, especially if you qualify for in-district or in-state tuition. The community college also offers a wide array of scholarships to help make the investment more manageable.
$148
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
61
Sheridan College
Intelligent Score: 94.01In-state: $19,695
Out-of-state: $25,995
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 510or higher
ACT: 18 or higher
Resident: $161 - $214
Non-Resident: $371
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60
Cowley College
Intelligent Score: 93.02In-state: $16,500
Out-of-state: $18,000
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 730
ACT: 31
$250
Online
Higher Learning Commission
62
Montgomery College
Intelligent Score: 92.38In-state: $32,142
Out-of-state: $35,922
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 500 or higher
ACT: N/A
Montgomery College’s Associate of Arts in Computer Science and Technologies, Computer Science Area of Concentration program is recognized by The Best Schools as offering one of the best online computer science associate degree programs. As a Montgomery online student, you benefit from first-rate program advising and the opportunity to transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Most courses in this field have assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites that must be completed. Most credit hours in this associate degree are dedicated to general education requirements, so this program is best suited to students who want to lay a strong liberal arts foundation before transferring to a four-year university.
Resident: $201 - $341
Non-Resident: $468
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
60
Ocean County College
Intelligent Score: 91.92In-state: $34,659
Out-of-state: $36,969
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
County Resident: $180 Out-of-County Resident: $198
Out-of-State: $270
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
60
North Hennepin Community College
Intelligent Score: 90.62In-state: $20,114
Out-of-state: $20,114
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$200
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60
Laurel Ridge Community College
Intelligent Score: 90.46In-state: $19,769
Out-of-state: $25,772
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 500 or higher
ACT: 18-22
Resident: $154
Non-Resident: $331
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60-63
George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville
Intelligent Score: 89.1In-state: $20,540
Out-of-state: $24,290
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$125
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
67
Southern New Hampshire University
Intelligent Score: 87In-state: $9,600
Out-of-state: $9,600
In-state: $18,810
Out-of-state: $18,810
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$320
Online
New England Commission of Higher Education, Inc
60
West LA College
Intelligent Score: 86.27In-state: $25,034
Out-of-state: $33,666
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
Resident: $46
Non-Resident: $342
Online
Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
60
St. Petersburg College
Intelligent Score: 86.24In-state: $19,485
Out-of-state: $26,089
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
Resident: $122
Non-Resident: $425
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60
Park University
Intelligent Score: 84.87In-state: $8,251
Out-of-state: $8,251
In-state: $6,224
Out-of-state: $6,224
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$550
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60
Wake Tech Community College
Intelligent Score: 84.74In-state: $22,360
Out-of-state: $28,504
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 480 or higher
ACT: 18 or higher
Resident: $76
Non-Resident: $228
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
68
Central Community College
Intelligent Score: 83.56In-state: $14,710
Out-of-state: $16,120
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
Resident: $96
Non-Resident: $144
Online
Higher Learning Commission
63
What You Should Know About an Online Associate in Computer Science Degree
An associate in computer science offers a broad background in various 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 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 can work 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 pursue Cisco, Microsoft, or CompTIA certifications after graduation to improve their career prospects.
Finding the Right Online Program
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in computer science programs:
- How long does it take to complete this online degree program? Most associate degree programs take two years to complete. However, some universities enable students to study at their own pace, allowing motivated students to earn their degree more quickly and others to spread their studies out over a longer period.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Most online computer science programs are delivered asynchronously. Some courses may require students to attend webinars or participate in group debates on a fixed schedule.
When searching for online computer science programs, consider 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 scholarship information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Associate in Computer Science Programs
What career opportunities are available with an online associate in computer science degree?
An online associate in computer science is a relatively versatile degree. With this degree, you can become a computer support specialist, an ideal role for those who excel in problem-solving and customer service, or a web developer, perfect for creative thinkers with coding skills and an eye for design. Both roles are expected to grow significantly over the next decade and offer salaries well above the national median.
You could also become a database technician, IT support technician, or QA tester. With the necessary knowledge and certifications, these roles provide entry points into tech careers with strong demand and growth potential.
Are online associate in computer science degree programs as credible as on-campus programs?
You’ll likely receive the same high-quality education regardless of whether you learn online or in person. Most of these programs offer identical curricula and classes taught by the same faculty. Additionally, many online programs boost credibility with interactive platforms, virtual labs, and hands-on projects to simulate real-world computer science tasks. These features ensure you’ll receive the same rigorous education as your in-person peers.
Regional accreditation guarantees that the institution meets high academic standards. All of our top picks maintain regional accreditation, so you can be confident that employers and other institutions will recognize your degree.
How long does it take to complete an online associate in computer science degree program?
This degree program takes about two years to complete for full-time students. Part-time learners may take closer to three or four years to complete their studies.
Online programs are highly flexible, accommodating various schedules and learning preferences. Many offer accelerated options for those who can dedicate more time to their coursework, allowing completion in 18 months or less. This adaptability makes online learning an excellent choice for students balancing their education with a full-time job or caretaking responsibilities.
Are there specialization options within online associate in computer science degree programs?
Specialization options within online associate in computer science programs are limited but not unheard of. While specializations are more common at the bachelor’s level, some associate programs offer electives to help you customize your studies to your interests, such as cybersecurity, web development, or data analytics. Regardless, evaluating program curriculums carefully is essential to ensure they align with your goals and provide foundational knowledge in the areas you’re most interested in. This will help you maximize the value of your associate degree.
What is the cost of an online associate in computer science degree?
According to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual tuition for a two-year degree is $3,885. However, this figure can vary widely based on factors such as institution type (public vs. private), residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state), and how long you take to complete the program. Accelerated options may reduce overall costs, while part-time learning could increase them.
Compare School Options
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