In today’s technological world, people rely on their computers more and more to get by. They socialize on their cellphones, work on their laptops, play games on their tablets and read on their Kindles.
Computer scientists come up with new computing technology and discover new uses for technology that already exists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for computer and information research scientists is going to grow 16% between 2018 and 2028. This is much faster than the growth in other industries.
Those who earn a master’s degree in computer science have a median pay of just over $122,000 per year, or about $59 per hour, working in a full-time position.
If you want to be part of an in demand industry, earning a bachelor’s in computer science online may help you get on the right path. Completing your coursework online may give you time to work at your current job and have the flexibility to take classes on your own schedule.
Just a few years later you may come out with a degree that helps set you up for success for the rest of your professional life. This guide features information on bachelor’s degrees in computer science, including admissions requirements and specializations.
How to Choose the Best Online Computer Science Bachelor Degree for You
When looking at earning a bachelor’s in computer science online, there are different things to consider. They may include:
- Course schedule: Does the course schedule fit into your already busy life? Will you still be able to fulfill your work and home duties while taking these classes?
- Prerequisites: Do you have the required prerequisites? If not, do you have to spend time and money to take them?
- Cost: Can you afford a bachelor’s in computer science online? Do you need financial aid? If so, can your school provide it?
- Grades, academic record and test scores: Do you have the required GPA, grades and test scores to get into the school?
- The school’s track record: Do the school’s graduates get great jobs upon graduation? Are there internship opportunities?
- School reviews: What have alumni and current students said about the school?
- Teachers: Do the teachers have respectable degrees and resumes?
- Student body: Will you be able to collaborate with other students? Are there people your age and in your situation, who go there?
Once you answer some of these questions, try applying to programs. Remember that just because a school has excellent marketing doesn’t mean that it’s the right place for you. You’ll be spending a good amount of time and money to earn your degree, so researching degrees for bachelor’s in computer science online may be useful.
List of Online Bachelors in Computer Science Programs
Ready to look into a bachelor’s in computer science online? There are a number of programs out there. Online-only universities will offer some, while universities with physical locations can also provide you with your degree. The following are great options you’ll find online.
| University | Degree | Specializations | Coursework |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida | Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science |
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| University of Colorado Boulder | Bachelor’s in Applied Computer Science |
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| DePaul University | BS in Computer Science |
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| Florida International University | BS in Computer Science |
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What Are the Admissions Requirements for an Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science?
When looking into a bachelor’s in computer science online, you’ll find that there are certain admissions requirements in order to qualify. Common requirements may include:
- A high school diploma or GED: Whether you went to a traditional high school or you were homeschooled, you need to be able to show that you received a high school diploma or GED.
- A minimum GPA: Online schools may be interested in a minimum GPA in order to grant you admission. Some schools may ask for at least a 3.0, but lower GPAs may be accepted depending on the program’s requirements.
- ACT or SAT scores: Schools usually want to see a minimum score on either of these tests, and schools will sometimes advertise the average score online.
Additionally, some programs may ask that you complete prerequisites or show that you have volunteer or work experience in the computer science field. However, this is not as common, and there may be a workaround in case you don’t meet these requirements.
What Is the Curriculum for an Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science?
To earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science online, you’ll typically need to complete 120 credits. Your courses will be in computers, mathematics, physical sciences and English.
The curriculum for a bachelor’s in computer science online will likely include:
- Algorithms: What they Are and How they Work
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- Calculus for Physical Scientists
- Computer Architecture
- The Theory of Computer Science
- Data Management and Logic
- Object-Oriented Design
- Systems Security
- Web Design
- Parallel Programming
- Files and Databases
- Information Management
- Introduction to Big Data
- Machine Language
- Computer Networks and the Internet
- Operating Systems
- Programming Languages
- Statistics
This is just a sampling. Your individual program may have different offerings. Since computer science is typically a general major, you may choose to delve into different, related topics and graduate with a more specialized degree.
Some specializations include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Software Engineering
- Game Design
- Computer Graphics
- Networks
- Data Science
- Information Security
- Programming Languages
- Theory
It all depends on what area appeals to you and where you see yourself excelling. For example, if you want to build the backend of web pages, then you may want to learn programming languages like Python, HTML, JavaScript and Ruby. If you are more interested in the visual design of websites, you could become a game designer, UX designer or computer graphics designer.
If you want to help businesses collect information to deliver an improved customer experience, then studying data science is useful. If you want to safeguard organizations against hackers and protect servers and websites, try seeking out a specialization in information security.
You may end up getting a general online bachelor’s degree in computer science and then taking additional graduate courses, or snagging an internship or job in your specialty. Either way, you don’t have to know what you want to do with your degree before starting classes. You can learn what you like as you go along.
Is a Computer Science Degree Worth It?
The industry is growing, the number of jobs you can do with your degree and the wages are higher than average. Even if you don’t go for your master’s, you may still earn at least $70,000 in occupations that require a bachelor’s degree in computer-related fields. That’s far above the median wage for the average worker in the U.S., which is $49,764 per year.
With a degree in computer science, you may gain more access to opportunities to work from anywhere—such as tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Austin, Seattle, Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago.
And, if you’re the entrepreneurial type, a bachelor’s in computer science online may give you some of the valuable skills to start a tech company on your own.
Getting Started with Your Bachelor’s in Computer Science Online
Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to find the best program to fit your needs. To launch your career in computer science now, visit our Master’s in Computer Science page.
Last updated: August 2020