- 1.Computer Programmers earn a median salary of $99,700 with -10% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Computer Programming programs include Western Governors University, Marist College, Rowan University based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: Western Governors University offers computer programming education at $7,710/year
- 4.50 accredited Computer Programming programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Computer Programming Programs - Top 10 Online
Western Governors University
WGU pioneered competency-based education in computer science, allowing students to accelerate through material at their own pace while earning industry certifications embedded within coursework at no additional cost.
Program Overview
Western Governors University's Computer Science program represents a pioneering approach to competency-based education, offering both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees entirely online. The Bachelor's program holds prestigious ABET accreditation and features an AI-focused curriculum covering artificial intelligence, machine learning, data structures, computer theory, version control, and Linux systems. The Master's program provides three distinct specialization tracks: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (focusing on natural language processing and deep learning), Computing Systems (emphasizing cloud computing, IoT, and network architecture), and Human-Computer Interaction (combining user experience design with hands-on research).
What sets WGU apart is its revolutionary competency-based model where students pay a flat rate per six-month term and can accelerate through coursework as quickly as they master the material. An impressive 62% of bachelor's students complete their degree within 25 months, with some master's students finishing in just six months. The program integrates industry certifications directly into coursework—including Linux Essentials, ITIL Foundation, Java Developer, and AI Optimization Developer certificates—adding immediate resume value without additional cost or time. WGU also offers an innovative accelerated Bachelor's to Master's pathway for students seeking both degrees in compressed timeframes.
Degree Programs
Industry Partners
Admissions
Marist College
Marist offers a unique five-year B.S./M.S. pathway that saves students 9 credits and an entire semester, while housing the New York State Cloud Computing and Analytics Center that provides real-world IT services to growing businesses.
Program Overview
Marist University's Computer Science/Software Development program stands out through its innovative five-year dual degree pathway that allows exceptional students to earn both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in an accelerated timeline. Under the leadership of Dr. Eitel Lauria in the Department of Computing Technology, the program combines rigorous technical training with liberal arts foundation, preparing graduates for leadership roles in technology. The five-year B.S./M.S. program requires only 143 total credits instead of the typical 152, saving students an entire semester while maintaining academic rigor.
What sets Marist's program apart is its two distinct graduate concentrations: Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence. The Cloud Computing concentration emphasizes hands-on experience with networking, security protocols, and cloud computing directly applicable to industry scenarios. The newly developed AI concentration offers deep exploration of machine learning, neural networks, deep learning, and applications in natural language processing and computer vision. Students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities in the $35 million Hancock Center, which houses the Enterprise Computing Research Lab, Security Operations Center, eSports Training rooms, and the New York State Cloud Computing and Analytics Center established with a $3 million state grant.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Enterprise-level computing solutions
Cybersecurity research and operations
Cloud computing services for businesses
Industry Partners
Admissions
Rowan University
The program is uniquely positioned within Rowan's strategic focus on artificial intelligence innovation, offering research opportunities at the intersection of AI, life sciences, engineering, and medicine - a distinctive interdisciplinary approach that sets it apart from traditional computer science programs.
Program Overview
Rowan University's Master of Science in Computer Science program offers a comprehensive 31-credit hour graduate education that blends theoretical foundations with hands-on application across diverse technological fields. Students can choose between thesis and non-thesis tracks, with project-intensive courses providing direct experience in cutting-edge areas like game design, robotics, and computer graphics. The program is uniquely positioned within Rowan's commitment to artificial intelligence innovation, creating opportunities for research at the intersection of AI, life sciences, engineering, and medicine.
The curriculum is structured around five core areas: Algorithms and Theory, Software Design, Cybersecurity, Data Management and Analytics, and Computer Networks. Students must complete at least one course in three of these five areas, ensuring both breadth and depth. The program accommodates both full-time and part-time students, with flexible scheduling that serves working professionals seeking career advancement in education, industry, research, business, and government sectors.
Degree Programs
Admissions
Yale University
Yale Computer Science uniquely balances rigorous technical education with liberal arts flexibility, requiring fewer total courses than peer institutions to encourage double majors and interdisciplinary study, while maintaining strong industry recruitment from both tech companies and Wall Street firms.
Rochester Institute of Technology
RIT pioneered the integration of mandatory cooperative education into computer science education, requiring all students to complete three professional co-op experiences, and operates one of the nation's premier imaging science research centers alongside its computer science program.
Clemson University
Clemson uniquely combines computing education with specialized research in biomedical data science through a joint PhD program with the Medical University of South Carolina, while offering one of the few comprehensive Digital Production Arts programs that bridges technical computer graphics with creative applications.
DePaul University
DePaul's Computer Science program uniquely bridges academic rigor with Chicago's thriving tech ecosystem, where many faculty members serve as active industry professionals and consultants, offering students direct access to thought leaders and change-makers in the field.
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville's Computer Science program uniquely combines six specialized tracks with built-in certificates, hands-on experience through METAL lab internships, and personalized life coaching - creating 'digital citizens' prepared for emerging tech careers with a 98% job placement rate.
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale State is investing $75 million in a brand-new 40,000 square foot Center for Computer Science and Information Technology, fully funded by the state, demonstrating unprecedented commitment to the program's future and positioning it as a flagship technology education hub on Long Island.
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
UC pioneered cooperative education in 1906 and remains one of the few universities requiring co-op experiences, meaning computer programming students graduate with extensive real-world experience and established industry connections.
Best Computer Programming Programs - Compare Top 5 Online
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | N/A | 67.8/100 |
| #2 Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY | Private | $45,330 | 1% | 64.4/100 |
| #3 Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | Public | $11,250 | 97% | 63.9/100 |
| #4 Yale University | New Haven, CT | Private | $64,700 | 96% | 63.9/100 |
| #5 Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | 62.9/100 |
Top 50 Online Programming Degree Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | — | — | 67.8 |
| 2 | Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY | Private | $45,330 | 100% | — | 64.4 |
| 3 | Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | Public | $11,250 | 97% | — | 63.9 |
| 4 | Yale University | New Haven, CT | Private | $64,700 | 96% | — | 63.9 |
| 5 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | — | 62.9 |
| 6 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC | Public | $14,038 | 81% | — | 62.7 |
| 7 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | Private | $43,379 | 86% | — | 61.8 |
| 8 | Maryville University of Saint Louis | Saint Louis, MO | Private | $24,766 | 86% | — | 61.3 |
| 9 | Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY | Public | $7,070 | 79% | — | 57.1 |
| 10 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Cincinnati, OH | Public | $11,228 | 78% | — | 57.1 |
| 11 | University of Michigan-Dearborn | Dearborn, MI | Public | $14,544 | 94% | — | 55.2 |
| 12 | Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | Private | $49,821 | 96% | — | 53.7 |
| 13 | Green River College | Auburn, WA | Public | $4,074 | 99% | — | 53.5 |
| 14 | Capitol Technology University | Laurel, MD | Private | $26,088 | 87% | — | 51.9 |
| 15 | Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | Private | $61,306 | — | — | 51.1 |
| 16 | Southwestern College | Winfield, KS | Private | $38,330 | 96% | — | 50.5 |
| 17 | Lamar University | Beaumont, TX | Public | $6,228 | 99% | — | 50.2 |
| 18 | Maharishi International University | Fairfield, IA | Private | $16,000 | 55% | — | 50.2 |
| 19 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | Public | $5,614 | 92% | — | 49.6 |
| 20 | University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit, MI | Private | $32,300 | — | — | 48.9 |
| 21 | Missouri Valley College | Marshall, MO | Private | $21,300 | 93% | — | 48.5 |
| 22 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT | Public | $8,175 | 72% | — | 47.9 |
| 23 | Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS | Public | $9,964 | — | — | 47 |
| 24 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | Alfred, NY | Public | $7,070 | 90% | — | 46.6 |
| 25 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago, IL | Private | $30,734 | 91% | — | 46.5 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Online Programming Degrees: Comprehensive 2026 Analysis
Online computer programming degrees have evolved dramatically, with 284 accredited programs now offering the same rigorous curriculum as traditional on-campus degrees. Our analysis of IPEDS 2023 data reveals that graduates of top online programming programs achieve comparable career outcomes to their on-campus counterparts, with and 92% employment within six months.
The flexibility of online programming degrees appeals particularly to working professionals and non-traditional students. Programs like Southern New Hampshire University's online CS degree and Arizona State University's online program provide the same accreditation and faculty as their on-campus versions, while offering 24/7 technical support and flexible scheduling options.
Key advantages of online programming degrees include lower total costs (median $15,200/year vs. $18,450 for on-campus), geographic flexibility, and the ability to maintain employment while studying. However, students should carefully evaluate program accreditation, hands-on lab requirements, and career services when selecting an online program. Our comprehensive analysis examines graduation rates, tuition costs, student support services, and career outcomes to help prospective students make informed decisions.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Design and develop applications, systems software, and programming tools using various languages and frameworks.
Web Developer
SOC 15-1254Create and maintain websites and web applications using front-end and back-end technologies.
Computer Programmer
SOC 15-1251Write, test, and maintain code for software applications and operating systems.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Manage and secure databases, ensuring data integrity and optimal performance.
Mobile Application Developer
SOC 15-1252Develop applications for mobile devices using platform-specific programming languages.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1252Bridge development and operations teams, focusing on automation and deployment pipelines.
Best States for Online Programming Degrees
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Arizona
Georgia
North Carolina
Colorado
Financial Aid and Funding Options for Online Programming Degrees
Online programming degree students have access to the same federal financial aid as traditional students, including Pell Grants, federal student loans, and work-study programs. Many employers also offer tuition reimbursement programs for technology-related degrees, recognizing the value of programming skills in the modern workforce.
Several scholarship programs specifically target online learners and programming students. The National Science Foundation funds scholarships for computer science students, while organizations like Girls Who Code and CodePath provide funding and support for underrepresented groups in technology. Many online programs also offer institutional scholarships based on academic merit or financial need.
Students should carefully compare the total cost of online programs, including technology fees, virtual lab access, and required software licenses. While tuition may be lower for online programs, additional technology costs can impact the overall affordability. However, savings on housing, transportation, and campus fees typically result in significantly lower total education costs compared to traditional on-campus programs.
Choose Your Online Programming Degree Based on Your Profile
- You need maximum flexibility and 24/7 support
- You prefer competency-based learning with flexible pacing
- You want ABET accreditation at a reasonable price
- You're balancing work, family, and education commitments
- You want a prestigious university name on your degree
- You value extensive industry partnerships and alumni network
- You can benefit from embedded support services and tutoring
- You're interested in cutting-edge virtual reality programming labs
- You want strong industry connections and real-world projects
- You value comprehensive capstone project experience
- You can benefit from Northeast corridor job market access
- You're willing to pay premium tuition for career outcomes
- Affordability is your primary concern (under $13K/year)
- You prefer project-based learning over theoretical approaches
- You're targeting the Atlanta tech job market
- You're a career changer looking for practical programming skills
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Programming Degrees
Based on 284 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.