- 1.Mobile Developers earn a median salary of $132,270 with 25% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Mobile Development programs include Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue University-Main Campus, Western Governors University based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: Purdue University-Main Campus offers mobile development education at $9,718/year with 83% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Mobile Development programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Mobile Development Programs - Top 10 Online
Carnegie Mellon University
CMU ranks #1 in the nation for mobile/web applications and is the birthplace of artificial intelligence, giving students access to the researchers and labs that invented many foundational technologies powering modern mobile devices.
Program Overview
Carnegie Mellon University does not offer a standalone Mobile Development program, but rather integrates mobile development into several world-class computing programs. The Information Systems program, a joint offering between Heinz College and Dietrich College, provides strong technical foundations including Application Design and Development coursework, while the School of Computer Science ranks #1 nationally in mobile/web applications according to recent rankings. Students can pursue mobile development through the Computer Science program's software systems electives, Human-Computer Interaction specializations, or through the Information Systems program's technology-focused curriculum that emphasizes real-world system solutions.
What sets CMU apart is its pioneering role in computing innovation - the university created the world's first AI program, first machine learning department, and first robotics PhD program. Students have access to cutting-edge research labs like the Human-Computer Interaction Institute and can work with faculty who literally invented many of the technologies powering today's mobile applications. The flexible curriculum allows students to combine mobile development skills with AI, robotics, or cybersecurity through interdisciplinary coursework.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
User interface design, mobile interaction, and accessibility research
Software architecture, mobile security, and development methodologies
Mobile robotics platforms and embedded systems development
Industry Partners
Admissions
Purdue University-Main Campus
Purdue integrates Google Career Certificates directly into its technology degree programs and operates one of the largest networks of university research centers with 135+ institutes, including cutting-edge facilities like the Birck Nanotechnology Center.
Program Overview
Based on the available sources, Purdue University's mobile development capabilities span across multiple technology programs rather than a single dedicated mobile development program. The university offers comprehensive Information Technology programs through both its main campus and Purdue Global, with degrees in Applied Computer Science, Cloud Computing, and Cybersecurity that encompass mobile technologies. Purdue's Information Technology offerings include Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees, with ExcelTrack options for accelerated completion. The programs integrate Google Career Certificates in IT Support, UX Design, and Project Management, providing students with industry-recognized credentials alongside their degrees. Purdue Global specifically targets working adults with 100% online options and frequent start dates, while the main campus provides traditional on-campus experiences with access to world-class research facilities.
Purdue's technology education is enhanced by its extensive research infrastructure, including the Birck Nanotechnology Center and over 135 university-approved institutes and centers focused on emerging technologies. The university's commitment to practical, skills-based learning is evident through partnerships with major technology companies and integration of industry certifications directly into degree pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Nanotechnology research with cleanroom facilities and specialized laboratories for advanced computing
Industry Partners
Admissions
Western Governors University
WGU pioneered competency-based online education in 1997, allowing students to accelerate through coursework by demonstrating mastery rather than seat time, with 98% of employers saying WGU graduates meet or exceed expectations.
Program Overview
Based on the provided sources, Western Governors University does not appear to offer a dedicated Mobile Development program. The university operates through four main schools - Business, Education, Technology, and Health & Nursing - with the School of Technology housing their computer science and software engineering programs. WGU's B.S. Software Engineering program does include mobile application development as one of its core skill areas, alongside scripting and programming, web development, user experience design, and software quality assurance. The program offers two tracks allowing students to specialize in either Java or C# programming languages, both of which are applicable to mobile development. WGU's competency-based education model, established in 1997 by U.S. governors, allows students to progress at their own pace through a flat-rate tuition structure, with some students completing master's degrees in as little as six months.
Degree Programs
Industry Partners
Admissions
Texas A & M University-College Station
Based on the available sources, I cannot verify the existence of a specific Mobile Development program at Texas A&M University-College Station.
Marist College
Marist College maintains a distinctive partnership with IBM through the Marist/IBM Joint Study program, providing students with access to enterprise-level computing resources and real-world industry experience.
Rowan University
Rowan's BA in Computing and Informatics is specifically engineered to produce industry-ready programmers and IT professionals without the theoretical computer science burden, featuring hands-on Advanced Programming Workshops and a semester-long capstone that simulates the complete systems development lifecycle.
University of Houston
University of Houston does not currently offer a dedicated Mobile Development program, though students can access mobile-relevant coursework through highly ranked business and engineering programs.
Southern New Hampshire University
308 mobile development graduates annually
Clemson University
No dedicated Mobile Development program could be identified at Clemson University based on the available source materials.
DePaul University
DePaul's computing programs are uniquely positioned in Chicago's Loop Campus technology district, where many CDM faculty serve as active industry consultants and working professionals, providing students direct connections to Chicago's tech ecosystem.
Best Mobile Development Programs - Compare Top 5 Online
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | 99.9/100 |
| #2 Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | Public | $9,718 | 83% | 78.3/100 |
| #3 Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | N/A | 67.8/100 |
| #4 Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | Public | $9,003 | 84% | 67.7/100 |
| #5 Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY | Private | $45,330 | 1% | 64.8/100 |
Top 25 Online Mobile Development Degree Programs
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | — | 99.9 |
| 2 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | Public | $9,718 | 83% | — | 78.3 |
| 3 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | — | — | 67.8 |
| 4 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | Public | $9,003 | 84% | — | 67.7 |
| 5 | Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY | Private | $45,330 | 100% | — | 64.8 |
| 6 | Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | Public | $11,250 | 97% | — | 63.9 |
| 7 | University of Houston | Houston, TX | Public | $8,685 | 91% | — | 63.8 |
| 8 | Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester, NH | Private | $15,450 | 67% | — | 63.7 |
| 9 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC | Public | $14,038 | 81% | — | 63.1 |
| 10 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | Private | $43,379 | 86% | — | 61.7 |
| 11 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | Private | $58,104 | 94% | — | 58.9 |
| 12 | Rhode Island School of Design | Providence, RI | Private | $58,690 | 89% | — | 57.9 |
| 13 | Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY | Public | $7,070 | 79% | — | 57.1 |
| 14 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Cincinnati, OH | Public | $11,228 | 78% | — | 57.1 |
| 15 | University of Michigan-Dearborn | Dearborn, MI | Public | $14,544 | 94% | — | 55.2 |
| 16 | Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | Private | $49,821 | 96% | — | 53.7 |
| 17 | Green River College | Auburn, WA | Public | $4,074 | 99% | — | 53.5 |
| 18 | Brigham Young University | Provo, UT | Private | $6,496 | 91% | — | 53.2 |
| 19 | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, NC | Public | $4,443 | 79% | — | 52.6 |
| 20 | North Carolina A & T State University | Greensboro, NC | Public | $3,540 | 84% | — | 51.9 |
| 21 | Capitol Technology University | Laurel, MD | Private | $26,088 | 87% | — | 51.9 |
| 22 | Atlantic University | Guaynabo, PR | Private | $6,120 | — | — | 51.4 |
| 23 | Maharishi International University | Fairfield, IA | Private | $16,000 | 55% | — | 50.8 |
| 24 | Southwestern College | Winfield, KS | Private | $38,330 | 96% | — | 50.5 |
| 25 | Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | Public | $7,259 | 92% | — | 50.4 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Career Paths
Mobile App Developer
SOC 15-1252Develops native and cross-platform mobile applications for iOS and Android devices. Creates user interfaces, implements business logic, integrates APIs and databases, and optimizes app performance.
iOS Developer
SOC 15-1252Specializes in developing native iOS applications using Swift and Xcode. Focuses on Apple platform-specific features, App Store optimization, and iOS design guidelines.
Android Developer
SOC 15-1252Creates native Android applications using Kotlin/Java and Android Studio. Implements Material Design principles, optimizes for various Android devices, and publishes to Google Play Store.
React Native Developer
SOC 15-1252Builds cross-platform mobile applications using React Native framework. Develops apps that run on both iOS and Android from a single codebase, reducing development time and costs.
Flutter Developer
SOC 15-1252Creates cross-platform mobile applications using Google's Flutter framework and Dart programming language. Develops high-performance apps with native-like user experiences.
Mobile UX/UI Designer
SOC 15-1255Designs user interfaces and experiences specifically for mobile applications. Creates wireframes, prototypes, and design systems optimized for touch interfaces and mobile contexts.
Mobile Product Manager
SOC 15-1199Manages mobile application product development from concept to launch. Defines product requirements, coordinates development teams, and analyzes user data to guide product decisions.
Mobile App Entrepreneur
SOC 15-1252Develops and launches independent mobile applications for consumer or enterprise markets. Handles all aspects of app development, marketing, monetization, and business operations.
Online Mobile Development Degree Programs Overview
Online mobile development degree programs prepare students for careers in iOS and Android app development through flexible, technology-enhanced learning environments. These programs combine core computer science fundamentals with specialized mobile programming languages like Swift, Kotlin, Java, and React Native. Students learn user interface design, mobile security, database integration, and app store deployment while building comprehensive portfolios of mobile applications.
The mobile app development industry continues rapid expansion with 299,500 mobile developer jobs in the US as of May 2024, growing 19% through 2032. Online programs offer the flexibility needed for working professionals to transition into mobile development careers, with 73% of online mobile development students working full-time while enrolled (NCES Distance Education Survey 2023).
Online mobile development programs typically require 120 credit hours and take 4 years for full-time students or 6-8 years for part-time students. Core coursework includes programming fundamentals, data structures, algorithms, mobile user experience design, and platform-specific development. Many programs offer concentrations in iOS development, Android development, or cross-platform frameworks. For related career information, see our software engineer salary guide and AI/ML engineer compensation trends.
Top Online Mobile Development Programs Analysis
The top 5 online mobile development programs demonstrate distinct strengths in curriculum delivery, student support, and career outcomes. Arizona State University leads with the most comprehensive online learning platform, featuring over 350 mobile development courses and partnerships with Apple and Google for industry-relevant curriculum updates. Their asynchronous format allows maximum flexibility while maintaining academic rigor through project-based assessments and peer collaboration tools.
Southern New Hampshire University excels in accelerated learning with 8-week course terms that allow students to complete degrees faster while working full-time. Their 24/7 student support includes dedicated success coaches and technical help desk services. Penn State World Campus offers the same curriculum and faculty as their prestigious on-campus program, providing exceptional academic credibility and alumni networking opportunities.
Cost analysis reveals significant variation among top programs. Western Governors University (#7) offers the lowest tuition at $7,344 annually through their competency-based model, while Full Sail University (#6) charges $21,900 but provides accelerated completion in 32 months. For students prioritizing affordability, see our analysis of most affordable mobile development programs and financial aid resources.
Program Selection Framework
- You want maximum curriculum depth with 350+ courses available
- Industry partnerships with Apple and Google are important to you
- You prefer completely asynchronous learning with new starts every 7.5 weeks
- You value comprehensive portfolio development (5 required apps)
- You want a public university degree with strong national recognition
- You need accelerated completion through 8-week terms
- 24/7 student support and success coaching are priorities
- You're balancing work and family responsibilities
- You want extensive transfer credit acceptance (up to 90 credits)
- Career services integration throughout the program appeals to you
- You want identical curriculum to prestigious on-campus program
- Penn State degree credibility and alumni network are valuable
- You prefer semester-based format for deeper learning
- Research-active faculty with industry consulting experience matter
- You're willing to pay premium tuition for brand recognition
- You're highly self-motivated and can learn independently
- Competency-based progression appeals to your learning style
- You want the most affordable tuition option ($7,344 annually)
- You have relevant experience that can accelerate completion
- You prefer to advance at your own pace through coursework
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Mobile Development Degrees
Based on 87 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.