Best Online Mobile Development Degree Programs 2026

Best Mobile Development Programs - Top 10 Online — Complete Program Data

1. #1. University of California-Berkeley Mobile Development Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Berkeley as the #1 in mobile development degree program. Location: Berkeley, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 100.0

   What makes University of California-Berkeley stand out: Berkeley Mobile Developers of Berkeley (MDB) offers comprehensive 12-week training programs in React Native, iOS, and Android development. Cubstart provides web/mobile development courses for beginners.

   Hakia Insight: With a 11% acceptance rate, University of California-Berkeley's mobile development program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: UC Berkeley offers mobile application development courses through the School of Information (Info 152, 252) covering Web-based mobile applications, RESTful service design, and mobile platforms. The Mobile Developers of Berkeley student org provides hands-on training in React Native, iOS, and Android.

   Degree Programs: BS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (4 years); MEng in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (1 year); MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (2 years); PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (5-7 years)

   Research Labs: Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab - Artificial intelligence and machine learning; AMP Lab - Big data analytics and cloud computing; Berkeley Institute of Design - Human-computer interaction

   Industry Partners: Intel, Google, Microsoft, IBM, Siemens

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Apple, Google, Meta, Uber | Common Roles: iOS Developer, Android Developer, Mobile Engineer

   Notable Faculty: Stuart Russell (Artificial intelligence); Dawn Song (Computer security); Michael Jordan (Machine learning)

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 11%

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

2. #2. University of California-Irvine Mobile Development Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Irvine as the #2 in mobile development degree program. Location: Irvine, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 93.8

   What makes University of California-Irvine stand out: UCI Software Engineering major provides strong foundation from initial conception to design, implementation, and quality assurance. UCI Extension offers dedicated Mobile Application Development Certificate with iOS, Android, and Windows tracks.

   Hakia Insight: With a 21% acceptance rate, University of California-Irvine's mobile development program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: UC Irvine offers BS in Software Engineering covering mobile app development through specialized courses on contemporary libraries and frameworks for mobile applications, emulators, standards, patterns, energy consumption, and screen layout.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years); PhD in Computer Science (5-6 years)

   Research Labs: Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics - Computational biology and bioinformatics; Center for Machine Learning and Intelligent Systems - Machine learning and AI research

   Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 95% | Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Qualcomm, Blizzard Entertainment | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Product Manager, Research Scientist, Mobile Developer

   Notable Faculty: Alex Ihler (Machine learning and artificial intelligence); Padhraic Smyth (Machine learning and data mining)

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 21%

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

3. #3. University of California-Santa Cruz Mobile Development Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Santa Cruz as the #3 in mobile development degree program. Location: Santa Cruz, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 93% | Score: 92.8

   What makes University of California-Santa Cruz stand out: UCSC ranked #2 public school for engineering salaries by Wall Street Journal 2023. Silicon Valley Extension teaches Flutter, Kotlin, and Swift for mobile development. Located 30 miles from Silicon Valley with strong industry connections.

   Hakia Insight: Through ties with Seagate and Western Digital, University of California-Santa Cruz bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.

   Program Overview: UC Santa Cruz Baskin School of Engineering offers computer science programs with mobile development focus. UCSC Silicon Valley Extension offers dedicated Mobile Application Development specialization covering iOS, Android, Flutter, and cross-platform development.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); BS in Computer Game Design (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years); PhD in Computer Science (5-7 years)

   Research Labs: Center for Games and Playable Media - Computer games and interactive media; Storage Systems Research Center - Computer storage and file systems

   Industry Partners: Seagate, Western Digital, Google

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Amazon, Apple, Google, Facebook | Common Roles: Mobile Developer, Software Engineer, iOS Developer

   Notable Faculty: Darrell Long (Storage systems and distributed computing); Noah Wardrip-Fruin (Games and computational media)

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 47%

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

4. #4. University of Washington-Seattle Campus Mobile Development Program

   Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #4 in mobile development degree program. Location: Seattle, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,524/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 92.6

   What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus stand out: UW faculty like Shwetak Patel develop mobile apps for healthcare including SpiroSmart, BiliCam, and OsteoApp. Washington ranks 3rd nationwide in software engineering employment with developers averaging $145K annually.

   Hakia Insight: Students at University of Washington-Seattle Campus benefit from active collaborations with Google and Amazon, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: UW offers BS in Computer Science & Software Engineering (CSSE) at UW Bothell stressing computer programming and people-centered software development. The Capstone requires 400 hours of real-world projects. Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development also available.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (Mobile Computing track) (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years)

   Research Labs: Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering - Mobile systems, HCI, security; DUB (Design, Use, Build) Group - Human-computer interaction and mobile interfaces

   Industry Partners: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple | Common Roles: Mobile Developer, Software Engineer, App Developer

   Notable Faculty: Franziska Roesner (Mobile security and privacy); Richard Ladner (Accessibility in mobile computing)

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 48%

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

5. #5. University of California-Los Angeles Mobile Development Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Los Angeles as the #5 in mobile development degree program. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 90.7

   What makes University of California-Los Angeles stand out: UCLA CS 130 team projects have won awards for mobile app development. Faculty like Mani Srivastava specialize in embedded software, ubiquitous and mobile computing, and IoT. UCLA Extension offers iOS App Development with Swift course.

   Hakia Insight: With a 9% acceptance rate, University of California-Los Angeles's mobile development program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: UCLA offers computer science programs with mobile development coursework through CS 130 Software Engineering. Past CS 130 team projects have included award-winning mobile apps including Üdder (iOS event scheduling), Photo Hangout (collaborative photo editing), and BitBoard (iOS/web collaborative whiteboard).

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years); PhD in Computer Science (5-7 years)

   Research Labs: Center for Vision, Cognition, Learning, and Autonomy - Computer vision and machine learning; UCLA Computer Graphics & Vision Laboratory - Computer graphics and visualization

   Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Disney, Amazon

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Apple, Netflix, Riot Games | Common Roles: Mobile Developer, Software Engineer, iOS/Android Developer

   Notable Faculty: Demetri Terzopoulos (Computer graphics and computer vision); Song-Chun Zhu (Computer vision and machine learning)

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 9%

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

6. #6. University of California-San Diego Mobile Development Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-San Diego as the #6 in mobile development degree program. Location: La Jolla, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 81% | Score: 90.1

   What makes University of California-San Diego stand out: UCSD Cognitive Science Design & Interaction specialization focuses on human-computer interaction and mobile app development. Extended Studies offers .NET Development certificate with cross-platform mobile apps using .NET MAUI for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.

   Hakia Insight: With a 23% acceptance rate, University of California-San Diego's mobile development program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: UC San Diego offers mobile development through BS in Cognitive Science (Design & Interaction specialization) for UX and mobile app development, plus Extended Studies programs in mobile application programming for iOS and Android. CSE offers software engineering research.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years); PhD in Computer Science (5-7 years)

   Research Labs: Systems and Networking Research Group - Computer systems and networking; Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute - Data science and machine learning

   Industry Partners: Qualcomm, Google, Microsoft, Illumina

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Qualcomm, Apple, Google, Intuit | Common Roles: Mobile Developer, UX Designer, iOS/Android Developer

   Notable Faculty: Stefan Savage (Computer security and networking); Tajana Rosing (Computer systems and energy efficiency)

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 23%

   Accreditations: ABET Accredited

7. #7. University of California-Davis Mobile Development Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Davis as the #7 in mobile development degree program. Location: Davis, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Score: 90.1

   What makes University of California-Davis stand out: UC Davis CS students developed and taught their own upper-division Android course covering 73% of global mobile devices. iPhone programming course fills within hours. Students can become iOS developers for ASUCD working on the UC Davis Mobile app.

   Hakia Insight: University of California-Davis's Accelerated, Secure, and Energy-Efficient Computing Laboratory (ASEEC) creates a direct research-to-career pipeline with Sacramento and Bay Area tech, bridging academic research and industry practice.

   Program Overview: UC Davis CS department offers mobile development courses including student-taught Android app development and popular iOS/iPhone programming classes. Students can work on the official UC Davis Mobile app as iOS developers.

   Degree Programs: BS Computer Science (4 years); iOS Development Specialization (Coursera) (6 months)

   Research Labs: Accelerated, Secure, and Energy-Efficient Computing Laboratory (ASEEC) - Computer systems security and efficiency; Graphics Hardware for General-Purpose Computation (GPGPU) - GPU computing applications; LEPS: Laboratory for Embedded and Programmable Systems - Embedded systems and programmable hardware; Next Generation Networking Systems Laboratory - Advanced networking systems; Quantum Nanophotonics Lab - Quantum devices and photonics

   Industry Partners: Sacramento and Bay Area tech

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Apple, Google, Intel, HP | Common Roles: Mobile Developer, iOS Developer, Software Engineer

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 37%

   Accreditations: ABET Accredited

8. #8. University of Maryland-College Park Mobile Development Program

   Hakia ranks University of Maryland-College Park as the #8 in mobile development degree program. Location: College Park, MD | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,889/year | Graduation Rate: 84% | Score: 88.1

   What makes University of Maryland-College Park stand out: UMD is #1 in the USA for producing computer science and information science bachelor's degrees among non-online universities, with unique access to 400+ top industry partners and federal agencies in the National Capital Region including NSA, NIST, and the Laboratory for Physical Sciences.

   Hakia Insight: University of Maryland-College Park's direct partnerships with IBM and Google give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.

   Program Overview: The University of Maryland-College Park offers a comprehensive Information Technology ecosystem through its College of Information Studies (iSchool) and Robert H. Smith School of Business. The flagship program is the Bachelor of Science in Information Science (InfoSci), a 4-year degree requiring 120 credits that uniquely blends technical skills in database design, cybersecurity, and web development with social sciences and humanities. The program stands out for its hands-on learning approach with over 400 industry partners and access to world-renowned research centers. For graduate students, the Smith School offers both in-person and online Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) programs - a 3-semester, 30-credit STEM-designated degree that focuses on AI, data analytics, and business-technology leadership. What sets UMD apart is its strategic location in the National Capital Region, surrounded by federal agencies like NSA, NIST, and major tech firms. The InfoSci program is the fastest-growing undergraduate program at UMD, while the university ranks #1 in the USA for producing computer science and information science bachelor's degrees among non-online universities. Students benefit from partnerships with the Laboratory for Physical Sciences, quantum computing initiatives, and direct access to government and industry professionals who regularly engage in curriculum development and project collaboration.

   Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science in Information Science (4 years); Master of Science in Information Systems (In-Person) (3 semesters); Master of Science in Information Systems (Online) (flexible)

   Research Labs: Information Policy and Access Center (iPAC) - Research on government decisions and information access impacts at national, regional, and community levels; Social Data Science (SoDa) Center - Survey methods, measurement, information management, visualization, and analytics for social data science; Maryland Initiative for Digital Accessibility (MIDA) - Making digital technologies accessible for all through 'born-accessible' approach; Center for Automation Research - Computer Vision Laboratory and Laboratory for Language and Media Processing

   Industry Partners: IBM, Google, CIA, National Archives, Smithsonian, Library of Congress, Laboratory for Physical Sciences, National Institute of Standards and Technology

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: IBM, Google, Library of Congress, National Archives, Smithsonian, CIA, IMF, Discovery Channel, New York Times, National Geographic, Amazon, Salesforce, Capital One, Deloitte | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Database Administrator, User Experience Designer, Cybersecurity Specialist, Web Developer, Systems Architect, Business Intelligence Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Siva Viswanathan (Platform design, social media and network analytics, information economics and the sharing economy); Sujin Kim (Simulation methodology and stochastic simulation-based optimization in electric power and health service systems); Lauren Rhue (Economic and social implications of technology platforms in minority communities)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.5 average GPA for MSIS program

   Accreditations: #18 in USA as Public Research Institution (NSF HERD Survey), #7 in USA as University for Undergraduate Entrepreneurship (The Princeton Review), #7 in Management Information Systems, Public Universities (U.S. News and World Report)

9. #9. University of Southern California Mobile Development Program

   Hakia ranks University of Southern California as the #9 in mobile development degree program. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $66,640/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 86.3

   What makes University of Southern California stand out: USC offers dedicated Mobile App Development minor with Android (TAC-341) and iOS (TAC-342) courses. Students build mobile apps from idea to product covering design, development, and deployment.

   Hakia Insight: With a 12% acceptance rate, University of Southern California's mobile development program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: USC Viterbi School offers Mobile Application Development minor through Technology & Applied Computing. Students design and program apps for Android and iOS, learning mobile interfaces, libraries, and user input handling. Courses include TAC-341 Android App Development and TAC-342 iOS App Development.

   Degree Programs: BS Computer Science - Mobile Computing (4); BS Computer Science/Business Administration (4)

   Research Labs: Mobile and Environmental Media Lab - Mobile sensing and ubiquitous computing; Information Sciences Institute - Mobile security and networking; USC Game Innovation Lab - Mobile gaming and AR/VR

   Industry Partners: Apple, Google, Meta, Amazon

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, Snapchat | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Mobile Developer, Product Manager, Research Scientist

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 12%

   Accreditations: AWS Certified Developer, Google Cloud Professional, Apple iOS Development

10. #10. Cornell University Mobile Development Program

    Hakia ranks Cornell University as the #10 in mobile development degree program. Location: Ithaca, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $65,204/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 86.2

    What makes Cornell University stand out: Cornell uniquely offers both a fully-funded research MS in Ithaca with mandatory teaching experience and a one-year industry-focused MEng at Cornell Tech in NYC, where students build actual products for real companies through the first-of-its-kind Studio curriculum.

    Hakia Insight: Students at Cornell University benefit from active collaborations with IBM and Intel, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

    Program Overview: Cornell University offers multiple pathways into computer science graduate education, each with distinct advantages for different career trajectories. The Master of Science in Computer Science, housed at Cornell's Ithaca campus, represents a highly selective, research-intensive program that combines advanced coursework with mandatory thesis research and teaching assistantships. This four-semester program requires 34 credit hours, including 6-12 credits of thesis research, and provides full funding through teaching assistantships for students maintaining good standing. In New York City, Cornell Tech offers a one-year Master of Engineering in Computer Science designed for immediate industry impact, featuring the innovative Studio curriculum where students build complete digital solutions for real companies in cross-disciplinary teams with business and law students. The Ithaca MS program particularly appeals to self-motivated researchers who thrive in mentoring environments, as students gain valuable teaching experience with undergraduates while conducting specialized research. Cornell Tech's Manhattan location provides direct access to NYC's tech ecosystem, with students working on innovation challenges from real companies and learning from faculty with extensive industry experience. Both programs benefit from Cornell's broader research infrastructure, including world-class facilities like the Cornell Center for Advanced Computing and specialized research groups in artificial intelligence, security and privacy, and human-computer interaction.

    Degree Programs: MS in Computer Science (Ithaca) (2 years); Master of Engineering in Computer Science (Cornell Tech) (1 year); Special Master's in Computer Science (Variable)

    Research Labs: Initiative for Cryptocurrencies & Contracts (IC3) - Blockchain science and cryptocurrency research; Digital Life Initiative (DLI) - Ethics, policy, and quality of life in socio-technical systems; People-Aware Computing Lab - Mobile sensing systems for capturing human context and activities; XR Collaboratory (XRC) - Augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality research

    Industry Partners: IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Google, Cisco Systems

    Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90% of Cornell Tech CS graduates accept Software Developer roles | Top Employers: Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft | Common Roles: Software Developer, Product Manager, Program Manager, Data Scientist, Research positions

    Notable Faculty: Vitaly Shmatikov (Digital privacy, computer security, machine learning security); Yoav Artzi (Natural language processing, machine learning); Noah Snavely (Computer vision, computer graphics); Helen Nissenbaum (Ethics and policy in technology)

    Admissions:

    Accreditations: AI for Engineers Certificate available at Cornell Tech