Key takeaway: 1,793 of the 2,817 institutions in our directory that offer fully online programs report computer science completions to the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS CIP 11 computer science families). Computer science is one of the fields that works best online, since the work itself happens on a computer. What separates programs is the depth of the math and theory, how much real programming you do, and whether the degree is computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity. The schools below are ordered by BOC Score.
Three degrees get lumped together as “computer” degrees and they lead to different work. Decide which one you want before you compare schools.
Schools to Compare
These accredited institutions report computer science completions and at least one program completable entirely online. Ranked by BOC Score within that group.
How We Rank Schools
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most
recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
- Graduation rate 30%
- Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
- Average net price (lower is better) 20%
- Retention rate 15%
- Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Graduation rate
93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$102,772
Avg net price
$12,116/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 98%
- Programs offered: 64
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
97%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$124,080
Avg net price
$13,807/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 98%
- Programs offered: 100
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
11%
Graduation rate
93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$92,446
Avg net price
$13,481/yr
TuitionIn‑state$16,347
Out‑of‑state$50,547
Key stats
- Retention rate: 97%
- Programs offered: 127
Source:Accreditor: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
89%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$71,588
Avg net price
$6,541/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 97%
- Programs offered: 172
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
8%
Graduation rate
95%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$89,718
Avg net price
$13,370/yr
TuitionIn‑state$64,144
Out‑of‑state$64,144
Key stats
- Retention rate: 98%
- Programs offered: 78
Source:Accreditor: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
9%
Graduation rate
93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$82,511
Avg net price
$12,548/yr
TuitionIn‑state$15,203
Out‑of‑state$49,403
Key stats
- Retention rate: 97%
- Programs offered: 161
Source:Accreditor: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
94%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$83,648
Avg net price
$13,138/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 98%
- Programs offered: 206
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
96%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$91,885
Avg net price
$14,860/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 99%
- Programs offered: 105
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
27%
Graduation rate
87%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$84,943
Avg net price
$12,470/yr
TuitionIn‑state$16,758
Out‑of‑state$50,958
Key stats
- Retention rate: 94%
- Programs offered: 133
Source:Accreditor: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
85%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$76,310
TuitionContact school for pricing
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
91%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$72,200
Avg net price
$11,655/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 97%
- Programs offered: 117
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$91,565
Avg net price
$15,846/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 96%
- Programs offered: 157
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Two IPEDS fields produced this list: completions reported under the computer science CIP families (CIP 11) and the distance education program flag from the Institutional Characteristics survey (IC 2024). Those fields confirm that a school awards computer science degrees and runs fully online programs. They do not confirm that the computer science program itself is offered online or which concentrations are current. Check the school’s catalog before you apply.
Computer science, IT, or cybersecurity
- Computer science. Algorithms, data structures, systems, and the math underneath them. It prepares you to build software and to go on to graduate study. See the computer science guide.
- Information technology. Networks, systems administration, cloud, and support for the technology an organization runs on. More applied, lighter on math. See our list of best online colleges for information technology.
- Cybersecurity. Protecting systems and data: network security, risk, and incident response. It can sit inside a computer science or an IT department, and the technical depth varies with which one. See the cybersecurity guide.
Related specializations have their own guides: software engineering, data science, and artificial intelligence.
The math question
A computer science bachelor’s usually requires calculus and discrete mathematics, and often linear algebra and statistics. If math has been a barrier, ask each program for its exact math sequence and whether it offers preparatory courses. IT programs usually require less math; if the math is the deciding factor, that may be the better fit.
What to check in an online computer science program
- Programming volume. Ask how many courses require substantial programming projects and which languages they use. A portfolio of real projects matters to employers.
- Programmatic accreditation. ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission accredits some computer science programs. It is not required for most software jobs, but it is a signal of curriculum quality.
- Cybersecurity designations. For cybersecurity programs, the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity designation, run by the NSA with partner agencies, is the recognized federal benchmark.
- Capstone and internships. A capstone project, internship support, or industry partnerships give you something concrete to show.
- Outcomes. Use the graduation, retention, and earnings figures on each card, which come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
Quick Answers
How many online colleges offer computer science degrees?
In our directory, 1,793 institutions with fully online programs report computer science completions (IPEDS CIP 11 computer science families). Confirm that the computer science program itself is offered online at each school.
Is an online computer science degree worth it?
It depends on the program and your goals. Employers hire on skills, portfolio, and the institution’s accreditation, not the delivery format. Compare programs on programming depth, outcomes, and cost.
Computer science focuses on how software and computation work and how to build them, with more math and theory. Information technology focuses on running and supporting systems, networks, and infrastructure, and is more applied.
Do I need a lot of math for computer science?
Most bachelor’s programs require calculus and discrete mathematics, and many add linear algebra and statistics. Ask each school for its required math sequence.
Next steps
Source: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS Completions survey (CIP 11 computer science families) and Institutional Characteristics survey (IC 2024) distance education program flags (DISTPGS); directory counts as of the September 2026 data refresh.
