Computer science is one of the fastest-growing fields out there–and it’s no wonder. With such rapidly evolving technology and the ever-increasing demands of consumers, there’s no end to the possibilities of where an applied computer science.
Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the most affordable, practical, and highly-esteemable best colleges through which to obtain your online computer science degree cheap. Not only are these best colleges easy on the wallet, but also highly respected in the higher education community. This list takes into account costs versus benefits, returns on investment, and the quality of the computer science degree courses.
Since we’re on the topic of computers, Best Universities has created a comprehensive list of schools offering students free laptops.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Methodology
All schools considered for these rankings
- Are regionally or nationally accredited
- Offer at least one fully online computer science degree (with no more than two weeks of required in-person work)
- Were collected from official accrediting agency websites.
Schools are ranked solely by the average net price as released in the most recent IPEDs database collected in July of 2022.
Cheapest Online Computer Science Degrees for 2023
| Rank | School | Average Net Price |
| # 1 | Florida International University | $5,298 |
| # 2 | Franklin University | $7,201 |
| # 3 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | $8,961 |
| # 4 | Grantham University | $9,245 |
| # 5 | Western Governors University | $9,969 |
| # 6 | Weber State University | $11,647 |
| # 7 | Lamar University | $11,739 |
| # 8 | SUNY Empire State College | $11,995 |
| # 9 | University of Illinois at Springfield | $12,034 |
| # 10 | Baker College Online | $12,575 |
| # 11 | Fort Hays State University | $13,189 |
| # 12 | Eastern Oregon University | $14,436 |
| # 13 | Park University | $14,619 |
| # 14 | Troy University | $14,992 |
| # 15 | Old Dominion University | $17,204 |
| # 16 | Saint Leo University Online | $18,445 |
| # 17 | Regent University Online | $24,888 |
| # 18 | Wayland Baptist University | $25,086 |
| # 19 | Central Methodist University | $25,095 |
| # 20 | Limestone University | $25,160 |
| # 21 | Liberty University | $29,382 |
| # 22 | Southern New Hampshire University Online | $42,645 |
10 Best Affordable Colleges for Online Computer Science Degrees
1. Florida International University
Average Net Price: $5,298
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Florida International University is a public university that opened its doors in 1972. It is located in the city of Miami, Florida, and is considered a large institution with an undergraduate population of 48,439. According to Niche, this university ranked fifth for top public universities in the state of Florida, 71st for best big colleges in the United States, and 85th for top public universities in America. On U.S. News & World Report, it ranked 12th for top performers on social mobility, 63rd for most innovative schools, and 105th for top public schools in the United States. Florida International University is known for having one of the best online computer science degree programs in the country. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Computer Science is very in demand, as companies become more dependent on computers, data science, information science, and information systems programming. All individuals enrolled in the program must pass each of the following courses: Fundamentals of Computer Systems, Structured Computer Organization, Technology in the Global Arena, Data Structures, Operating Systems Principles, Database Management, and more.
2. Franklin University
Average Net Price: $7,201
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
Franklin University is a private university that was developed in 1902. It is located in the city of Columbus, Ohio, and is considered a small college with less than 1,000 undergraduate students. Franklin University features an online Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Computer science, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Computer Science, and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Computer Science. Some of the skills and knowledge that online students will gain throughout the A.S. in Computer Science program are object-oriented design, information science skills, development and testing of applications and software, and quality assurance. A few of the courses that students will be required to complete in order to earn this degree are Introduction to Computer Science & Object-Oriented Programming, Principles of Computer Organization, Principles of Computer Networks, Database Management Systems, Cyber Security Fundamentals, and more.
The B.S. in Computer Science program teaches students how to analyze, assess, design, and implement technology-based applied computer science solutions that will benefit many different companies and businesses. The objective of the information technology program is to educate students on how to handle and solve the many arising issues of the constantly changing technological field. Several of the courses listed in the curriculum of this degree program are Application Server Programming, Fundamentals of Operating Systems, Object-Oriented Data Structures & Algorithms, and more.
The M.S. in Computer Science program will provide students with an advanced education to succeed in a career helping organizations with their emerging software and computer information technology issues. This computer science degree program is highly sought-after, as companies and corporations need individuals who can solve software problems as quickly as possible to help keep their company running efficiently. The following computer science online courses are mandatory to successfully complete this online master’s degree: Analysis of Algorithms, Issues in Database Management, Object-Oriented Design & Practice, Distributed Systems, Verification & Testing, and more.
3. Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Average Net Price: $8,961
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus is a public university that was formed in 1934. It is located in Portales, New Mexico, and is considered a small institution with an undergraduate population of 4,706. According to U.S. News & World Report, this university ranked 87th among the best regional universities in the west and 72nd among top performers on social mobility. Eastern New Mexico offers an excellent online computer science degree cheap. This program will teach individuals the skills and knowledge to pursue careers as software engineers, information technology coordinators, systems analysts, computer programmers, consultants, and database managers. The following online computer science courses are required to earn the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Computer Science at this university: Introduction to Computer Programming, Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science, Programming Language Concepts, Data Structures, Database Design and Programming, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Software Engineering, and more.
4. Grantham University
Average Net Price: $9,245
School Type: For-Profit
School Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
Grantham University is a for-profit university that was founded in 1951. It is located in Lenexa, Kansas and is considered to be a small institution with an undergraduate population of 3,009. Grantham University provides students who are unable to commute to campus with the option of receiving an online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Computer Science. The purpose of this computer science online degree is to offer all students interested in computers the convenience, accessibility, and flexibility that they need to complete their degree. Individuals who enroll in this program will learn the essential skills and knowledge to succeed in careers such as software engineers, computer information systems analysts, software development, system developers, computer programmers, information technology coordinators, and more. The majority of students graduate from this program in a little over two years. The following are a few of the mandatory courses to complete this online degree: Programming in JavaScript, Data Structures, Operating Systems, Programming Languages, Software Engineering, Computer Networks, Security Operations, Systems Analysis and Design, and more.
5. Western Governors University
Average Net Price: $9,969
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
Western Governors University is a private university that was established in 1996. It is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is considered a large institution with an undergraduate population of 88,921. According to Niche, this university ranked fourth for best value colleges in the state of Utah. On U.S. News & World Report, it ranked 12th for most innovative schools. Western Governors University features one of the best online computer science degree programs in the United States. This online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science program will prepare students for a career involving designing, optimizing, and developing computer systems for businesses. Most students finish this program within one year. The following courses are required for students to graduate from the online computer science degree at Western Governors University: Introduction to IT, Web Development Foundations, Network and Security, Scripting and Programming, the Business of IT, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, and more.
6. Weber State University
Average Net Price: $11,647
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
Weber State University is a public university that was established in 1889. It is located in Ogden, Utah, and is considered a large university with an undergraduate population of 27,465. According to U.S. News & World Report, this university ranked 40th among top public schools, 80th among best regional universities in the west, and 111th among top performers on social mobility. On Niche, it ranked 6th for best value colleges in the state of Utah. Weber State University has implemented an online degree in computer science for those who are unable to attend classes on campus. The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Computer Science program will equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to efficiently work in a career involving computers, which includes computer information systems managers, data science analysts, web developers, computer engineering, information technology development, and technical support engineers. A few of the required online computer science courses that students must complete to successfully earn this degree are Foundations of Computing, Object-Oriented Programming, Computational Structures, Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms, Network Fundamentals and Design, and more.
7. Lamar University
Average Net Price: $11,739
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Lamar University is a public university that was created in 1923. It is located in Beaumont, Texas, and is considered an average size school with an undergraduate population of 8,904. Lamar University provides interested individuals with an excellent computer science degree online. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science degree focuses on teaching students how to proficiently deal with data structures, programming languages, networking, multimedia, databases, software engineering, computer architecture, computer engineering, and so much more. Upon graduation, students will be ready to take on the role of a computer scientist. All students enrolled in this program will be required to pass the following courses: Fundamentals of Computing, Programming Fundamentals, Introduction to Computer Theory, Analysis and Design of Algorithms, Computer Law and Ethics, Operating Systems, Introduction to Computer Architecture, Data Communication & Computer Networks, Database Design, Software Engineering, and more.
8. SUNY Empire State College
Average Net Price: $11,995
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
SUNY Empire State College is a public university that began educating students in 1971. It is located in Saratoga Springs, New York, and is considered an average size school with an undergraduate population of 9,307. SUNY Empire State College offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Science, Mathematics, and Technology with a concentration in Computer Science. The goal of this program is to teach students algorithms, computer hardware designs, and systems programming. This program provides the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this field regardless of the student’s location and ability to commute to campus. Some of the courses found in the curriculum of the computer science concentration at this school are Introduction to Computing, Computer Architecture, Operating Systems, Introduction to Networks, Introduction to C++ Programming, Database Systems, Data Structures and Algorithms, Software Engineering, and more.
9. University of Illinois at Springfield
Average Net Price: $12,034
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance Rate: 77%
The University of Illinois at Springfield is a public university that first opened to the public in 1969. It is located in Springfield, Illinois, and is considered a small institution with 2,814 undergraduate students. According to U.S. News & World Report, this university ranked fourth for top public schools, 25th for top performers on social mobility, 33rd for best regional universities in the Midwest, and 41st for best value schools. On Niche, it ranked fourth for best online colleges in the United States, 137th for top public universities in America, and 164th for best small colleges in the country. The University of Illinois at Springfield features an online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Computer Science as well as an online Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Computer Science. The online bachelor’s degree will prepare students to play a vital role in an ever-changing technological field. Undergraduate students in this program will be required to enroll in the following courses to earn the degree: Computer Organization, Data Structures and Algorithms, Foundations of Computer Science, Programming Languages, Introduction to Operating Systems, and more.
The M.S. in Computer Science degree program is a great program for individuals seeking an advanced education involving computers. This program is essential for those who are interested in designing, implementing, and analyzing different software programs. Students in this graduate program may enroll in the following courses: Foundations of Network Security and Information Assurance, Intrusion Detection, Introduction to Cryptography, Web Design, Computer Ethics for Computing Professionals, Introduction to Database Systems, Algorithms and Computation, Data Mining, Big Data Analytics, Data Visualization, Computer Security, Advanced Database Concepts, Software Testing and Reliability, Network Programming, and more.
10. Baker College Online
Average Net Price: $12,575
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Baker College is a private, coeducational college located in Flint, Michigan. The school was founded in 1911. Baker College’s mission is to provide high-quality education and training that will prepare students for lifelong success. They are committed to the power of diversity and inclusion, which enhances the quality of the educational experience for all students. Today, Baker College serves thousands of students across the United States and around the world. They offer excellent programs at affordable prices with tuition rates that are often below those of other comparable colleges. Baker College offers access to an extensive range of different academic courses. They include courses in 8 different colleges from the world of undergraduate and graduate-level studies. Baker College also offers an extensive online campus for students who would like to complete their degree online.
The computer science program at Baker College is designed to prepare students for a career in the fast-paced world of technology. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market. Baker College offers a wide range of courses that are designed to help you develop your technical knowledge, improve your problem-solving skills, and expand your creativity. Our courses provide you with the opportunity to explore various topics in computer science, such as networking, software engineering, and data analytics. You can choose between their Bachelor of Science in Computer Science-Data Analytics or their Bachelor of Science in Computer Science-Computer Programming program.