Online Associates Degree in Computer Science - Best of 2024

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The computer science field is broad and includes a range of fields that degree holders can enter including artificial intelligence, graphics, hardware design and computer engineering, computer support specialist, computer science theory, algorithms, programming languages, computer information systems, various computer programs, database systems and database management, online - web development, and software development. There have been computer scientists hard at work since at least the 1940s and WWII, when the first electronic computing devices were created. However, the notion of programming concepts and programming languages dates all the way back to Ada Lovelace, a woman who wrote the first program for a binary system. That was in the 1840s. Today, you can continue her bold tradition of becoming a computer scientist by earning a computer science associate degree. These associate in computer science degree programs come in the form of an Associate of Arts (AA) degree, an Associate of Science (AS) degree, or an associate of applied science (AAS) degree. Many of these computer science programs, with their focus on the virtual world, are available through 100% online associate degrees or those with online learning components.

Full-time study in a two-year associate degree in the computer science field is a terrific way for science graduates who otherwise would only have a high school diploma to launch their career into entry-level computer science jobs. You could decide to focus your computer science associate degree on software or computer programming, or you might decide that online or system cyber security is a more interesting part of the computer science curriculum. Others can take their two-year, associate degree in computer science and become technical writers who translate computer instructions into English for the rest of us. No matter which direction you choose to obtain one of these computer science degrees, you can forge a brilliant career with a traditional or online computer science degree. An associate degree in computer science is going to require general education courses and will likely offer at least some of these core classes in the computer science field to provide a strong foundation for computer science students to begin a career or continue on to a four-year university.

Computer and Information Technology
Computer Science Theory
Computer Architecture
Computer Systems and Computer Support
Computer Information Systems
Computer Networks
Introduction to Computer Programming Fundamentals
Database Theory and Database Systems
Database Management
Algorithms and Algorithm Analysis
Web Development
Computer Programming
General Engineering Concepts
And More

These core computer science classes, offered by online and in-person computer science associate degree programs all over the U.S., will teach prospective computer science graduates everything they need to get started in entry-level computer science jobs. These include jobs as web developers, a support specialist, or a database administrator. To work in a higher-level position, such as that of cloud computing engineers, students will need to complete a higher-level computer science program.

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PROS

There are many positive aspects to earning an associate degree in computer science — Both an associate of arts degree and an associate of science degree are often quite affordable, take only two years to complete, and allow you to get a jump start on your career as one of the computer science professionals. If you take your courses online or in-person through a community college, you'll likely find that your per-credit costs are far below those of a public, four-year university.
Once students graduate and become degree holders, usually in a mere two years — they can get straight to work in an IT department or for a start-up company. That will put you ahead of your friends computer science careers who opted for a bachelor's degree. Furthermore, you can get started on online professional certificates after earning your associate degree, such as those for a support specialist or web developers, which can often mean as much as a degree. Your employer might even help you pay for those certificates, too.
Since you'll have a degree — you'll have a strong foundation that will allow you to return to a college or four-year university to further education and complete a bachelor's degree, should you desire. Your experience and certificates will help with your application and give you a head start on completing this higher level of education. Before you know it, you'll be in graduate school. These degree levels also have many options for students who wish to attend online.

CONS

An associate degree in computer science does have drawbacks — One of the main drawbacks is that employers often prefer a bachelor's degree for new hires. A two-year degree might also prevent you from earning a professional certificate, since a higher degree is required for many professional certificates.
You might also find that your starting — pay is a bit lower than your colleagues who have four-year degrees and you will only have access to entry-level computer science jobs. This is simply because they have more academic training. Your two-year degree may also prevent you from studying certain concentrations, such as cyber security, which are more easily available at larger, four-year schools.
Since bachelor's degrees are increasingly — seen as a minimum requirement for employment, an associate degree might not get you where you want to go. However, it is still possible to earn certain certificates and gain experience even with a two-year degree.

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25 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Programs

Lake Superior State University

Score: 71.1

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,266
- Out-of-State: $14,266
Net Price: $14,336
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 1,655
Undergrad Students: 1,655
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $39,400
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Colorado Christian University

Score: 67.87

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,266
- Out-of-State: $39,266
Net Price: $23,313
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 83%

Graduation Rate: 61%
Total Enrollment: 8,964
Undergrad Students: 7,602
Graduate Students: 1,362
Grads Salary: $42,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Franklin University

Score: 65.54

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,577
- Out-of-State: $9,577
Net Price: $18,989
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 50%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 8,044
Undergrad Students: 5,647
Graduate Students: 2,397
Grads Salary: $48,700
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Seminole State College of Florida

Score: 63.95

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,227
- Out-of-State: $11,447
Net Price: $3,144
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 43%
Total Enrollment: 14,323
Undergrad Students: 14,323
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $38,100
Student-to-faculty: 26:1

Laurel Ridge Community College

Score: 60.67

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,928
- Out-of-State: $10,931
Net Price: $6,499
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 65%

Graduation Rate: 41%
Total Enrollment: 5,720
Undergrad Students: 5,720
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $36,600
Student-to-faculty: 25:1

Cowley College

Score: 60.33

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,650
- Out-of-State: $6,150
Net Price: $8,396
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 47%
Total Enrollment: 2,230
Undergrad Students: 2,230
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $30,900
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Lincoln Land Community College

Score: 60.13

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,960
- Out-of-State: $10,248
Net Price: $4,265
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 4,444
Undergrad Students: 4,444
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $30,300
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

South College

Score: 60.1

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,935
- Out-of-State: $17,935
Net Price: $14,831
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 59%

Graduation Rate: 39%
Total Enrollment: 6,182
Undergrad Students: 4,906
Graduate Students: 1,276
Grads Salary: $41,500
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville

Score: 59.5

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,980
- Out-of-State: $8,790
Net Price: $9,619
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 45%
Total Enrollment: 5,965
Undergrad Students: 5,965
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $32,100
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Sheridan College

Score: 59

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,830
- Out-of-State: $11,130
Net Price: $9,209
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 34%
Total Enrollment: 3,596
Undergrad Students: 3,596
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $38,500
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Vincennes University

Score: 58.59

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,886
- Out-of-State: $16,289
Net Price: $9,637
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 33%
Total Enrollment: 16,773
Undergrad Students: 16,773
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $40,000
Student-to-faculty: 23:1

Montgomery College

Score: 58.52

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,398
- Out-of-State: $14,250
Net Price: $8,276
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 28%
Total Enrollment: 17,137
Undergrad Students: 17,137
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $38,100
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Faulkner University

Score: 58.52

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $23,920
- Out-of-State: $23,920
Net Price: $20,050
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 63%

Graduation Rate: 33%
Total Enrollment: 2,817
Undergrad Students: 1,792
Graduate Students: 1,025
Grads Salary: $38,900
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Southern New Hampshire University

Score: 58.22

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,450
- Out-of-State: $16,450
Net Price: $32,043
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 41%
Total Enrollment: 164,091
Undergrad Students: 140,865
Graduate Students: 23,226
Grads Salary: $51,300
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

Hudson Valley Community College

Score: 58.04

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,694
- Out-of-State: $11,750
Net Price: $7,815
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 29%
Total Enrollment: 9,140
Undergrad Students: 9,140
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $38,600
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Ulster County Community College

Score: 57.74

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,376
- Out-of-State: $11,656
Net Price: $7,479
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 29%
Total Enrollment: 2,912
Undergrad Students: 2,912
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $39,700
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

Weber State University

Score: 57.41

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,391
- Out-of-State: $17,084
Net Price: $10,525
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 29,914
Undergrad Students: 28,903
Graduate Students: 1,011
Grads Salary: $31,800
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

San Juan College

Score: 57.19

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,790
- Out-of-State: $4,985
Net Price: $4,378
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 23%
Total Enrollment: 5,454
Undergrad Students: 5,454
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $35,700
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Virginia Western Community College

Score: 57.17

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,256
- Out-of-State: $11,259
Net Price: $6,215
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 33%
Total Enrollment: 5,860
Undergrad Students: 5,860
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $34,900
Student-to-faculty: 23:1

Community College of Baltimore County

Score: 57.11

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,474
- Out-of-State: $10,880
Net Price: $6,850
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 52%

Graduation Rate: 16%
Total Enrollment: 15,319
Undergrad Students: 15,319
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $46,100
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Murray State College

Score: 57.01

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,630
- Out-of-State: $10,830
Net Price: $11,807
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 60%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 2,282
Undergrad Students: 2,282
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $38,800
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Lake Superior College

Score: 56.8

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,786
- Out-of-State: $5,786
Net Price: $14,978
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 60%

Graduation Rate: 34%
Total Enrollment: 3,849
Undergrad Students: 3,849
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $40,500
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Cochise College

Score: 56.8

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,232
- Out-of-State: $6,000
Net Price: $7,759
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 25%
Total Enrollment: 3,797
Undergrad Students: 3,797
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $37,400
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Brightpoint Community College

Score: 56.51

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,938
- Out-of-State: $10,941
Net Price: $6,048
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 32%
Total Enrollment: 8,792
Undergrad Students: 8,792
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $33,800
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

Park University

Score: 56.48

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,400
- Out-of-State: $16,400
Net Price: $15,858
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 59%

Graduation Rate: 23%
Total Enrollment: 7,662
Undergrad Students: 6,238
Graduate Students: 1,424
Grads Salary: $46,400
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Certificate Vs. Associate's

A certificate is another option that you might consider. Whether online or in-person, they take less time to complete and provide your resume with entry-level credentials to help you land that first job. While some certificates do require that you have a degree, many community colleges offer one-year certificates in computer science or information technology and have very minimal requirements for entry into these programs. These are great options for those who are eager to get started on a career in technology, or those who already have a computer science (CS) degree but want additional credentials to enhance their current position or to launch a new career.

Though a full associate degree is preferred, a certificate program will give you college credits. That means that you can build on those credits later if you wish to pursue higher academic credentials.

What Computer Science Associate Degrees are Available?

Associate of Science (AS):
This is perhaps the most common associate degree. These degrees include coursework in common core courses such as humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences. Your computer science work for this degree will rely on scholarly research and sources, which a four-year institution is sure to appreciate. If you wish to pursue a computer science bachelor’s degree in the future, this is probably your best choice.
Associate in Applied Science (AAS):
Applied science degrees focus more on occupational concerns than academic research. This means that, when you graduate, your knowledge will be more immediately applicable to the workplace. However, if you're thinking of pursuing a bachelor's degree later, you might find that you need to take more courses, or re-take certain classes, prior to attaining a full admission to a four-year institution.
Associate of Applied Business (AAB):
These degrees will provide you with the fundamental skills businesses are looking for. You'll learn about topics such as programming, networking, software development, and other technological areas. Some programs offer these degrees as a first-step toward other concentrations, such as cyber security.
Highest Paying Associate Graduate Jobs

Associate Computer Science Admission Requirements

While most community colleges have an open enrollment program, you will probably still need to have a high school diploma or GED to gain admittance. Since computer science is highly technical, you will probably also want to have a strong background in mathematics. If you know you want to study computer science while you are still in high school, you should try to enroll in as many computer-related courses as you can, such as classes in data structures, computer science theory, computer programming or software development.

While you might not need a specific SAT or ACT score to gain entry into an associate degree program, it’s never a bad idea to take whichever exam is most prevalent in your area. This way you can use the scores to help bolster your admissions packet. You'll also be able to gain an idea of what four-year schools you might consider attending.

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How long does it take to earn an Associate Degree in Computer Science?

Associate of Science degrees are typically structured to be completed in two years, assuming students take a full load of classes. You should do whatever you can to finish in that time, since the sooner you graduate the faster you can apply your degree to a job. However, many students still need to work part- or full-time to support themselves or a family, so they may need to take a bit longer to complete their computer science degree.

If you need to take more time for your computer science degree, try to land a job in an IT department or any high tech firm while you go to school. Even if you are working as a support staff administrator, you can let your employer know your plans. They may offer some help with tuition or help you ease into your new field.

Potential Careers in Computer Science with an Associate Degree

Computer Programmer:
After you learn, and achieve proficiency in, a few programming languages, you can work as a programmer. There are a wide range of projects and companies who need these skills. To start, you might be assigned to troubleshooting code or writing smaller scripts or subroutines. Eventually, you'll be able to work on larger software development projects.
Web Developer:
Web developers work on the back-end of websites. While you might need to do some front-end work on the CSS or HTML, your primary job will be to create the widgets and other technical aspects of a website. In addition to CSS and HTML, you will be well served by knowing PHP, JavaScript, Java, and even Python. However, you should also be prepared to learn new languages as needed.
Mobile Application Developer:
There's an app for everything, which is why there's a huge demand for mobile application developers. Look for work with a team that specializes in these types of programs so that you can build a specialty. You'll need to know how to develop for both Android and iOS, but later you might find yourself specializing and leading teams for one or the other platform.
Network Administrator:
It seems like nearly every firm these days has a network, and they need someone to oversee network operations. Your computer science degree will pay off as it will give you the familiarity with database programs, server systems, and even cyber security that you need to land these positions. To ensure a long career, you should earn and keep network certificates current.
Computer Security:
Cyber security is increasingly in the news, and businesses everywhere want to protect themselves from outside attacks. If this intrigues you, you should seek out a program that is considered a Center of Academic Excellence by the National Security Agency. You can also pursue different career paths such as penetration tester, forensics investigator, or cyber security consultant.
Technical Writer:
This is a job that isn't always obvious to students. However, if you have a penchant for the written word and love technology, this is a great field to investigate. You will provide documentation for coders or instructions for end-users. The field is varied and will help you meld your learning from those humanities courses with what you know from your technology coursework.

Salary by Occupation

Occupation	Entry-Level	Mid-Career	Late Career
Computer Network Architects	$82,500	$110,200	$131,800
Computer programmer	$55,800	$70,300	$85, 00
Computer Systems Analysts	$56,100	$71,100	$85,200
Data Engineer	$77,100	$103,900	$114,400
Data Architect	$68,600	$108,900	$131,200
Information Security Analyst	$59,700	$82,100	$101,700
Security Engineer	$71,600	$100,600	$116,000
Information Systems Analysts	$57,100	$70,700	$80,100
Web Developers	$52,700	$76,700	$98,600
Data Scientist, IT	$74,200	$98,500	$142,500
Mobile Applications Developer	$60,700	$87,600	$107,900
Systems Administrator	$51,300	$63,900	$75,200

Options to Advance

When you enter your field, you need to know that there's room to grow. After all, nobody wants to sit in an entry-level job forever. With a computer science associate degree, you'll have lots of opportunity to advance your career, raise your salary, and enjoy even greater professional fulfillment.

To ensure that you get ahead, you'll need to keep learning more and more. You can learn some things on your own, such as programming languages or even new technological tools. This added knowledge can be immediately applied in your job and will impress your boss when it comes time for yearly reviews. However, if you are seeking a new job, it will be to your advantage if you also achieve a certificate that demonstrates your new skillset to those you don’t work for. Constantly improving your resume is the best way to garner attention from those companies you are most interested in working for.

Eventually, you will probably want to return to school for a computer science bachelor's degree. When you begin a four-year degree in computer science, you can focus on whatever specialty area you've developed on the job, whether that's software development, networking, or cyber security.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is rolling admission, and should I attend a school with more rigid admission requirements?

Rolling admission usually refers to a policy of open admission throughout the year. You can apply any time during the year, with no late applications, and your application will be applied to the next available timeframe. However, the schools that utilize this type of admission usually don’t have very strict admission requirements. The truth of the matter is that the more exclusive a school is, the stricter the requirements for entry, the more likely it is for students to graduate. Maybe they have greater buy-in to the education because they put more effort in up front. Maybe those schools provide more support during the school year. It’s unclear. But, unless you are attending an associate program out of need for open enrollment policies, you might want to attend a school with higher enrollment requirements

How do you find a school that’s aligned with your interests?

You can find a school that is aligned with your interests by taking a look at their entire computer science department. If you are interested in eventually working in computer engineering, then keep an eye open for courses in that field. The same goes for database administration, software and hardware development, and any other computer science field. No, they may not offer a computer science degree in the field, but even taking one or two computer science courses in your field of interest can prepare you well for further education or even an entry-level job that can get you there.

Best Online Associates in Computer Science Degrees for 2024