An online or traditional bachelor’s in software engineering degree or development is the entry-level degree for full participation as a software developer and perhaps a software engineer. The degree may be in computer science or computer engineering rather than specifically in software engineering and development. A bachelor’s in software engineering provides an extensive background in mathematics that includes calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations, which allows prospective students to complete the education requirement for careers as software engineers, a project manager in software design, software quality assurance, web development, mobile application development, and more.
While some schools offer online and on-campus certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degree programs in software development, the traditional approaches include computer and software engineering. With degrees in either major, students can add courses to develop depth in desired basic concepts like object-oriented programming languages, coding, basic software design principles, the software creation process, and creating usable software systems design.
The first two years of computer software engineer or developer coursework teach students the relationships between mathematics, statistical concepts, and computer fundamental concepts. Software engineering degree program courses include instruction in all of these concepts and often require lab work, so you'll need to check the syllabus carefully if you are hoping to complete a fully online software engineering degree. Students will acquire skills and knowledge to analyze, maintain, and construct software as well as problem-solving skills that can help them in their career as software developers. Students must take courses in programming, operating systems, and must also master one or more source languages such as C++, Ruby, and Python. Below is a list of some of the basic concepts mentioned and more that students might see in a program focused on a software engineering or development degree.
- Basic Software Design Principles
- Operating Systems and Embedded Systems
- Computer Architecture and Computer Systems Design
- Web Development
- Software Engineering Principles
- Software Project Planning
- Software Quality Assurance
- Object-Oriented Programming Languages
- Project Management of Programming Projects and Others
- The Software Creation Process and Software Development Lifecycle
- Classical Algorithms
- Analysis of Algorithms
- Methods of Evaluation
- The Software Lifecycle
- Software Requirements: Iterface, Maintenance/Updates, etc.
- Graphical User Interfaces
- Software Applications
- Software Testing
- Software Security
- Software Products
- Software Publishing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Online Software/Mobile Application Development
- Internships for Real-World, Practical Experience
- And More
Top 25 Best Online Bachelors in Software Development Programs
Mercer University
Score: 82.71
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $40,890
- Out-of-State:$40,890
- Net Price: $22,087
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 8,889
- Undergrad Students: 4,859
- Graduate Students: 4,030
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
DePaul University
Score: 77.5
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,460
- Out-of-State:$44,460
- Net Price: $32,151
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 20,917
- Undergrad Students: 14,134
- Graduate Students: 6,783
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Husson University
Score: 74.65
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,194
- Out-of-State:$22,194
- Net Price: $19,978
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 3,065
- Undergrad Students: 2,429
- Graduate Students: 636
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Champlain College
Score: 73.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $45,550
- Out-of-State:$45,550
- Net Price: $35,133
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,543
- Undergrad Students: 3,060
- Graduate Students: 483
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Western Governors University
Score: 73.07
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,300
- Out-of-State:$8,300
- Net Price: $9,207
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 156,935
- Undergrad Students: 112,807
- Graduate Students: 44,128
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 42:1
Point Park University
Score: 71.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $38,160
- Out-of-State:$38,160
- Net Price: $24,702
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 3,288
- Undergrad Students: 2,418
- Graduate Students: 870
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,774
- Out-of-State:$11,384
- Net Price: $11,450
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 2,357
- Undergrad Students: 2,357
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
St. Petersburg College
Score: 68.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,682
- Out-of-State:$9,286
- Net Price: $2,132
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 23,501
- Undergrad Students: 23,501
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
ECPI University
Score: 67.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,484
- Out-of-State:$18,484
- Net Price: $22,578
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 51%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 11,740
- Undergrad Students: 11,399
- Graduate Students: 341
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Grand Canyon University
Score: 66.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,450
- Out-of-State:$17,450
- Net Price: $21,939
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 101,816
- Undergrad Students: 66,769
- Graduate Students: 35,047
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Tiffin University
Score: 64.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,400
- Out-of-State:$32,400
- Net Price: $25,636
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 3,044
- Undergrad Students: 2,339
- Graduate Students: 705
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Bellevue University
Score: 64.75
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,886
- Out-of-State:$8,886
- Net Price: $24,767
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 51%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 13,841
- Undergrad Students: 10,808
- Graduate Students: 3,033
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Park University
Score: 64.44
- 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: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
University of Maryland Global
Score: 63.34
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,992
- Out-of-State:$12,336
- Net Price: $16,957
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 43%
- Graduation Rate: 19%
- Total Enrollment: 55,838
- Undergrad Students: 46,734
- Graduate Students: 9,104
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Purdue Global
Score: 62.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,110
- Out-of-State:$14,421
- Net Price: $6,785
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 17%
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- Total Enrollment: 45,125
- Undergrad Students: 33,510
- Graduate Students: 11,615
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
DeVry University-Illinois
Score: 61.99
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,488
- Out-of-State:$17,488
- Net Price: $30,112
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 26,384
- Undergrad Students: 23,357
- Graduate Students: 3,027
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 49:1
Atlantis University
Score: 61.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,720
- Out-of-State:$12,720
- Net Price: $16,108
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 59%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 850
- Undergrad Students: 443
- Graduate Students: 407
- Grads Salary: $40,900
- Student-to-faculty: 25:1
Post University
Score: 61.5
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,100
- Out-of-State:$17,100
- Net Price: $18,307
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 35%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 17,034
- Undergrad Students: 14,682
- Graduate Students: 2,352
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Herzing University-Birmingham
Score: 59.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,420
- Out-of-State:$13,420
- Net Price: $21,953
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 50%
- Graduation Rate: 30%
- Total Enrollment: 578
- Undergrad Students: 570
- Graduate Students: 8
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Eastern Florida State College
Score: 58.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,496
- Out-of-State:$9,739
- Net Price: $5,927
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 13,114
- Undergrad Students: 13,114
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $36,300
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Baker College
Score: 58.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,810
- Out-of-State:$12,810
- Net Price: $13,719
- Acceptance Rate: 37%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- Total Enrollment: 4,106
- Undergrad Students: 3,778
- Graduate Students: 328
- Grads Salary: $54,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Southern New Hampshire University
Score: 58.26
- 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: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Capella University
Score: 58.03
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,436
- Out-of-State:$14,436
- Net Price: $14,935
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 36%
- Graduation Rate: 21%
- Total Enrollment: 39,727
- Undergrad Students: 13,280
- Graduate Students: 26,447
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 35:1
American InterContinental University
Score: 56.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,310
- Out-of-State:$12,310
- Net Price: $13,808
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 17%
- Graduation Rate: 23%
- Total Enrollment: 14,333
- Undergrad Students: 10,447
- Graduate Students: 3,886
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 40:1
Hodges University
Score: 54.82
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,580
- Out-of-State:$15,580
- Net Price: $18,083
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 29%
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- Total Enrollment: 443
- Undergrad Students: 339
- Graduate Students: 104
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
