A Guide to the Best Online Master’s in Computer Science Programs

Do you need a master’s in computer science to become a senior software engineer, work in robotics, or become a data scientist? No, but it sure can’t hurt. Having a graduate degree in computer science should boost your earning potential, make it easier to find a job you love in tech, and help you qualify for roles in such specialty areas as artificial intelligence or for management positions.

The very best computer science graduate programs prepare students for more interesting job opportunities. They also set them up for positions in management and advancement in a competitive market. However, acquiring this degree requires a significant time and financial commitment. Enrolling in Princeton University‘s graduate comp sci program, for example, means moving to New Jersey (a truly lovely town in Jersey, granted, but still…). Students in Cornell University‘s Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS), program must work as full-time teaching assistants.

There is an alternative, however. Some of the best engineering and technology schools offer strong online MSCS programs and Master of Computer Science programs. These often allow students a degree of flexibility that facilitates balancing a degree program with personal and professional commitments. They also significantly broaden students’ available choices.

In this article about the best online master’s in computer science, we cover:

• Why do some students pursue computer science master’s degrees online?
• What kinds of classes do students in online master’s in computer science programs take?
• Which schools have the best online master’s in computer science programs?
• What features do top computer science programs have in common?
• Are online master’s in computer science programs shorter than on-campus programs?
• Do online master’s in computer science programs cost less than on-campus programs?
• Are there any downsides to pursuing an MSCS online?
• How can students maximize the value of an online master’s degree?

Why do some students pursue computer science master’s degrees online?

Students in online computer science master’s degree programs enroll for the same reasons students in on-campus programs do: they have an insatiable curiosity, a passion for technology, and a desire to advance in their comp sci careers.

An MSCS can definitely help boost your profile and your income. On Tufts University‘s website for its online master’s in computer science program, for example, the school provides a list of possible jobs for MSCS graduates that includes six-figure computer science jobs like:

• Director of engineering
• Information security manager
• Principal software engineer
• Senior hardware design engineer
• Senior product manager
• Senior software engineer
• Senior systems engineer
• Software architect
• Software development manager
• Solutions architect
• Vice president of information technology

Students choose online computer science programs over traditional on-campus programs for a variety of reasons. Some prefer flexible class schedules. Some need to continue working. And some merely prefer the independent study characteristic of many online programs.

What kinds of classes do students in online master’s in computer science programs take?

The top online master’s programs in comp sci are designed for working professionals and students with a strong background in applied computer science. As a result, their curricula typically don’t include core courses in computer programming, programming languages, cloud computing, database management, data science, and computer theory. Instead, online students jump right into classes in subjects like:

• Advanced algorithms and analysis of algorithms
• Advanced database systems and design
• Advanced data structures
• Computational theory and practice
• Computer architecture and computer networks
• Computer engineering and computing systems
• Computer information systems
• Data compiling and network/Internet protocols
• Data warehousing and storage
• Information science
• Operating system analysis
• Network architecture
• Network security
• Software theory

Most MSCS programs cater to students who want to develop their skills in one or more areas of computer science. Curricula are driven by the concentrations students choose. Specialization options in the best online master of science in computer science programs include:

• Big data and data mining
• Computational biology
• Computer systems
• Cyber security
• Data analytics
• Foundations of computer science
• Game development
• Network systems
• Software systems

In addition to core coursework and concentration coursework, computer science graduate programs often include an internship, thesis, capstone course, co-op project, or practicum component. This is another way in which online and on-campus programs are similar, if not identical. Some programs offer both a thesis option and a non-thesis track, although that’s not the norm.

Which schools have the best online master’s in computer science programs?

Google ‘online master’s in computer science’; a list of schools pages and pages long will result. Some online computer science programs are better than others, however. The twelve schools below are home to some of the top online and on-campus master’s-level comp sci programs in the United States:

• Boston University
• Case Western Reserve University
• Columbia University
• Drexel University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Johns Hopkins University
• Stanford University
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• Tufts University
• University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign
• University of Southern California
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

What features do top computer science programs have in common?

Colleges and universities atop the school rankings tend to have strict prerequisite requirements. They’re much more likely to accept applicants who have bachelor’s degrees in computer science or related disciplines, advanced programming skills, and relevant professional experience. Many students in the above computer science master’s degree programs spent years working in tech after earning undergraduate degrees before applying.

Further, these programs are often geared toward prospective students looking to develop their skills in one area of computer science. Most of the above online MSCS programs offer niche concentrations like:

• Artificial intelligence
• Bioinformatics
• Experimental computer technology
• Human-computer interaction
• Image processes and pattern recognition
• Machine learning
• Natural language processing
• Robotics
• Software theory

Finally, the best online master’s in computer science programs do as much as they can to replicate the education students in traditional on-campus MSCS programs receive. Remember that the value of a degree is about more than just academics. In an outstanding on-campus MSCS program:

• Industry and research experts teach classes
• Students have opportunities to connect with industry leaders
• Clubs, alumni groups, and events promote networking

While online master’s in computer science programs can’t duplicate the on-campus experience in its entirety, they can make sure that students graduate with not just skills and knowledge but also the kinds of professional contacts that can lead to opportunities.

Are online master’s in computer science programs shorter than on-campus programs?

Most online master’s degree programs in computer science require students to complete 30 to 45 credit hours of coursework. This can take anywhere from one or two years of full-time study or four years or more in a part-time program.

The fastest online master’s in computer science programs can be intensive, however. In some cases, they are faster than traditional programs, but only because they require incoming students to have previously completed foundational coursework while pursuing another degree. If taking time off from work to study is absolutely out of the question, a more extended part-time MSCS program may be the best option.

Do online master’s in computer science programs cost less than on-campus programs?

Most online programs cost roughly the same as the corresponding on-campus program at a given school. While you won’t have to pay commuting costs, buy a parking pass, or budget for meals on-campus while earning a computer science degree online, you may pay technology fees that only distance learners have to pay. Online MSCS programs can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 per credit; tuition at the best schools is usually closer to the latter. You’ll probably pay about $20,000+ per year if you enroll in a full-time program, but that figure doesn’t include fees and other expenses.

Don’t worry too much, however, about enrolling in a more expensive program if you have the background and ambition they’re looking for. According to PayScale, master’s degree in computer science graduates earn $100,000 per year on average, and with that salary, you should be able to pay off any student loans you need to take out much more quickly than the average American. Online master’s degree students can also take advantage of the same financial aid options and scholarships as students who choose to study on-campus.

Are there any downsides to pursuing an MSCS online?

As touched on above, you’re going to miss out on some of the career-boosting extras that you can only get on-campus when you study computer science online. Most employers and hiring managers don’t distinguish between online degrees and traditional degrees, but they may not be actively recruiting from online talent pools. According to Business Insider, the “best computer science and engineering schools in the US are hotspots for elite companies like Google, Apple, Raytheon, Facebook, and Lockheed Martin to recruit new talent.” Still, almost all the examples they cite involve on-the-ground opportunities like campus career fairs and local internships. You will more than likely need to work harder than your peers who studied on-campus to build a robust professional network and to connect with the kinds of industry leaders in the position to place you into more advanced roles.

How can students maximize the value of an online master’s degree?

An online master’s in computer science from one of the best schools can take you as far as you want to go in almost any industry. After all, just about every field has computing and software engineering needs.

However, if you’re worried that your online degree won’t carry as much weight as a degree from an on-campus program, there are steps you can take to mitigate the downsides outlined above. First, you can collect computer science certifications like they’re power cables. There are plenty of vendor-specific certifications offered by the big-name computer technology companies, as well as certifications offered by industry associations and non-profit organizations. Look into the:

• Certified Information Manager credential
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional credential
• CompTIA credentials
• IEEE certificates
• Software Engineering Master credential

Next, choose your area or areas of specialization carefully. No one can become an expert in every facet of comp sci, so choose a degree concentration that harmonizes with your interests and supports your goals. If you want to earn as much as possible, you may wish to specialize in network architecture or software research. If you have a passion for true crime, cyber security may be where you belong. If you spend all your time in Twitch, game design could be the industry for you. Remember, there are many subdisciplines in computer science, each of which will lead to different kinds of job opportunities.

Finally, acknowledge that earning an online master’s in computer science is only the first step of a lifelong journey. You can’t learn everything (or meet everyone) you’ll need to know to succeed in comp sci in one or two years. The one constant in this industry is that it’s always changing. You will spend your career getting familiar with new technologies, learning new programming languages, adapting to evolving best practices, and reaching out to bright new players in the computer science landscape.

Why not start right now? There’s a lot you can do outside your classes and bulletin board systems to jumpstart your career. Design, build, and program a robot and post your progress on YouTube. Attend an industry conference or three. Write your own open-source software. Pick up some contract work building websites. Connect with other CS nerds on Reddit.

In other words, build your network and flesh out your resume before you start applying for jobs because that initiative plus your online degree will definitely help you get hired.

Questions or feedback? Email editor@noodle.com