Top 5 online computer science master’s degree programs


The University of Illinois had the top-ranked program this year.

The unveiling of Georgia Tech’s massive open online course (MOOC)-based computer science master’s degree, offered for about one-sixth the cost of the university’s traditional computer science master’s program, reflects the economic demand for computer-related jobs, Georgia Tech officials and technologists said.

A recent study from the job search website CareerCast pegged software engineer as the top job of 2012, based on criteria including salary, hiring outlook, stress levels, and work environment. Seven computer-related jobs made the CareerCast top jobs of 2012.

No institution will compete with Georgia Tech’s $7,000 Udacity- based computer science program — not yet, anyway — but many universities have seen their web-based comp-sci courses gain prestige over the past few years. BestComputerScienceDegrees.com compiled a list of the country’s top online computer science master’s degree programs, as seen below, along with varying tuition costs from one school to the next.

1. University of Illinois

Tuition: $1,000 per credit

Description: UI’s online computer science curriculum is  “oriented toward software and information assurance and systems security and are most appropriate for students interested in the design, analysis, and implementation of software and security,” according to the university. The Computer Science Department enrolls just 12 online graduate students each fall semester.

2. Purdue University

Tuition: $3,333 for every three-credit course

Description: Purdue, which launched the nation’s first-ever computer science program, “provides the depth and breadth of knowledge needed to keep pace with rapid changes in technology and to assume leadership positions in development and deployment of software solutions,” according to the university. “Included among the offerings are courses in system software, computational methods and algorithms, computer security and cryptography, data mining, information retrieval, machine learning, and parallel and distributed systems.”

3. Johns Hopkins University

Tuition: $3,175 per credit

Description: Online computer science students have nine areas of focus from which to choose: software engineering, systems, theory, information security, database and knowledge management, bioinformatics, visualization and human-computer interaction, data communications and networking, distributed computing, according to Johns Hopkins. The university’s program was designed to “prepare technical professionals to thrive in this rapidly evolving field, and also update the skills and abilities of professionals in other engineering and scientific disciplines,” according to the university. “The program covers theory, analysis, design, and implementation of information systems.”

4. University of Minnesota

Tuition: $1,214.17 per credit for up to six credits, with rates reduced gradually for taking more than six credits per semester.

Description: Students in the online master’s degree program will benefit from “coursework from across a broad spectrum of theoretical and applied computer science, combined with research opportunities in nearly all areas of the field,” according to the university. “The faculty of the graduate program advise students in such areas as algorithms and theoretical computer science; numerical, parallel, and high-performance computing; distributed computing and sys­tems; artificial intelligence, robotics, and computer vision; databases and data mining; human-computer interaction and information systems; graphics and visualization; software engineering and programming languages; computer architecture and compilers; networking; bio-informatics and computational biology; and computer security.”

5. Drexel University

Tuition: $1,045 per credit

Description:  Drexel’s online computer science degree program is based on “career-oriented coursework that places equal emphasis on theory and practice to prepare students for work on the cutting edge of technology,” according to the school. “This lauded graduate computer science program furnishes students with an in-depth understanding of core and advanced topics in computer science, teaching students how to use the latest tools to model and solve real world problems. The curriculum provides a solid foundation and training for practicing computational scientists, computer specialists and software engineers looking to advance their careers in business, industry or government.” The program incorporates an “interactive e-Learning methodology and administration designed to challenge and engage students, yet remain flexible and convenient for busy working professionals.”

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