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2023 Most Affordable Master's in Computer Science Online

By the OnlineU team | Updated 12/16/2022
2023 Most Affordable Online Degrees Badge

An affordable online master's degree in computer science seeks to teach advanced knowledge of computer hardware, software, programming languages, networks, and databases. Students can often select a concentration in these or other focus areas to help tailor their studies to their intended careers. Depending on their specialty, graduates might pursue jobs as network architects, database administrators, information security analysts, or many other tech-related roles.

If you're undecided about this degree, you might consider an online master's in cybersecurity instead. Master's degrees in computer engineering or software engineering may also appeal to you, but these programs mainly accept applicants with engineering backgrounds.

View our methodology for details about rankings or learn more about us. You can also check out our overall list of the most affordable online degrees for some inspiration.

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All tuition numbers were manually collected and verified
Rank School Locations Annual Tuition
# 1 #1 Georgia Southwestern State University Americus (GA) $3,855
# 2 #2 The University of West Florida Pensacola (FL) $4,250
# 3 #3 Fort Hays State University Hays (KS) $4,478
# 4 #4 Fitchburg State University Fitchburg (MA) $4,934
# 5 #5 Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta (GA) $4,950
# 6 #6 Columbus State University Columbus (GA) $5,593
# 7 #7 Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau (MO) $5,921
# 8 #8 Jacksonville State University Jacksonville (AL) $6,150
# 9 #9 The University of Texas at Austin Austin (TX) $6,667
# 10 #10 Southern Arkansas University Magnolia (AR) $7,395
#1
#1
Annual Tuition: $3,855
Annual Tuition: $3,855
Annual Tuition: $3,855

Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) is a public institution with a Master of Science in Computer Science degree. This program contains 30 credit hours, which full-time students may complete in two years.

GSW uses two different digital learning platforms, called GeorgiaVIEW and GoVIEW, to host asynchronous online course content. Students log in to one of these to complete courses such as Distributed Web Applications, Data Mining, and Cloud Computing and Security. This degree's curriculum aims to create generalist practitioners who can pursue a variety of possible careers after graduating. Online learners may complete an optional internship in person at an approved location in their community.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 95%
  • Average SATs: 940 -1120
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 604
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 208
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: SACS COC
#2
#2
Annual Tuition: $4,250
Annual Tuition: $4,250
Annual Tuition: $4,250

The University of West Florida (UWF), a public school, offers a Master of Science in Computer Science degree featuring 30 credit hours of coursework. This degree can take about three years to finish with a full-time schedule.

UWF uses Canvas as its learning platform for both synchronous and asynchronous online courses. This master's degree aims to teach skills in parallel computing, networking, data analytics, and artificial intelligence automation. Some required classes include Advanced Algorithms and Database Systems. Enrollees can choose a concentration in software engineering or data analytics to help focus their education. Before graduating, each student must complete either a written thesis or an approved computer science project over two semesters.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 90%
  • Average SATs: 1080 -1260
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,893
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 2,452
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: SACS COC
#3
#3
Annual Tuition: $4,478
Annual Tuition: $4,478
Annual Tuition: $4,478

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public school offering a Master of Science in Computer Science. This 33-credit-hour program might take two years with a full-time course load.

FHSU uses the Blackboard learning platform to deliver online classes, including some synchronous and some asynchronous courses. This degree has a generalist curriculum design that covers subjects such as programming, database management, and operating systems. Some required classes are Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery, Digital Imaging Processing, and a capstone project course in which students use all the knowledge and skills they've gained.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 96%
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 4,411
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 2,453
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: HLC
#4
#4
Annual Tuition: $4,934
Annual Tuition: $4,934
Annual Tuition: $4,934

Fitchburg State University (FSU) is a public university that features an online, 33-credit Master of Science in Computer Science degree. Full-time students may finish this program in two years.

FSU's online students use the Blackboard digital learning platform to access coursework. Faculty for this master's degree try to prepare students for the workforce by teaching skills in computer science theory, algorithms, and systems design. The core required courses include Theory of Computation, Object Oriented Analysis and Design, and Advanced Mathematics for Computer Scientists. Although there are no concentrations, enrollees can choose to write a master's thesis using original research on an approved topic.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 91%
  • Average SATs: 990 -1150
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 385
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 1,402
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: NECHE
#5
#5
Annual Tuition: $4,950
Annual Tuition: $4,950
Annual Tuition: $4,950

The public Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) has an online Master of Science in Computer Science degree. This program features 30 credit hours of coursework and a choice of four concentrations: computational perception and robotics, computing systems, interactive intelligence, and machine learning. Students typically finish this degree in three years but can take up to six.

The institute's online students use Canvas as their learning management platform for mainly asynchronous courses. By requiring a specialization, the curriculum seeks to produce experts in a focused area of computer science. Some of the program's foundational classes include Introduction to Operating Systems, Secure Computer Systems, and Software Development Process.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 69%
  • Average SATs: 1300 -1510
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 474
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 12,827
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: SACS COC

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