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What is an online computer science degree?

Computer science degrees generally aim to teach you the basic mathematical and scientific concepts behind computers and their programs. A degree in computer science can have you designing software and hardware, learning programming languages, data structures, and artificial intelligence concepts. Computer science degrees might require mathematics, statistics, or engineering courses.

Demand for graduates with a CS degree is high, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Additionally, NACE’s data suggests the salary for new CS graduates is projected to increase by 7.1 percent for the class of 2021 as compared to the class of 2020.

A variety of factors have resulted in the increased demand for CS degree holders. Along with the world's ever-evolving reliance on technology, there’s also an increased demand for virtual capabilities, particularly after the spike in remote work caused by COVID-19. Other factors at play include the growing emphasis on cloud computing, information security, and big data collection, storage, and analysis.

Why get a computer science or engineering degree?

Computer and information technology (IT)-related careers are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations in the coming years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Earning a computer science degree opens up numerous career opportunities. And that doesn’t necessarily mean working at a Silicon Valley software company.

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Earn your degree from a top university.

Earn your online computer science degree from leading universities around the globe without having to relocate or commute. You can change your entire career trajectory from your couch, all at your own pace.

Build broadly applicable technical skills.

Just about every industry uses technology. That means you can apply what you learn in your computer science program to the field you’re most passionate about.

Prepare for a high-paying job.

Earning a CS degree could open up career pathways in high-paying fields like software engineering, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. The median annual wage for computer and IT jobs in the United States was $97,430 in 2021, according to the BLS.

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Apply your creativity to a growing field.

Use the technical know-how from your degree to come up with creative solutions to real-world problems as part of your day-to-day work.

What do computer science students have to say?

Hear from current students and graduates who've studied at top universities on Coursera about what it's like to earn your computer science degree online.

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I feel great that I got the opportunity to work with one of the best universities on my own schedule. It will elevate my life, and my family's life overall, to help me grow my career into the latest technology trends.

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"The program was an opportunity for me to enhance my capacity to be a problem solver on a global scale."

— Mary-Brenda A.

BSc Computer Science
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The theoretical background that I am getting from the Illinois MCS program I am able to use a lot of those ideas on a day-to-day basis.

Types of computer science degrees

Computer science is a broad field that encompasses everything from computer systems to networks, to cybersecurity. An online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science will typically take around four years to complete if you attend school full-time, as most programs require you to complete 120 to 128 credits. After earning your bachelor's degree, you might be qualified for entry-level jobs as a software developer, software engineer, database administrator, or systems analyst.

If you want to advance your career or get into a high-level job as a computer and information research scientist, you might choose to pursue a master's degree. Earning a Master of Computer Science usually requires you to complete 30 to 45 credits, which some full-time students accomplish in 18 months to two years.

While online degree programs in computer science and electrical engineering vary from school to school, you may be able to choose a specialization or concentration like:

Cybersecurity
Embedded Systems
Power Electronics
Cloud Computing
Deep Learning for Health Care
Internet of Things (IoT)
Big Data and Data Mining
Blockchains and Cryptography
Machine Learning and AI
Web and Mobile Development
Games Development
Virtual Reality
User Experience (UX)
Learn more about computer science degrees

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Computer Science Degrees

A master's degree in computer science is a graduate degree focused on advanced computer programming, generally to prepare the student for a variety of professional technical challenges. A computer science master's degree is a good fit for someone with a computer science undergraduate degree or a strong foundation in computer science looking to formalize their experience.

Yes. Completing a computer science degree online allows you to study from home with the same curriculum and professors as on-campus programs. Some online degree programs offer greater flexibility. You can continue to work, take care of family, or keep up with other obligations while earning your degree.

The time, effort, and monetary investment of earning a degree potentially opens up well-paying job opportunities in many in-demand fields. Check the job requirements of some positions you’d like to apply to in the future to see if a computer science degree aligns with your career goals.

The median annual salary for computer and information technology occupations in the United States was $97,430 in May 2021, according to the BLS. This is more than twice as high as the median annaul wage for all occupations ($45,760). Your salary will depend on a number of factors, including your prior experience, location, industry, and level of education.

Earning a computer science degree opens up numerous career opportunities. Studying computer science could lead to a career in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, robotics, computer forensics, ethical hacking, video game design, health informatics, internet of things (IoT), or user experience (UX) design, among others. Read more about these and other possible computer science career paths.

Computer science degrees generally aim to teach you the basic mathematical and scientific concepts behind computers and their programs. A degree in computer science can have you designing software and hardware, learning programming languages, data structures, and artificial intelligence concepts. Computer science degrees might require mathematics, statistics, or engineering courses.

A degree or specialization in information technology can teach students essential systems and networking concepts, security practices, and application development. Similar fields of study can be called information systems.