In today’s marketplace, the best online Master’s in Computer Programming degrees are some of the wisest investments you can make in terms of higher education. No economic sphere is booming quite as massively as the computer science market. In today’s increasingly digital landscape, those who know how to program computers will only become more valuable to companies all across the world.
Featured Programs
You don’t even need to attend a physical university to get your master’s anymore. Instead, you can attend class entirely online and get the same quality of education as you would have in person.
What is a Master’s in Computer Programming Degree?
A Master’s in Computer Programming degree, also called a Computer Science degree depending on the school, is a continuation of a general Bachelor of Computer Science degree. It continues the education you would’ve received in your first years of higher education and focuses more deeply on the principles of coding and computer use.
Many degree programs offer specializations so you can focus your educational efforts on certain career paths. For instance, some tracks allow you to focus on software programming while others might have an emphasis on artificial intelligence. It’s all up to you and your preferences. Keep in mind that some specializations might be more lucrative in the near future than others.
See Also: How Hard is it to Get a Job in Computer Science?
How Much Can You Earn with a Master’s in Computer Programming Degree?
Computer science and related fields are excellent investments from an economic standpoint. However, your exact salary will depend on your position within a company and what computer-focused work you actually do.
Basic computer programmers can expect a salary of around $60,000 per year. But computer project leads can easily reach into the six-figure range, and specialized programmers that can write in a niche code can earn even more.
You could also try a Master’s in Computer Science with a focus on the language you want to learn. If you want to build the machines that run the code, consider a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering.
What is Required for a Master’s in Computer Programming Degree?
A Master’s in Computer Programming degree usually requires a bachelor’s in a related field like computer science. This is because you need a lot of foundational knowledge to grasp the advanced concepts present in the coursework.
In general, you’ll also need an advanced understanding of these subjects:
- Mathematics
- Programming, usually in C++
- Electrical engineering
- Statistics
What Are the Best Master’s in Computer Programming Degrees?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.
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Johns Hopkins University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $52,170(in state) / $52,170(out of state)
- Exceptional online assistance
- Opportunity for networking with students/instructors
- Advisor assistance is frequent
School Wide
Program Level
100%OSR ScoreJohns Hopkins offers a computer science degree with potential concentrations in communications for networking. You can attend either online or through a combination of online and in-person appearances. The online program is highly structured and focuses on guided learning with plenty of assistance from instructors.
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University of Southern California
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $43,200(in state) / $43,200(out of state)
- Low credit hour requirement
- Plenty of application deadlines
- Opportunities for specialization
School Wide
Program Level
97%OSR ScoreThis degree only requires 28 credit hours for completion, making it one of the easiest to attain in terms of time spent. It prepares you by providing a solid foundation of computer science knowledge while allowing for emphasis in certain specialization areas.
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Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $13,393(in state) / $13,393(out of state)
- Broad, useful specializations
- Plenty of dates to start studying
- Tuition reimbursement options available
School Wide
Program Level
95%OSR ScoreThis program requires a whopping 48 credit hours to complete in total. It offers three different concentrations that are broad enough to prepare you for multiple career paths. The program has classes begin every eight weeks so you can jump in at any point and start your journey. You can even take classes on your smartphone.
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Dakota State University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $5,665(in state) / $10,575(out of state)
- Can start any time
- Allows for specialization
- Low credit hour requirement
School Wide
Program Level
89%OSR ScoreIn this 30-credit-hour program, you’ll take a solid series of core classes, then expand your knowledge with five additional specialization courses depending on your interests. There are also plenty of approved electives to choose from. The program is year round with plenty of start dates.
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Stanford University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $48,987(in state) / $48,987(out of state)
- Offers excellent networking opportunities
- Don’t need to have a CS bachelor’s degree
- Automatically assigned advisor
School Wide
Program Level
88%OSR ScoreStanford’s 45-unit program is one of the lengthiest you’ll find. It generally takes three to five years to complete but provides an extensive knowledge base for heading into the computer programming job marketplace. It offers multiple areas of focus so you can specialize your courses to your future career.
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Illinois Institute of Technology
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $28,903(in state) / $28,903(out of state)
- Offers multiple completion pathways
- Accepts applicants without CS bachelor’s degrees
- Allows for credit transfers
School Wide
Program Level
87%OSR ScoreThis program needs 32 credit hours to be completed and does not offer specialization. There are three different completion pathways based on your preference for a thesis, a project or a coursework only program.
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Purdue University Global-Main Campus
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $7,680(in state) / $7,680(out of state)
- Opportunity for intense specialization
- Diverse course list
- Low credit hour requirement
School Wide
Program Level
84%OSR ScoreThis 30-credit-hour program provides you with up to six different specializations within computer engineering or electrical engineering. There are even two further professional paths to increase your expertise in a given area. This specialization is well-suited for students who know exactly what they want to do.
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Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $13,788(in state) / $28,568(out of state)
- Offers opportunities to specialize
- Low credit hour requirements
- Plenty of application deadlines
School Wide
Program Level
83%OSR ScoreThis program requires 30 credits for completion. It offers specializations through four different computer science pathways depending on your preference or the prospective job market. About half of your credits will be dedicated to the specialization or can be free electives.
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Boston University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $50,980(in state) / $50,980(out of state)
- Great school for networking
- Diverse course list and focus choices
- Ability to shorten program if efficient
School Wide
Program Level
82%OSR ScoreBoston University’s 40-credit-hour program can be completed in less than two years and offers seven different concentrations based on fast-growing sectors of the job market. There are plenty of opportunities to network and socialize with others in the field as well.
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Lewis University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $14,310(in state) / $14,310(out of state)
- Can be completed quickly
- Very customizable class schedule
- Focuses available
School Wide
Program Level
82%OSR ScoreThis 33-credit-hour program offers a customizable and market-relevant education that can be personalized for your needs or research focuses. All of the classes are taught by experienced faculty and the entire program can be completed in as little as one year with the right dedication and schedule.
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University of Michigan-Dearborn
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $11,712(in state) / $20,344(out of state)
- May offer admission based on graduate-level work
- Opportunities to specialize
- Can choose between project or thesis for graduation
School Wide
Program Level
82%OSR ScoreThis program requires 30 credit hours for completion and schedules all of its classes during late afternoons or evenings if you want to “attend” at the same time as in-person students. There are seven different concentration areas to choose from in addition to the core curriculum.
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $15,186(in state) / $28,773(out of state)
- Excellent course options
- Low credit requirement
- Potential data science specialization track
School Wide
Program Level
81%OSR ScoreThis program offers extreme flexibility and convenience while maintaining academic rigor and focus. The same certificates offered on campus are offered online. The degree program only requires 32 credit hours for completion and its classes offer education in diverse, cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.
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Bellevue University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $10,170(in state) / $10,170(out of state)
- Affordable for all
- Offers opportunity for specialization
- No application fee
School Wide
Program Level
81%OSR ScoreThis 36-credit-hour program combines theory with active learning and presents advanced computer science concepts from various sources. Potential career applications are diverse. Most class credits are for core classes, but some specialization is available.
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North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $8,492(in state) / $23,967(out of state)
- No thesis needed
- All courses are streamed
- No need to attend colloquia
School Wide
Program Level
80%OSR ScoreThis 31-credit program can be taken entirely online and all of its classes are streamed for maximum schedule flexibility. You can choose between four special topics courses to specialize your degree and begin working on expertise, which may be relevant for future employment plans.
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Columbia University in the City of New York
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $44,864(in state) / $44,864(out of state)
- Average GPA required for graduation
- Program specifically developed for online learning
- Accepts applicants from other degree programs
School Wide
Program Level
78%OSR ScoreColumbia’s program needs 30 credit hours for completion. Their program focuses on software systems and management and is a great starting point for students looking to get into the software industry. Its coursework provides students with a good benchmark for future specialization and study.
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Kennesaw State University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $4,851(in state) / $17,541(out of state)
- Affordable for in-state students
- All courses are taught by expert faculty
- plenty of flexible concentrations
School Wide
Program Level
77%OSR ScoreThis Master of Science in Information Technology is a 36-credit-hour program that combines core coursework with plenty of elective classes. It’s taught by proven Ph.D. professors who know what they’re talking about. There are also plenty of internships for capstone projects to choose from for networking or getting a jumpstart on your career.
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Davenport University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $13,590(in state) / $13,590(out of state)
- Simple course list
- Flexible scheduling
- Offers certificates based on your skills
School Wide
Program Level
76%OSR ScoreThis 30-credit-hour program is specialized for those who have to work a job at the same time. Even those who do not have a bachelor’s in computer science can apply and be accepted. The program can be completed in less than two years with the right dedication.
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Drexel University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $33,156(in state) / $33,156(out of state)
- Diverse course load
- Allows for applicants without a related degree
- Special tuition assistance available
School Wide
Program Level
75%OSR ScoreThis rigorous program contains plenty of thorough and in-depth courses that are nonetheless flexible to work with your schedule. There are four different specializations you can choose from to diversify your skill set when you enter into the electives portion of your course list.
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Stevens Institute of Technology
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $34,494(in state) / $34,494(out of state)
- Diverse course list
- Lots of pathways for specialization
- Class schedule is very flexible
School Wide
Program Level
75%OSR ScoreThis 32-credit-hour program offers up to ten different possible focus areas, making it one of the most flexible programs available online. There are multiple graduation pathways depending on whether or not you want to write a thesis. There are also evening only classes available.
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Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $9,917(in state) / $24,312(out of state)
- Lots of opportunity for networking
- Many opportunities for financial aid
- Fees can be negotiated
School Wide
Program Level
74%OSR ScoreThis program needs 35 credit hours for completion and offers in-depth knowledge in a wide variety of computer science areas. All of its faculty has been trained with extensive research and job experience. There is plenty of opportunity for collaboration and cooperation with fellow classmates.
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East Carolina University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $4,749(in state) / $17,898(out of state)
- Affordable for in-state students
- Offers multiple paths to admittance
- Flexible scheduling
School Wide
Program Level
74%OSR ScoreThis program requires 30 credit hours to be eligible for graduation. This program has a software systems focus that is ideal for modern workplace environments and will help a graduate be competitive in the job market place. A comprehensive examination is required midway through the program.
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The University of West Florida
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $7,088(in state) / $22,166(out of state)
- Affordable for in-state students
- Three application deadlines
- Opportunity for discussion with teachers
School Wide
Program Level
74%OSR ScoreThis is a computer science program that can be completed fully online with the help of the video conference tool. Live lectures are frequent and students are strongly encouraged to attend. The 34-credit-hour program is robust and thorough.
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University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $16,728(in state) / $25,884(out of state)
- Flexible graduation paths
- Tracks for specialization
- Advising opportunities are frequent
School Wide
Program Level
73%OSR ScoreThis program requires 31 credit hours for completion. Sixteen of these have to be taken as core classes and three of them are required to be used for a master level course that defines your program. There are multiple paths to graduation depending on your needs or schedule.
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Georgia Southern University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $6,636(in state) / $26,518(out of state)
- Affordable for in-state students
- Offers multiple paths to admittance
- Flexible scheduling
School Wide
Program Level
73%OSR ScoreThis program requires 30 credit hours for completion. It can be done in less than two years or during five semesters. Their scheduling system is flexible and perfect for people who have to work jobs at the same time. They accept applicants with either high GPAs or cumulative work experience.
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Columbus State University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $5,742(in state) / $11,952(out of state)
- Affordable for in-state students
- Low credit hour requirement
- Multiple graduation and admission pathways
School Wide
Program Level
72%OSR ScoreThis is a 30-credit-hour program that allows for plenty of course variation and different graduation tracks depending on whether or not you want to complete a thesis. There is an opportunity to shorten the time needed to complete the program if you are efficient and have the time to take extra classes.
