Top 5 Online Computer Science Degree Programs

Finding The Best Online Computer Science Bachelor's Degree Programs

When starting the process of looking for an Online Computer Science Degree Program you must first know the differences between the vast amount of choices that are offered.  In this article I am going to focus on schools with Bachelor's Degree programs and not schools that may or may not excel in Graduate Degrees or various Certifications.  Another thing that you should be very careful of is online schools that are Diploma or Degree Mills.  These are unaccredited schools or universities that give you degrees that are very questionable in value in return for payment.  See the Federal Trade Commission's website about Diploma Mills. 

Methodology For Finding Quality Online Degree Programs

I'm going to use a great resource that isn't custom made for Computer Science Bachelor's Degrees but with a little bit of tweaking it will work just right.  I'm talking about the U.S. News & World Report's Best Online Bachelor's Programs rating.   They do not give rankings for individual Computer Science departments but I've done the hard work and filtered through and found the top five online Computer Science departments.  Your welcome.  :)

The Top 5 Online Computer Science Degree Programs

1. Lawrence Technological University - This is a hidden gem.  If you look at the curriculum you will know why I picked this as number one.  It may not be easy to get in the program and you may have to email or make a phone call or two but I think it will be worth your effort.
2. Colorado State University | Global Campus - I really like this program because it is very Certification heavy.  You will walk away with these Certifications; CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Project+, Microsoft SQL, Microsoft Server 2008 and the opportunity to get more plus a Bachelor's Degree!  Most Bachelor's Degree programs have classes that teach you those skills but don't give you the Certificates.  Certificates are money.
3. Bellevue University -Bellevue has a very strong core and elective set of courses.  For their Bachelor of Applied Science you can choose a Business Intelligence Emphasis, a Cybersecurity Emphasis or a Networking Emphasis.  Bellevue also offers a Computer Information Systems Degree with an Applications Development Emphasis, Business Intelligence Emphasis or a Cybersecurity Emphasis.  I am quite impressed.  
4. Post University - Post University offers Bachelor Degree programs in Computer Information Systems, Computer Information Systems / Database and Computer Information Systems / Software Development Management.  All three of these programs are very well rounded University Degree programs requiring the student to learn the foundations you would expect at any University.  The Computer Information Systems curriculum is a well rounded Computer Science program will the IS/Database is an outstanding Database program and the IS/Software Development Management is outstanding as well for Software Development.
5. American Public University - American Public University has three Bachelor of Science Degree programs in Computer Science.  Degree programs offered are Information Systems Security, Information Technology and Information Technology Management.  The Information Technology Bachelor of Science program teaches a broad spectrum of the core of the Computer Science disciplines.  The Information Systems Security Bachelor of Science program is for students interested in careers in Information Security or Information Assurance.  The Information Technology Management Bachelor of Science program is for students looking to go into the Management field of Information Technology while having a firm understanding of the Computer Science field.

Finding More Online Computer Science Degree Programs

You can do what I did and dig through the US News & World Report's Best Online Bachelor's Programs and find out which schools offer Computer Science Programs.  I was a little picky and actually looked at the curriculum and decided if it was worth while.  Hope you found this helpful.

Please feel free to comment.