Computers are important tools in our daily lives—connecting us to information, from the office to the classroom and our homes. If you are interested in learning the intricacies of computer technology and how it affects different industries, a career in computer science may be for you.

The program cards featured on this page were last updated in July 2022. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school.

So, what is computer science? Broadly, it is the study of computers and software systems. To enter the field, you’ll likely start out with an undergraduate degree before settling on a specialization in graduate school. For instance, you could focus on areas like interaction and robotics, networking and systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, or software engineering while earning a master’s degree.

An online master’s in computer science degree can be one way to grow your knowledge or advance your career. Many colleges and universities across the country offer part- or full-time online programs to suit your needs and professional goals.

Check out our full list of online master’s in computer science programs.

While program offerings differ, many online master’s in computer science programs have similarities. Generally, programs require learners to complete 30 to 50 credits of coursework before earning their degree. This will be a mixture of required core classes and electives. To cap off your studies, you may be required to work on a thesis or research project, or take a final exam.

When it comes to admission requirements, universities ask for different things. Some programs might require that you have a working knowledge of computer programming languages such as C++ or Java. Others have prerequisite coursework in topics like calculus.

Online programs can mirror their on-campus offerings by prioritizing interactivity through videos and more. Some online programs also include group projects with learners and other hands-on learning opportunities that may require you to visit campus several times.

By the end of your degree program, you will have acquired new skills and made career connections with peers and professionals. At that point, you also have the option to earn a Ph.D. if you are more interested in pursuing a profession in academics.

A degree in computer science can lead to a variety of fields and jobs. For example:

A computer scientist can work in many industries and branches of the field. It is a multidisciplinary vocation. For example, computer scientists who choose to go the theoretical route might end up working in academia. These professionals publish their own research, while also training the next generation of computer scientists.

Those with a specialization in analytics may find work as a business analyst. Think of these computer scientists as the “fix-it” people of the corporate world, working hard to help businesses improve how they function. They do this by identifying organizational problems and crafting solutions driven by a company’s data. They’re also responsible for setting expectations for how IT systems might run at an organization and carrying out training workshops and statistical analyses at a firm.

Another role is that of a data scientist. This is the person who collects and analyzes a company’s structured and unstructured data. They analyze, process, and model data to develop useful plans for corporations and other organizations. They are essentially wrangling and rounding up all of the data churned out by a company — some of it fits neatly into a database, while some of it includes the information generated by a businesses’ email accounts and social media feeds. A person with a computer science programming background may be able to transition into this field, but could benefit from mastering some data science skills, too.

Online computer science degrees can offer a curriculum that is equivalent to that of on-campus programs. Here’s a sampling of subjects you may study while enrolled in an online master’s program:

Analysis of algorithms. Develop the skills to understand and graph computer algorithms. Courses in this area will also enable you to optimize, randomize, and analyze algorithms so that you’re capable of applying algorithmic thinking in the real world and produce solutions involving sorting and searching.

Operating systems principles. Learn to design and implement different operating systems. Courses in this area will give you insight into process scheduling and coordination, memory management, and file system management and structuring.

Computer architecture. Evaluate computer hardware design, from memory hierarchies to run-time optimization to parallel processing, and more. Courses in this area will also expose you to vector processing and instruction sets, such as RISC and CISC.

Software engineering. Learn about software life cycle models, which include software design techniques, data flow and structures, project and risk management, and coding and testing methods. Courses in this area place an emphasis on best practices in software engineering, by industry.

Earning a degree from an online master’s in computer science program can expose you to qualified experts in the field who are currently working on real-world solutions and cutting-edge research. When assessing what program makes the most sense for your academic and career interests, consider reviewing faculty member profiles and confirming that you have access to the same faculty and mentors as on-campus learners.

It could also be helpful to look at faculty members’ work histories and published research and reports. You can determine if their work is aligned with your interests in computer science. If it is, perhaps that person could become a mentor to help guide you in forging an academic and research path of your own, or toward another professional goal.

A master’s degree can help you hone your skills in a specific concentration. With an online master’s in computer science, you can pursue jobs in information security, data analytics, software engineering, or cryptography, among others.

Choosing the right degree for you — one that will help you to advance your career—may seem overwhelming at first. But a wealth of choices can be a good thing. It allows you to compare the programs you’re most interested in, list the pros and cons of each (such as concentrations available), and determine which one aligns with your career goals. The right degree program for you should also accommodate your lifestyle. 

You may find that an online master’s degree program is the best fit for you. There are many online learning advantages. For one, people with busy schedules find flexibility with these programs while still having access to a world-class education.

Many schools also provide learners with services like online library access, career and academic counseling, and alumni connections.

Employment of computer and information technology workers will grow much faster than the average for all other occupations between 2022 and 2032—about 377,500 openings are projected each year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.

The 2022 median annual wage for jobs in this field was $100,530, according to BLS data. 

Computer and information research scientists, computer network architects, and software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are among the highest-paid professionals in the field, according to BLS data. The 2022 median annual pay for these positions were $136,620, $126,900, and $124,200 respectively.
While these estimates give you an idea of earning potential, pay varies by location, employer, industry, and more. Among computer network architects, those who worked in computer systems design earned a median annual salary of $129,230 in 2022, while those in educational services earned a median annual salary of $92,470.

You may only need a bachelor’s degree to land an entry-level computer science job, but a master’s degree may increase your pay. Carefully review job descriptions to ensure you meet the minimum educational requirements.

Here’s a list of online master’s in computer science programs currently available nationwide. Each university’s website will be the best place to find the most up-to-date information on program offerings.

Last updated December 2023.