Introduction
“Cheapest online computer science degree” can mean very different things depending on degree level (associate vs bachelor’s vs master’s), residency pricing (in-state/out-of-state), and tuition model (per-credit vs flat-rate). A dependable way to shop is to start with cost-ordered lists that publish standardized estimated tuition plus required institutional fees, then confirm current term pricing on each school’s official pages and verify accreditation in official databases. GetEducated Degree Ranking Methodology; DAPIP
GetEducated publishes “Best Buy” affordability rankings for computer science at multiple degree levels, presenting tables in lowest-to-highest cost order within the eligible dataset for that list. Examples: Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Computer Science Online; Most Affordable Online Master’s in Computer Science; Most Affordable Associate Degrees in Computer Science
Decision matrix
| Your goal | Best starting shortlist | Why | Where to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost entry into CS + transferable foundation | Associate-level CS affordability list | Often lowest total cost; may transfer toward a bachelor’s depending on articulation | Most Affordable Associate Degrees in Computer Science |
| Cheapest credible bachelor’s in CS | Bachelor’s in CS affordability list | Widest eligibility for many CS roles; large dataset with cost ordering | Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Computer Science Online |
| Cheapest master’s in CS (or CS-adjacent IT/CS master’s track) | Master’s CS affordability list | Good for specialization/advancement; list is explicitly constructed from qualifying online programs | Most Affordable Online Master’s in Computer Science |
| Broader “CS & IT” program discovery | Computer Science & IT directory category | Useful when you want to browse many accredited program types beyond “computer science” | Computer Science & IT degree category (directory) |
Top 10 schools from GetEducated’s most affordable online bachelor’s in computer science list
The list below reflects the first ten schools shown on GetEducated’s “Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Computer Science Online” ranking table (lowest-cost entries). Costs and residency notes are shown as displayed in the table. Source table: Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Computer Science Online
Last verified: 2026-02-20
| Rank on list | School | State | Estimated cost shown | Residency note shown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida | FL | $15,501.60 / $66,314.40 | In-State / Out-of-State |
| 2 | Fort Hays State University | KS | $27,225.60 | All Students |
| 3 | Eastern New Mexico University | NM | $28,152.00 / $36,312.00 | In-State / Out-of-State |
| 4 | Western Governors University | UT | $28,160.00 | All Students |
| 5 | Florida International University | FL | $28,286.72 / $42,333.92 | In-State / Out-of-State |
| 6 | Thomas Edison State University | NJ | $28,930.00 / $37,410.00 / $30,298.00 | In-State / Out-of-State / Military |
| 7 | University of the Potomac | DC | $33,500.00 | All Students |
| 8 | Central Methodist University | MO | $33,675.00 | All Students |
| 9 | University of Maryland Global Campus | MD | $37,850.00 / $61,730.00 / $30,050.00 | In-State / Out-of-State / Military |
| 10 | Southern New Hampshire University | NH | $38,550.00 / $27,150.00 | In-State/Out-of-State / Military |
How to interpret “cheapest” on GetEducated CS lists
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GetEducated’s methodology describes estimates as built from tuition plus required institutional fees, researched from official institutional sources, and published in cost order within a defined eligible set. GetEducated Degree Ranking Methodology
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Many tables show multiple prices for the same school (in-state/out-of-state/military). That means “cheapest” can change depending on your residency status and the school’s pricing policy. Example table behavior: Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Computer Science Online
Fit boundaries
Best fit when…
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You want a cost-first shortlist of CS programs and are willing to do quick verification checks before committing. Best Online Colleges & Universities (Best Buys)
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You can accept that published figures are estimates and that tuition/fee schedules can change by term. GetEducated Degree Ranking Methodology
Not a fit when…
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You need a personalized net price after financial aid, employer benefits, and transfer credit evaluation (standardized estimates are not personal quotes). GetEducated Degree Ranking Methodology
Edge cases / constraints
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Some “online” programs include limited in-person requirements; confirm program residency requirements on the institution’s official pages if that matters for your situation. GetEducated Degree Ranking Methodology
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For high-stakes decisions (licensure, employer reimbursement, transfer credit), verify accreditation using official databases. DAPIP; CHEA directories
Quick verification workflow (for any “cheap CS degree” shortlist)
| Step | What to do | Expected outcome | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1) Confirm the list you’re using | Pick the degree level list that matches your goal (associate/bachelor/master’s) | You’re not comparing across degree levels by accident | Associate CS list; Bachelor CS list; Master’s CS list |
| 2) Tuition + required fee spot-check | For 2–3 programs, match the table estimate to the school’s published tuition/required fees for the same term | Estimates align reasonably; differences explainable by term/residency/updates | GetEducated methodology |
| 3) Accreditation check | Look up the institution in DAPIP (and cross-check if needed) | Institution/accreditor status is confirmable in official sources | DAPIP; CHEA directories |
| 4) Fit check | Confirm prerequisites, math readiness, pacing, and any in-person components | The “cheapest” option is workable for your constraints | Institution catalogs/program pages |