This article highlights the top 8 online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science programs for 2026, selected for their exceptional student satisfaction, with all featured schools achieving an 80% or higher graduate recommendation rate. Key programs, including CU Boulder and Oregon State University, are lauded for combining rigorous academics like ABET accreditation and post-baccalaureate options with high career ROI, boasting median graduate salaries up to $122k. The analysis underscores the importance of alumni approval and strong employment outcomes, guiding prospective students toward proven, high-value educational paths in the tech industry.
2026 Selected Online Computer Science Degrees With The Most Recommendation
Choosing an online Computer Science (CS) degree is a big decision. The best way to judge a program is by seeing how many graduates recommend it. For 2026, we only looked at programs with 80% and higher recommendation scores. This ensures you pick a school where past students felt the degree was truly valuable for their career and was worth the money.
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The schools listed below mix strong education with easy online access, which is why their graduates rate them so highly.
The Most Recommended Online Computer Science Degree Programs (80%+ Approval)
We rank these schools based on how happy their graduates are with the program and its quality.
| Rank | School | Graduates (Approx.) | Yearly Cost (Tuition) | Average Pay (Median Salary) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # 1 | University of Colorado Boulder | 483 | $14,970 | $122,521 | 91% |
| # 2 | Wilmington University | 107 | $12,570 | N/A | 97% |
| # 3 | University of Illinois at Springfield | 87 | $11,025 | $96,556 | 95% |
| # 4 | Arizona State University, Online | 37 | $24,780 | $104,177 | 93% |
| # 5 | Regis University | 33 | $43,980 | $110,128 | 82% |
| # 6 | Oregon State University | 912 | $11,760 | $109,905 | 87% |
| # 7 | Lewis University | 124 | $37,882 | N/A | 81% |
| # 8 | Davenport University | 43 | $29,220 | N/A | 81% |
Note: N/A in the Average Pay column means salary information was not publicly available for those graduates.
A Detailed Look at The Best Online Computer Science Degrees
When hunting for the top online CS degree, the number of successful graduates matters, and our list proves it. These programs are all from official online schools and are ranked based on student approval, average graduate pay, and other school measures like how many students stick with the program until graduation. This data-backed view shows you where students are truly succeeding in the tech world.
Why Many Graduates Are a Good Sign
In the computer science, you need skills you can use right away. Picking a program with lots of graduates means it has a working online system that helps students get through tough lessons in coding, logic, and new technology.
Oregon State University (#6), for example, has over 900 graduates each year. A big reason for this success is its special format for people who already have a degree in another subject. They skip general classes and focus only on Computer Science, which gets them job-ready faster.
More graduates also means a bigger alumni network. This is great for finding mentors, getting job leads, and opening doors to internships and full-time roles. In CS, knowing the right people can be as important as your coding skills.
Special Features of These Top Schools
Even though all these schools offer a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, they teach things in different ways.
Checking things like how fast you can finish, what extra certificates you can get, and what subjects the teachers specialize in helps you find a program that fits your goals.
- Regis University (#5) and University of Colorado Boulder (#1) are approved by ABET. This is the top seal of approval in the industry for engineering and technology programs.
- Arizona State University’s (#4) program focuses heavily on working with real companies, and they are famous for helping graduates find good jobs. Their classes are “asynchronous,” meaning you can do them whenever it works best for you.
- Wilmington University (#2) and Lewis University (#7) are great at giving you credit for skills you already have (prior learning). This means experienced students can graduate faster and focus their degree on fast-growing areas like Artificial Intelligence.
Core Curriculum and Online Modality
To help you match your career goals to the right program, here is a breakdown of the specific curriculum focus and how the online environment works at some top-ranked schools:
| School | Curriculum Focus | Online Modality (Flexibility) |
|---|---|---|
| CU Boulder (#1) | Software Engineering & Data Science. Strong emphasis on foundational algorithms, C++/Java development, and rigorous math. | Primarily asynchronous lectures, but weekly “live” Q&A sessions are highly encouraged. Exams are generally remote-proctored to maintain academic integrity. |
| Wilmington University (#2) | Information Technology & Cyber Security. Strong focus on applied networking, security policy, and enterprise solutions. | Flexible Asynchronous. Known for being highly flexible, utilizing structured modules with heavy discussion board interaction. |
| Univ. of Illinois Springfield (#3) | Management & Information Systems. Blends traditional CS with skills needed for IT management, systems analysis, and enterprise architecture. | Hybrid/Asynchronous. The program is largely asynchronous, but some advanced project courses may require occasional synchronous teamwork or final presentation components. |
| Arizona State (#4) | Theory & Application. Allows students to select from several concentrations, including Security, Game Development, or Software Engineering. Focuses on immediate practical application. | Fully asynchronous and self-paced within the session timeline. This provides maximum flexibility for working professionals. |
| Regis University (#5) | Theoretical Foundations & Ethical Computing. Emphasis on discrete math, complexity theory, and professional ethics in technology (ABET accredited). | Scheduled Asynchronous with Optional Live Sessions. Uses fixed weekly deadlines but recorded lectures. May have mandatory proctoring for high-stakes exams. |
| Oregon State (#6) | Comprehensive Software Development. Focuses on modern software practices, mobile app development, and low-level systems programming. Excellent for career changers (Post-Bacc available). | Entirely asynchronous with weekly deadlines for assignments. Labs and group projects are done collaboratively online, often using virtual machines or cloud environments. |
| Lewis University (#7) | Artificial Intelligence & Data Science Track. Focus on machine learning principles and data structure optimization, allowing for specialization. | Semester-Based Asynchronous. Standard semester structure with flexibility within the week. Projects often mimic real-world team development environments. |
| Davenport University (#8) | Business Systems and Applied Programming. Focuses on developing applications relevant to business operations, database management, and cloud infrastructure. | Accelerated Term Structure. May run in shorter, concentrated 7- or 8-week terms. Fully asynchronous with highly structured deadlines. |
The Most Recommended Schools on Our List
High recommendation rates tell you what the school experience is really like. When you match that with high salaries, you know you’ve found a winner.
- Wilmington University (#2, 97%) and the University of Illinois at Springfield (#3, 95%) are student favorites, showing great quality and support.
- CU Boulder (#1, 91%) is highly praised and offers an outstanding average salary of over $122k, meaning the cost is easily worth the money.
- Oregon State University (#6, 87%) blends high happiness scores with strong earnings, making it a reliable pick, especially for people changing careers.
Why These Programs Are the Best
1. Great Earnings (Average Pay)
Schools like the University of Colorado Boulder, Oregon State University, Regis University, and Arizona State University Online show that their graduates earn well over $100,000. This is strong proof that the courses teach students the high-value skills needed for top jobs in tech.
2. Quality for Every Budget
This list proves that a highly recommended degree doesn’t have to be the most expensive:
- Best Value: University of Illinois at Springfield ($11,025) and Oregon State University ($11,760) offer amazing recommendation scores (95% and 87%) while having some of the lowest tuition costs on the list.
- High-Value Experience: Programs like Regis University and Lewis University cost more but still earn high marks from students, suggesting they give a very focused and high-quality learning experience.
3. Students Really Love Them
The fact that Wilmington University (97%) and the University of Illinois at Springfield (95%) have the highest approval ratings is a huge deal. It means these schools are not just good at teaching, but they also give online CS students the support and flexibility they need to succeed in a demanding field.
In Conclusion, if you can’t afford traveling from your home country to the university destination, taking an online course in computer science can be the best choice for you. this list has nailed 2026 Selected Online Computer Science Degrees With The Most Recommendation you can choose from and kickstart your career in computer science.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What does an 80%+ recommendation score mean for me?
A: It means that 80% or more of the program’s recent graduates felt the degree was worth the time and money, and they would recommend it to others. This is a strong sign of quality, career value, and student support.
Q2: Is an online Computer Science degree as good as a traditional one?
A: Yes, if the program is from an accredited, respected university like the ones on this list. Employers look for the school’s reputation and the skills you learned, not whether you were physically on campus.
Q3: What is ABET accreditation, and why does it matter?
A: ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) is the gold standard for engineering and technology programs. If a program is ABET-accredited (like CU Boulder and Regis University), it guarantees the curriculum meets rigorous global standards for technical quality.
Q4: Which program has the highest average graduate salary on this list?
A: The University of Colorado Boulder (#1) reported the highest median graduate salary at $122,521, suggesting an excellent return on investment for its graduates.
Q5: What is the most affordable recommended program?
A: The University of Illinois at Springfield (#3) has the lowest reported yearly tuition on this list at $11,025, combined with an outstanding 95% recommendation rate.
Q6: What is a “post-baccalaureate” program?
A: A post-baccalaureate program (like the one offered by Oregon State University) is designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-CS field. It allows them to earn a second bachelor’s degree in Computer Science by focusing only on the core CS courses, making the path faster.
Q7: Are the classes flexible (asynchronous)?
A: Many online programs, including Arizona State University, offer asynchronous classes. This means you do not have to log in at specific times; you can complete your work whenever it fits your personal schedule.
Q8: How important is the number of graduates?
A: A high number of graduates (like Oregon State’s 900+) indicates that the school has a well-established, successful, and reliable online learning system. It also means you will have a much larger alumni network for job hunting.
Q9: Will I get job support after graduation?
A: Yes. All major universities have career services, but programs like Arizona State are specifically known for strong industry connections and focusing on job placement for their online students.
Q10: Why are some Average Pay values listed as N/A?
A: N/A (Not Available) simply means that the specific salary data for those graduates was not publicly reported or was not available in the database used for this ranking. It does not reflect negatively on the school’s quality.
