Information technology has defined the modern business landscape and become a dominant industry of its own, with no signs of slowing down. The sector needs more well-trained professionals to match this growth—and computer science degree programs seek to meet this demand. Fortune has ranked online master’s degree programs in computer science for prospective students looking for a way to enter this flourishing industry—while taking advantage of remote education. In total, we included 13 programs in the 2022 list.
Yes—at least in terms of salary and career options. Graduates with a degree in computer science earn an average salary of $75,000, which the National Association of Colleges and Employers found was the highest salary projection for the 2022 graduating class. And that number only goes up with an advanced degree, hitting the six-figure mark and well beyond. The same association found professionals with master’s degrees in computer science, on average, earn the highest starting salaries of any graduate degree—typically with a base of around $100,000.
Neither a bachelor’s degree in computer science nor a background in technology is required to pursue a master’s in computer science, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy. An analytical mindset is a crucial identifier for success—and requires a student to look at a problem, analyze it, and find a solution (knowing that there are typically multiple solutions for every problem). Still, like any field, the key to success is motivation and drive fueled by passion.
Fortune ranked the best online master’s degree programs in computer science to help in your decision process. The final ranking is determined by measuring three different components: selectivity, success, and demand. Vanderbilt University landed the No. 1 on Fortune’s list, with an acceptance rate of 52% and average undergraduate GPA of 3.2. Rounding out the top five spots are Colorado State University, Syracuse University, DePaul University, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
On average, it takes about two years of full-time study to complete a master’s degree in computer science. But programs may have different pathways and degree requirements, so it does depend where you choose to earn your degree. There are also options for part-time study, but those have a separate set of requirements, and are often completed anywhere from three to five years. Finally, students increasingly want to gain some hands-on experience, which could add additional time to a program.
Computing is “an indispensable—if not central—part of society,” a professor and director at DePaul University’s School of Computing told Fortune. In computer science programs, students learn how to improve their IT skills and increase their understanding of software development—tools that can serve anyone in an increasingly digital world. Even so, the degree reinforces what most company’s look for in their hiring process: Problem solvers.
Although students with undergraduate degrees in computer science still have a higher starting salary than most people with that degree level, professionals with graduate degrees in computer science earn around $100,000 annually, according to PayScale. Annual salaries for graduates of master’s degree programs—such as from theNew Jersey Institute of Technology—can range from $100,000 to $200,000, and that’s just in base pay.
A degree in computer science can definitely open doors. Some more common roles include: Computer and information research scientists, computer network architects, computer programmers, and information security analysts, to name a few. But professionals with degrees in computer science are needed in so many different industries simply because almost every field has a technical component that requires that specific skill set—which means computer science-educated professionals have the ability to dive into whatever interests them. And there’s demand beyond the private sector; there’s strong demand for computer scientists with the federal, state, and local governments.
A career in computer science is dependable and stable. Job opportunities in computer science typically are well-paying and offer a flexible career path that reaches a variety of industries. What’s more, there’s high demand for people with computer science skills that’s consistently growing.
Computer science is not just coding, but it is a necessary skill for those people hoping to build a career within the industry. Because companies are looking to become more data-driven in business strategy, graduates of computer science programs are expected to provide the skills to make that possible. Rather than looking at computer science as strictly coding, think of it as problem solving—and then decide how you plan to use that skill.
