The Top Online Master’s in Software Engineering Degrees 2024

Learn what you can do with an online master’s in software engineering and where this degree can take you.

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Updated April 11, 2024

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The tech landscape is only getting more complicated and specialized, making it a good time for you to consider a master’s degree in software engineering. Here are the best online software engineering programs of 2024, including our top-rated school, California State University, Fullerton (CSUF).

The research team at BestColleges ranked colleges based on metrics like affordability, student outcomes, reputation, and diversity and social mobility. Overall, California State University, Fullerton, ranked highest due to its high retention rate and affordability.

CSUF boasts an 87% retention rate and a 71% graduation rate.
Tuition comes in at less than $7,200 a year, making it one of the most affordable graduate programs on the list.
CSUF also has one of the lowest federal student loan default rates compared to others on the list — less than 1%. (A high federal student loan default rate may signal that graduates are having difficulty making their student loan payments.)

Prefer a bigger cohort? While costlier than CSUF, Carnegie Mellon University is the largest program on our list, with a graduating class size of 140 students. It also reports the highest graduation rate, at 93%.

For a smaller class size, check out Texas Tech University, number two on our list. It had a graduating class of just four people and a tuition price of just $7,000 per year.

Keep reading for the full list of top online master’s programs in software engineering of 2024.

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In this Article

Best Online Software Engineering Master’s Degrees 2024

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA4 yearCampus + Online

$7,176

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,680

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

59%

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,742

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,622

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

40,738

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,176

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,680

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,176

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,680

Acceptance Rate

59%

Online Enrollment

80%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,742

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,622

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

40,738

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$6,956

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,136

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

68%

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,935

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,204

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

40,542

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,956

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,136

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,956

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,136

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment

68%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,935

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,204

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

40,542

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND4 yearCampus + Online

$7,293

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,940

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

95%

Acceptance Rate

47%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,951

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,426

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

12,461

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,293

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,940

North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,293

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,940

Acceptance Rate

95%

Online Enrollment

47%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,951

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,426

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

12,461

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,898

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

94%

Acceptance Rate

74%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

28,021

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,898

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,898

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

74%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

28,021

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

DePaul University

Chicago, IL4 yearCampus + Online

$17,951

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,951

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

69%

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,361

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,361

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

21,670

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,951

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,951

DePaul University

Chicago, IL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,951

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,951

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

66%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,361

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,361

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

21,670

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$36,234

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$36,234

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

83%

Acceptance Rate

50%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$54,766

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

23,216

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$36,234

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,234

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$36,234

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,234

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment

50%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$54,766

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

23,216

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Stevens Institute of Technology

Hoboken, NJ4 yearCampus + Online

$38,076

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$38,076

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

53%

Acceptance Rate

37%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,780

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$54,780

Retention Rate

93%

Students Enrolled

8,287

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$38,076

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,076

Stevens Institute of Technology

Hoboken, NJ4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$38,076

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,076

Acceptance Rate

53%

Online Enrollment

37%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,780

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$54,780

Retention Rate

93%

Students Enrolled

8,287

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Washington State University

Pullman, WA4 yearCampus + Online

$12,076

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$26,526

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

86%

Acceptance Rate

29%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,457

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,773

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

29,843

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,076

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,526

Washington State University

Pullman, WA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,076

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,526

Acceptance Rate

86%

Online Enrollment

29%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,457

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,773

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

29,843

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV4 yearCampus + Online

$10,332

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$26,676

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

90%

Acceptance Rate

54%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,144

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,824

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

25,474

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,332

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,676

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,332

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,676

Acceptance Rate

90%

Online Enrollment

54%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,144

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,824

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

25,474

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$46,441

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$46,441

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

14%

Acceptance Rate

31%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$57,560

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$57,560

Retention Rate

97%

Students Enrolled

15,057

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$46,441

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,441

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$46,441

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,441

Acceptance Rate

14%

Online Enrollment

31%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$57,560

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$57,560

Retention Rate

97%

Students Enrolled

15,057

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

What Can I Expect From an Online Master’s in Software Engineering Program?

Those considering online master’s degrees in software engineering usually have some relevant experience. Candidates for this degree typically enjoy creative problem-solving, designing with innovation in mind, keeping up with the latest tech trends, and working in team environments.

In addition to generalist coursework, many schools now offer a variety of concentrations to help you build knowledge in specific discipline areas. Concentration offerings vary among schools, but common ones include:

Most programs entail 30-40 credits and require two years of full-time study or three years of part-time study. Some accelerated degrees allow graduation in as little as 15 months.

When preparing for graduate school, make sure you understand what your prospective degree requires. If you majored in a different subject for your bachelor’s, you may need an internship for some hands-on experience.

Be prepared to write a thesis, too. Programs for students interested in research or academia often require a thesis project.

What Courses Will I Take in an Online Master’s in Software Engineering Program?

Natural Language Processing: Students learn to design a variety of applications, translate between languages, and answer questions. Topics include deep neural networks, text-to-speech generation, natural language understanding, language modeling, and natural language generation.
Software Engineering Processes: This course examines emerging processes within software engineering. Covered topics may include the software development life cycle; service-oriented architectures; database access technologies; waterfall, Scrum, and Agile development processes; and mobile-based event programming.
Software Management Theory: Students explore the relationships among knowledge creation, culture, business context, software development processes, and organizational structure. The course also covers ethics for software engineers using real-world case studies and applications.
Software Quality Assurance and Testing: Designed for use in the validation process, this course looks at the criteria and methods for software unit testing and integration, function and system performance measurements, and common modes of reliability evaluation.
Software Security Technologies: This course serves software engineers who build apps that require data sensitivity and protection. The class explores the tools and methods available for developing secure, centralized technologies able to withstand cyberattacks.

How Do I Get Into a Software Engineering Master’s Program?

Graduate admission guides vary substantially among programs. Still, most online and on-campus admissions departments look for the same traits: Candidates with STEM-related bachelor’s degrees.

Competitive programs may also ask for programming examples from you, or ask you to participate in an interview.

Application:College application systems typically accept both online and mailed applications. Most applications for master’s in software engineering degrees ask for basic information such as your full name, mailing address, date of birth, and citizenship status.
Test Scores: Many graduate-level programs have stopped requiring standardized test scores, especially for students with high undergraduate GPAs or significant relevant experience. Still, some expect you to provide GRE scores. In this case, leave plenty of time for GRE prep.
Letters of Recommendation: Most master’s in software engineering programs ask for 2-3 recommendation letters from people who can speak to candidates’ preparedness for graduate-level study. Mentors such as professors, supervisors, volunteer overseers, and faith leaders can write letters of recommendation.
Resume and Work Experience: Work experience requirements can vary among programs. At Carnegie Mellon University, admitted students for the master’s in software engineering program showed an average of four years of software engineering experience. When creating a college application resume, make sure you understand each program’s expectations.
Essay: When writing a graduate school essay, try to stand out from other candidates by saying something memorable. In addition to highlighting life and professional experiences, discuss why you want to earn a master’s in software engineering, how you plan to use the degree, and why you want to attend this particular program.
Official Transcripts: Official transcripts serve several purposes. They signal to admission officers whether a candidate meets undergraduate prerequisite requirements. Transcripts also help admission officers verify your GPA. For transfer students, transcripts can show which credits may transfer over to the new program.

How Much Is an Online Master’s in Software Engineering Degree?

Online graduate programs tend to charge lower tuition rates than in-person degrees. For distance-education programs, schools don’t have to maintain libraries, classrooms, offices, or cafeterias, and they pass on some of these cost-savings to students.

Before you choose a program based on tuition, calculate the real cost of attendance. Some public colleges and universities charge in-state tuition to out-of-state learners as a way of attracting more students.

Some private colleges may be more affordable than you think because they have fewer restrictions about where they spend their funds — and often provide profitable financial aid packages.

Average Annual Cost of a Master’s in Software Engineering Degree

Online

$10,877

In-Person

$16,750

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

What Can I Do With an Online Master’s in Software Engineering Degree?

An online master’s in software engineering is a versatile, market-friendly degree that can open up potentially lucrative and engaging careers.

With a background in both computer science theory and software design principles, graduates can pursue roles in database administration, network systems management, cybersecurity analysis, or web development.

In addition to a master’s degree, some employers may require entry-level IT experience. Employers may also require professional certifications such as CompTIA’s IT fundamentals certification for web developers.

Software engineering master’s graduates can pursue doctoral work in software engineering or a related field. With a Ph.D. or professional doctorate, software engineers can become researchers or postsecondary teachers.

Software Engineering Career Paths
Jobs	Details	Salaries (May 2023)
Computer and Information Research Scientists	Computer and information research scientists push the boundaries of knowledge in the field by creating new technologies./td>	$145,080
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers	These computer science professionals build, maintain, and test new programs and applications.	$101,800
Computer and Information Systems Managers	Computer and information systems managers provide oversight to a company’s information technology resources.	$169,510
Database Administrators and Architects	Database architects design and build the data storage and retrieval systems that administrators use to secure information.	$101,510
Computer Programmers	Computer programmers write, test, and modify the code that runs applications and programs.	$99,700

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

How Do I Choose an Online Software Engineering Program?

With so many online software engineering programs competing for your attention, how do you know which one to choose? The factors below are just a handful of considerations to keep in mind.

You also want to think about the school’s career services support, alumni network, and financial aid packages available.

Accreditation: In addition to understanding online college accreditation, look for a master’s in software engineering with programmatic accreditation. ABET accredits software engineering programs.
Cost: Cost is a significant deciding factor for a master’s in software engineering. Make sure you understand the true program cost of any potential program. Compare the cost of online programs to on-campus programs.
Location: Decide whether to attend college online or on campus. Understand how location factors into this decision. Fully online programs with no in-person components allow you to select a school anywhere in the country. Programs with campus-based requirements may require you to live closer.
Program Format: Online master’s in software engineering programs commonly offer both part-time and full-time options. Some also offer accelerated pathways for motivated learners. Consider whether synchronous or asynchronous formats work best with your learning style.
Student Support:Student services offerings can make a huge difference. Top-tier programs often offer college mentorship opportunities and help students find great internships. If you plan to pursue distance learning, make sure to ask about support services for online learners.

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