The Top Online Master’s in Software Engineering Degrees 2024
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2024The 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.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Software Engineering Master’s Degrees 2024
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled40,738
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment80%
- AccreditationYes
Texas Tech University
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,935
- Out-of-state$21,204
- In-State$6,956
- Out-of-state$15,136
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled40,542
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
North Dakota State University
- Fargo, ND
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,951
- Out-of-state$13,426
- In-State$7,293
- Out-of-state$10,940
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled12,461
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
East Carolina University
- Greenville, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,452
- Out-of-state$20,729
- In-State$4,749
- Out-of-state$17,898
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled28,021
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
DePaul University
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$41,361
- Out-of-state$41,361
- In-State$17,951
- Out-of-state$17,951
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled21,670
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
Drexel University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,766
- Out-of-state$54,766
- In-State$36,234
- Out-of-state$36,234
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled23,216
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
Stevens Institute of Technology
- Hoboken, NJ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,780
- Out-of-state$54,780
- In-State$38,076
- Out-of-state$38,076
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled8,287
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment37%
- AccreditationYes
Washington State University
- Pullman, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,457
- Out-of-state$25,773
- In-State$12,076
- Out-of-state$26,526
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled29,843
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
West Virginia University
- Morgantown, WV
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,144
- Out-of-state$25,824
- In-State$10,332
- Out-of-state$26,676
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled25,474
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburgh, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$57,560
- Out-of-state$57,560
- In-State$46,441
- Out-of-state$46,441
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate14%
- Students Enrolled15,057
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
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:
- Cybersecurity
- Data Analysis
- Project Management
- Software Development
- Software Architecture
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
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.
| 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 |
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.
More Questions About Master’s in Software Engineering Degrees
Yes, you can get a master’s degree in software engineering online. Earning your degree online lets you keep up with your workplace, family, or community responsibilities while continuing your education. Online degrees may also cost less than traditional programs.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed December 4, 2023.
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