Finding a cheap online computer science bachelor's degree doesn't mean you have to settle for a weak program. Every program in our ranking comes from an institutionally accredited school, covers core computer science skills, and can be completed entirely online.
We ranked these programs by what the whole degree costs, not the advertised per-credit rate. Some schools fold their fees into that rate. Others charge technology, term and graduation fees on top of it; these can add thousands of dollars by the time you finish.
The lowest-cost program here comes to $26,400 for a full bachelor's degree. All 10 cost under $44,000 before financial aid or transfer credit.
Cheapest Online Computer Science Degrees Compared
The accredited online computer science bachelor’s degrees on our list cost between about $26,000 and $44,000 in total.
How we estimated costs: Each total combines the CS bachelor program's published tuition with its required fees. We used the rate for out-of-state online students. Per-term fees assume full-time enrollment over eight semesters, and WGU's flat-rate terms are priced at a four-year pace. Application fees and optional book programs aren't included. Prices reflect the latest rates published on official university websites as of October 2026.
| Most Affordable Online Computer Science Bachelor's Degrees | |||
| School | Degree | Tuition Rate | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Cumberlands | B.S. in Computer Science | $220 per credit | $26,400 |
| Fort Hays State University | B.S. in Computer Science | $275.65 per credit | $33,078 |
| University of the Potomac | B.S. in Computer Science | $240 per credit | $33,950 |
| Western Governors University | B.S. in Computer Science | $4,125 per 6-month term | $34,600 |
| Central Methodist University | B.S. in Computer Science | $275 per credit | $36,125 |
| Eastern New Mexico University | B.S. in Computer Science | $4,527 per semester (full-time) | $38,351 |
| LSU Alexandria | B.S. in Computer Science | $353 per credit | $42,360 |
| Southern New Hampshire University | B.S. in Computer Science | $354 per credit | $42,480 |
| University of Arkansas Grantham | B.S. in Computer Science | $305 per credit | $42,600 |
| American Public University | B.S. in Computer Science | $360 per credit | $43,550 |
10 Most Affordable Online CS Bachelor's Degrees
1. University of the Cumberlands
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Online undergraduates at Cumberlands pay $220 per credit, and textbooks are included under the school's One Price Promise. There are no separate technology, resource or graduation fees, so $220 a credit is what you actually pay.
The major includes 52 credits of required computer science courses in programming, data structures and algorithms, operating systems, computer architecture, databases and networking.
- Est. total cost: $26,400
- Tuition: $220 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Fees: none; textbooks included
2. Fort Hays State University
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
FHSU has one low per-credit rate for online students, with fees included, and you pay the same rate whether or not you live in Kansas. At 15 credits, that comes to about $4,135 per semester.
The same BSCS is offered on campus and online. The program covers programming, data structures and algorithms, operating systems, databases and cryptography. In the software engineering course, you build, test and document a system over a full semester.
- Est. total cost: $33,078
- Tuition: $275.65 per credit, fees included
- Credits: 120
- Residency: same rate for all online students
3. University of the Potomac
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
At $240 per credit, Potomac has the lowest base tuition in our top 10. But every 3-credit course also has a $123.75 technology fee, which puts the real cost at $281.25 per credit. The total also includes two $100 fees for registration and graduation.
Tuition rates are locked for the duration of the program. Courses run in 8-week sessions, and two courses per session counts as full-time. Potomac's CS degree is also available in person at the school's Washington, DC and Virginia campuses.
- Est. total cost: $33,950
- Tuition: $240 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Technology fee: $123.75 per course
4. Western Governors University
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
WGU bills a flat $4,125 for each six-month term, plus $200 per term for e-books and learning materials. That price covers as many courses as you can finish in the term, so the total cost depends on your pace. Tuition also covers third-party certification exams built into the program, so you won't pay extra to earn them.
To keep it fair, our estimate assumes eight terms, or four years. WGU says 62% of graduates in similar programs finish within 25 months, but many of them start with transfer credit. If you finish in five terms, you'd pay $21,625. WGU's program is also the only one in our top 10 affordability ranking with ABET accreditation.
- Est. total cost: $34,600 (eight terms)
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term
- Credits: competency-based; no per-credit billing
- Recognition: ABET accredited
5. Central Methodist University
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Central Methodist's $275 online rate looks almost identical to FHSU's until you add the $25-per-credit student service fee charged on online and statewide courses. Over a full degree, that fee adds $3,000. There's also a $125 graduation fee.
- Est. total cost: $36,125
- Tuition: $275 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Fees: $25 per credit, plus $125 at graduation
6. Eastern New Mexico University
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Full-time students at ENMU pay one flat semester rate for anywhere from 12 to 18 credits, so 15 credits costs the same as 12. Online classes bump up the cost by $17 per credit.
The flat rate only helps if you go full-time. Part-time students pay $377.25 per credit, which would push the computer science degree past $45,000.
- Est. total cost: $38,351
- Tuition: $4,527 per semester for out-of-state students (tuition and fees, 12–18 credits)
- Credits: 120
- Online course fee: $17 per credit
- Registration fee: $95
7. LSU Alexandria
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
LSU Alexandria's CS degree is delivered through LSU Online at $353 per credit, with fees included and no out-of-state surcharge. LSU lists the full program cost at $42,360, which matches our estimate. If you have previous college credit, up to 75% of the degree can come from transfer.
- Est. total cost: $42,360
- Tuition: $353 per credit, fees included
- Credits: 120
- Transfer credit: up to 75% of the degree
8. Southern New Hampshire University
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
SNHU charges online undergraduates $354 per credit for 2026–27, with no application fee or mandatory tech fees. Course materials are billed separately and vary by class, so your actual total will run somewhat higher than our estimate. SNHU accepts up to 90 transfer credits, which can leave as few as 30 credits to pay for.
Students in the online CS bachelor's program can choose the general track or concentrate in one of four areas: Data Analysis, Information Security, Project Management for STEM, or Software Engineering.
- Est. total cost: $42,480
- Tuition: $354 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Transfer credit: up to 90 credits
9. University of Arkansas Grantham
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Tuition at UA Grantham is $305 per credit, plus a $50-per-credit resource fee. You don't need to buy textbooks separately, since that $50 covers books, e-books and technology.
Grantham's institutional accreditation comes from DEAC rather than one of the regional accreditors. DEAC is a recognized accreditor, but if you plan to transfer credits or apply to graduate school later, confirm that your target schools accept DEAC-accredited coursework.
- Est. total cost: $42,600
- Tuition: $305 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Resource fee: $50 per credit, books included
10. American Public University
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
APU's standard undergraduate rate is $360 per credit, but students without military affiliation qualify for a 10% Opportunity Grant, which brings tuition to $324 per credit. That would lower the total cost of the CS bachelor's to about $39,230, but we ranked APU on its standard rate since the grant is technically a discount. You'll also choose a computer science concentration, such as artificial intelligence or quantum computing.
Active-duty service members, National Guard, reservists and their families pay $250 per credit instead, for a total of about $30,350, while veterans get a 10% grant on standard tuition.
- Est. total cost: $43,550
- Tuition: $360 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Graduation fee: $350
Is There a Free Online Computer Science Degree?
There's no entirely free online CS degree, but University of the People comes close. Its online B.S. in Computer Science is tuition-free. Students pay a $180 assessment fee for each of the degree's 40 courses, plus a $60 application fee, for an estimated total of about $7,260.
We left it out of the ranking because its per-exam fee model doesn't compare cleanly with tuition-based programs. UoPeople is accredited by DEAC, so the same transfer and graduate-school caveat for UA Grantham applies here.
How Much Does an Online CS Degree Cost?
According to the College Board, average published tuition and fees for 2025-26 were $11,950 a year for in-state students at public four-year schools, $31,880 for out-of-state students and $45,000 at private nonprofit colleges. The programs in our computer science affordability ranking cost $26,400 to $43,550 for the whole degree.
Does Cheapest Mean Lower Quality?
No, affordable online computer science degrees don't automatically mean lower quality. Tuition often reflects how a school is funded and run; public subsidies, large online cohorts, competency-based pricing and reduced overhead can all keep prices down without changing what you'll learn.
Core courses like data structures, algorithms and operating systems are standard in any accredited CS degree, so look at what differs: how much math is required, which upper-level electives are offered, whether courses are instructor-led or self-paced, and whether there's a capstone project to put your skills to the test. ABET accreditation is a plus, but not a requirement.
You should also check how current the curriculum is. Programs that have added relevant courses in AI, machine learning, cloud computing and cybersecurity are more likely to keep pace with the field. If overall quality matters more to you than price, read our ranking of the Best Online Computer Science Bachelor's Degrees.
