Software engineering programs emphasize the technical skills you need to lead the end-to-end design and development of computer programs and applications — skills that employers increasingly value in today's tech-driven world.
In this guide, we offer a comprehensive look at some of the best online software engineering degrees of 2025. We selected the programs using proprietary methodology, which takes into account factors such as affordability, student outcomes, school reputation, and diversity. This way, we can identify schools that deliver exceptional value to distance learners.
Read on to explore the top-ranked online software engineering programs and a guide on how to choose the best one for you.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Software Engineering Degrees of 2025
Why You Should Get a Software Engineering Degree
Develop Comprehensive Skills: Software engineering programs teach the technical knowledge you need to bridge both the development and managerial aspects of designing and building software.
Enjoy Career Flexibility: Beyond working in software development, you may also find employment opportunities in product management, quality assurance, user experience, and other specialized technical areas.
Become Competitive Globally: Software development is one of the world's most in-demand technology specializations. A degree in this field can help open the door to employment opportunities for you across the globe.
Benefits of Getting a Software Engineering Degree Online
According to our 2025 Online Education Trends Report:
98% of all online students — current, prospective, and graduates — who were surveyed said they would recommend online education.
90% of the online program graduates said their studies have had or will have a positive return on investment.
79% of the online program graduates felt their studies prepared them well for the first job after graduating.
How to Choose the Best Program for You
Every student has different priorities and needs, but program costs and length, application requirements, and accreditation status consistently rank among the most important considerations.
Explore these and other key factors in detail below:
Cost and Financial Aid
Bachelor's in Computer and Information Sciences, 2020
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $11,480
Avg. Net Price: $7,384
On-Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $19,747
Avg. Net Price: $11,074
Source: National Center for Education Statistics' PowerStats
As shown in the table above, tuition and fees for online computer and information sciences degrees — which include software engineering programs — cost $11,480 on average. That's less than traditional face-to-face programs, which cost $19,747 on average.
Financial aid can lower this price further. The average net price of an online software engineering degree — which is the amount you actually pay out of pocket after financial aid — is $7,384.
However, figures quoted here are only averages. Actual costs can differ depending on factors like per-credit price, residency status, and financial aid availability. For example, out-of-state students at the University of Arizona pay about triple the tuition of their in-state counterparts — $35,628 compared to $11,210.
To compare tuition costs between schools, compare the rates for in-state, out-of-state, and online students. Also, factor in additional fees such as technology or course surcharges, and use each school's net price calculator to estimate your actual cost after financial aid.
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Program Length
Typical # of Credits
120 Credits
Typical Program Length
4 Years
If you're a first-time, first-year software engineering student, it will likely take four academic years (approximately 120 credits) of full-time study to graduate. But a part-time schedule will extend this timeline, usually by about 1-3 years.
If that's your case, you may have multiple options to finish faster. These include:
Transferring credits from your previous college coursework
Enrolling in an accelerated program
Studying during summer breaks
Qualifying for credits through tests or assessments (like International Baccalaureate assessments)
These options can dramatically reduce your time to graduation. For example, Bellarmine University has a completion timeline of just one year if you study for three consecutive semesters and transfer the maximum number of credits allowed from previous college coursework or competency assessments.
With this in mind, comparing program length and credit policies is important because it helps you determine how quickly — and affordably — you can complete your degree.
Application Requirements
Application requirements for software engineering programs typically include:
High school or GED diploma
Strong academic background in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields (preferred)
SAT/ACT scores (requirements vary by school)
Letters of recommendation
However, these aren't universal. For example, the University of Minnesota-Crookston doesn't mention letters of recommendation among its application requirements. Still, even if a school doesn't explicitly require letters of recommendation, it's always a good idea to verify whether submitting them is optional or recommended to strengthen your application.
Before submitting an application, make sure you meet the school's application requirements. Otherwise, you risk spending time and money on applications unlikely to succeed.
Accreditation
Attending a properly accredited institution is key to ensuring you're receiving a quality education. It's also a requirement if you want to qualify for federal financial aid and guarantee your academic credits are valid at other institutions.
When comparing programs, look an institutional endorsement from one of these main institutional accrediting bodies:
Some software engineering programs also have optional endorsements from specialized accreditors such as the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
You can verify a school's accreditation status by checking the Council for Higher Education Accreditation website and the Department of Education database or directly on the school's program webpage.
Curriculum
Most software engineering programs typically include these topics as part of their core requirements:
Computing algorithms
Data structures
Object-oriented programming
Software architecture
Software engineering principles and processes
However, programs often differentiate themselves through their list of elective courses and concentration options. Review the entire curriculum and check for personalization options to ensure the coursework aligns with your personal and professional interests.
Some students might also prefer specific learning formats over others, such as project-based assignments to create a portfolio or internships that support networking opportunities. If you have any such preferences, keep them in mind and check if your preferred program offers them before applying.
Student Support
Schools often provide students with support services such as:
Academic advising
Career coaching
Library and research support
Personal counseling
Tutoring services
Some software engineering programs also maintain industry and employer partnerships, which can benefit students by offering field placements, internships, and recruitment opportunities after graduation.
Comparing these support initiatives is important, as schools that provide strong support programs to their students tend to have higher retention and completion rates. They also usually have lower average completion times — the time students need to graduate.
What Can You Do With a Software Engineering Degree?
A software engineering degree typically leads to careers in software design and development, quality assurance, and testing. However, the skills you learn through your studies also can transfer well to web development, digital design, information security, and many other adjacent fields.
The career outlook for roles in these areas remains very strong. Overall, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects significant job growth across tech occupations from 2024-2034 — about 317,700 openings per year, on average.
The following table highlights some of the most common careers you can pursue with a software engineering degree. Pay strongly depends on factors like your location, experience level, and educational or professional credentials.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Programmer | $98,670 | Write, test, debug, and maintain computer code that provides instructions for software programs and applications |
| Software Developer | $131,450 | Design, develop, test, and debug software and computer applications for mobile and desktop systems |
| Web Developers and Digital Designer | $95,380 | Create and maintain websites, design digital layouts, develop and test interactive features, and optimize user experience across web-based products and services |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,910 | Protect computer networks and systems by monitoring security measures, preventing unauthorized access, analyzing threats, and responding to cybersecurity incidents |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,790 | Evaluate organizational computing and networking systems to analyze needs, propose solutions, and implement upgrades |
Frequently Asked Questions About Software Engineering Degrees
A comprehensive 2020 study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that the average annual net price of a computer and information sciences degree was around $11,074 and $7,384 for in-person and online students, respectively.
Over a four-year bachelor's program, that works out to about $44,300 for an on-campus degree and approximately $29,500 for an online degree.
