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Associate Degree in Computer Science Online Associate of Science (AS) Program

Matthew Seawright, who earned his degree from SNHU in 2019, sitting at a desk in an office working on his computer with a closed laptop on the desk.

Cost per credit $342

Total courses 20

Term length 8 weeks

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Program Overview Why get an associate degree in computer science online?

Today's computer-driven world calls for software analysts, designers and developers. With your online Associate of Science (AS) in Computer Science from Southern New Hampshire University, you're on the path to fill this demand. By learning applied programming skills using Python, Java and C++, and using design and testing tools – including Netbeans and Eclipse – you'll have the knowledge you need to support all aspects of the software development life cycle.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Principles of computing
  • Computing problem-analysis techniques
  • How to design solutions to computing problems
  • Solution implementation and evaluation
  • Professional communication skills
  • Application of computer science theory
Kyle Turner, who earned his degree in 2015, sitting in front of a large window with two laptops open in front of him.

Courses & Curriculum An Online computer science degree built for the modern workforce

With a heavy focus on experiential and applied learning, and courses that emphasize the design and development of computer software, this program will allow you to work on real-world problems while developing a digital portfolio. Upon graduating, your portfolio can give you a way to demonstrate the technical skills you have gained to potential employers.

Degree Courses

Online computer science associate degree courses

In this program, your major courses will focus on helping you hone your programming techniques, as well as your mathematical computation and quantitative reasoning skills. You'll explore topics like programming languages, data structures and algorithms, system analysis and design, the software development life cycle and operating platforms — all of which will help you deepen your understanding and feel more prepared to enter the computer science industry as a professional.

And if you choose to continue on to a bachelor's program at SNHU in an area like cybersecurity, IT or computer science, this associate degree is a great stepping stone along the way. The best part? By transferring credits from your associate degree, you'll have completed a significant portion of your bachelor's degree.

Courses may include:

Course ID: IT 140
Students will learn the fundamentals of programming concepts including data types, variables, decision statements, loops, functions and file handling. By developing simple scripts, students will understand how to use common scripting language constructs including lists, literals, and regular expressions to build useful applications.
Course ID: CS 210
Students will develop functional programs that comply with industry regulations and best practices using various programming languages. Special attention will be paid to the importance of developing code that is not only functional, but also secure, efficient, and professional.
Course ID: CS 230
Students will develop a deeper understanding of operating platforms and architectures through the analysis and evaluation of the characteristics, advantages, and weaknesses of each. Students will learn the value of utilizing software design templates as well as how to utilize them to solve problems.
Course ID: CS 250
Students will explore the stages of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) through the lens of developers and testers to examine the characteristics, documentation, and purpose of each stage. Through applying SDLC stages within an agile development environment, students will learn the principles and best practices used to develop high quality software while also assessing the impact of communication, documentation, and ethics on the SDLC.
Course ID: CS 255
Students will explore the principles, methods, and techniques used in systems development so that they can create system models using appropriate industry tools. As a part of creating system models, students will also learn to effectively communicate technical concepts and design decisions to various audiences in a professional manner.
Course ID: CS 300
This course introduces the student to developing computer models and simulation for a variety of industries. Current tools and technologies for computer modeling and simulation are covered.

Visit the course catalog to view the full AS in Computer Science curriculum.

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Upcoming term starts: October 27, 2025 | January 5, 2026

Next term starts:
September 1, 2025

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Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 91.6% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2024 survey with 8,000+ respondents.

What to expect:

8-week terms

Learn around your schedule

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Faculty Profile

Learn from instructors with industry experience

Our faculty bring with them decades of experience in the computer science field and exhibit strong leadership both in the classroom and in their professional careers. This experience informs the development of courses and curriculum that can help position graduates for success, wherever they go next.

Featured Faculty

Tim Hogg, Technical Program Facilitator - Computer Science

Tim Hogg

Tim Hogg spent time working in marketing and law enforcement before deciding to pursue his passion for software development. Since then he's earned a master's degree in IT and is now working as a director of IT. He also founded a growing software development agency.

Position
Adjunct Faculty

Joined SNHU
2018

Education

  • BS in Economics from Florida State University
  • MS in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati
  • MS in IT with a concentration in Software Application Development from Southern New Hampshire University

"We are committed to providing you with the best learning experience possible. Our ... faculty and staff continuously strive to enhance our curriculum to prepare you for a successful career in the field."

A dedicated academics team

Dr. Curtis George, associate dean, information technology at SNHU

Dr. Curtis George brings over 20 years of experience as a senior engineer. After a successful Navy career, his work informed the creation of embedded systems for military aircraft and enterprise software for NASA/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He also developed a role-playing game to acclimate international students to American campuses and created an award-winning Spanish verb conjugation mobile app. Drawing from his own experience, George knows how an associate degree in information technology can position you for success in the field.

"The world is becoming increasingly reliant on software systems and is becoming increasingly connected. With an associate degree in computer science, students can begin an exciting career as an application developer, software engineer or game developer."

Dr. Curtis George, associate dean, information technology at SNHU

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After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

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Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

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Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

Online associate tuition

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 60-credit degree*
Full- and part-time students
$342
$1,026
$20,520
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$250
$750
$15,000

*before previously earned credits are applied

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

$4,104 $8,208 $12,312 $15,390
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

If 12 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your associate degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $16,416

If 24 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your associate degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $12,312

If 36 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your associate degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $8,208

If 45 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your associate degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $5,130

How we estimate your tuition cost:

We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for an associate degree. Most associate degrees require 60 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 45 credits, requiring a minimum of 15 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.

Career Outlook What can I do with an online computer science associate degree?

Deciding to build a solid computer science skill set is a great career move. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2032.1 Earning this degree is a great first step toward an array of entry-level computer science roles.

The 2-year computer science degree online is also great option if you're already working in a computer science role and want to formalize your abilities with a degree. And if you decide you want to continue on and earn your bachelor's degree in computer science – and go even further with a master's in computer science online – you'll have the background you need to take your knowledge and skills even further.

Occupations

When you graduate from the online computer science associate degree program, you'll have developed new skills — or further developed some that you already had in your toolkit. Earning your degree and strengthening your technical expertise could help position you for computing jobs like:1

Help customers troubleshoot their computer problems by offering technical support virtually or in person. If you have a background in customer service and are adept at problem-solving, this could be a great job for you.

Design the kind of applications you're already familiar with, like word processors, presentation programs, weather apps and mobile games. You might even create customized applications or databases for clients.

Create the underlying operating systems that allow computers to function and design the computer system's user interface that allows people without coding knowledge to use computers.

Bring life to the ideas software developers create by writing the code that gives computer applications functionality.

Make administration, monitoring and maintenance of applications your responsibility. You'll be a technical point of contact, in charge of fixing application and systems issues on the spot.

25%

Increase nationally in software developer roles through 2032, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.1

$130,160

Median annual salary nationally for software developers as of May 2023, according to the BLS. In the same timeframe, computer programmers earned $99,700.1 Statistic not based on wage data for SNHU graduates.

Note: While these roles typically require candidates to hold a bachelor's degree, some employers will hire individuals with associate degrees who have experience in specific programming languages.

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not on SNHU graduate outcomes, and do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

To put it simply, computer science is the creation of technology while information technology (IT) is the application of the technology.

In computer science programs, you'll focus on learning to design and develop programs and applications using theory and mathematics. This includes courses involving programming, coding and engineering software to create new applications or improve existing ones.

In IT programs, you'll learn about the installation, maintenance and operation of those programs. Jobs in IT often involve more interaction as they may have duties that involve anything from solving business problems to troubleshooting technical issues with customers.

Overall, computer science programs teach you transferable skills like computation and reasoning. The knowledge and skills you'll gain in an associate in computer science program are broadly applicable across the field of computer and information technology and beyond.

While bachelor's programs are more common, it is possible to earn your associate degree in computer science.

Few schools offer computer science degrees at the associate level, but at Southern New Hampshire University, you can choose to pursue both associate and bachelor's degrees in computer science online. Whether you're already working in the field or looking to get your foot in the door, the 60-credit associate program is great for anyone interested in computer science.

Dr. Cheryl Frederick with the text Dr. Cheryl Frederick"The associate in computer science introduces students to programming," said Dr. Cheryl Frederick, executive director of STEM programs at SNHU. "It is great for those wanting to get into the software development industry."

Students will learn scripting and object-oriented programming languages including Python, Java and C++. The coursework emphasizes industry best practices for developing quality software programs.

What's even better is that our associate program is aligned with our 120-credit bachelor's in computer science program. This means you're halfway to your bachelor's once you've successfully completed your AS in Computer Science, should you decide to continue your education. From there, you could choose to take your knowledge even further and earn your master's in computer science.

The online computer science associate program is a great option if you're trying to juggle earning your degree with all of life's responsibilities, including family and work. Because SNHU's online programs have no mandatory login times, you can complete your weekly assignments whenever it's most convenient for you.

Getting your associate degree in computer science is a great way to kick off a career in the field or take on more computer science-related responsibilities in your current role. Earning your associate degree online could help prepare you for entry-level roles in the computer science field, including:

  • Help desk technician
  • Software developer
  • Computer programmer
  • Applications analyst
  • Applications developer

To further solidify your abilities as a candidate for these jobs, you may need documented experience or a bachelor's degree. Luckily, Southern New Hampshire University's computer science associate degree program can help in both of these departments. In the program, you'll build a digital portfolio that you can show to potential employers, and earning your associate degree is a milestone in your journey to earning a bachelor's degree.

Once you've earned your computer science associate degree, you might find yourself interested in other areas of computing and technology. You could continue your education, specializing your knowledge in areas like cybersecurity, information technologies, game programming and development or even project management.

How much money you make with your associate degree in computer science depends on several factors.

Computer science is a broad technology degree, giving you knowledge to work in many fields and positions beyond the obvious. Overall, earning your associate degree puts you at an advantage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, workers with an associate degree had median weekly earnings of $1,058, compared with $899 for people with a high school diploma alone.1 That's a difference of almost 18% in wages.

If you're just starting your career in computer science, it's important to know that landing a high-paying position in areas such as software development and computer programming may require at least a bachelor's degree.

Whether you already have computer science knowledge or not, having a degree helps formalize your abilities. This means earning your associate degree in computer science could make your resume more attractive to employers.

Numbers back up the value of earning your associate degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment rates are lower for people with associate degrees than those with a high school diploma alone. The unemployment rate in 2023 was 2.7% for those with associate degrees versus 3.9% for workers with no college experience.1

Of course, continuing your education and earning your bachelor's can open even more doors, but there are plenty of reasons to enroll in an associate program first:

  • Starting your career. If you're just kicking off a career in computing and technology, the computer science associate degree is a great way to dip your toes in the water. Upon graduating, you can decide to go into the workforce or continue onto a bachelor's program.
  • Taking your career further. If you've already worked in a computer science role but need credentials in order to take your career further, earning your associate degree might be a smart choice. This 2-year program is half as long as a bachelor's and you'll graduate with a degree that formalizes your knowledge and skill set.

Providing education you can afford is our priority. At Southern New Hampshire University, tuition for a computer science associate degree is $19,200. SNHU has some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, and by transferring in up to 45 credits and work experience, you could lower your final cost even further. Our staff is ready to help you with the financial aid process, because we want to help you see yourself succeed.

Because computer and information technology jobs are technical in nature, they often pay well. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $104,420 in May 2023 – much higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $48,060.1

There are many fields of study to consider in the world of computing. You could pursue a degree in computer science, cybersecurity, information technologies, computer information systems and beyond.

It's important to note that a computer science job that pays 6 figures will likely require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and years of experience. Going on to earn your master's degree can also help you climb the ranks further in your computer science career.

Related Articles

Sources & Citations

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm (viewed April 22, 2024).
  • https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm (viewed April 22, 2024).
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm (viewed May 1, 2024).
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm (viewed May 1, 2024).

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.