Looking for an online master’s in computer science with no GRE requirements? Here you can compare some of the best schools waiving the GRE in 2024!

Computer technology touches nearly all aspects of modern life, so it shouldn’t be surprising that computer and information technology career opportunities are expected to grow much faster than average over the next 10 years (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

To expand your opportunities in this promising field, you can pursue a master’s degree in computer science. Becoming more knowledgeable about programming languages, big data, mathematics, and cloud computing can prepare you to lead tech departments and companies into the future.

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Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

With over 100,000 online and on-campus students, Arizona State University is ranked among the largest public schools in the United States, and according to U.S. News & World Report, it is one of the most innovative schools in the US.

ASU offers more than 700 undergraduate and graduate programs. It also participates in 25 different sports.

Arizona State University has maintained continuous accreditation by the Higher Learning Committee (HLC) of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges since 1931.

Auburn University was first established in 1856 as an all-male college. Since then, it has grown into a larger public research institution, with over 30,000 students enrolled.

Located in Alabama, it stands out for the large amount of research it conducts at all education levels. It’s the second-largest educational institution in the state.

Auburn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Capitol Technology University was founded in 1927 as an institute for engineering studies. It started as a correspondence school until the first residences were built.

Now, it’s a private institution that offers a wide range of programs, including business, information technology, and computer science.

Capitol Technology University is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middles States Association of Colleges and Schools.

City University of Seattle is a private institution with an estimated yearly enrollment of over 6,000 students. It’s considered a global university, with students from all over the world. Its online degrees allow it to reach more students.

Its main campus is located in Seattle, Washington, but it also has campuses in Canada, Mexico, China, Switzerland, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

City University of Seattle holds regional institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Colorado State University is the largest university in the Colorado State University System. It’s a public institution with a strong focus on research. Enrollment surpasses 30,000 students, attending classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including doctoral programs.

CSU offers over 65 different programs for undergraduates and 55 for graduate students.

Colorado State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

Most of Colorado Tech University’s classes are offered online, making this private institution ideal for working students and others needing a flexible schedule.

CTU offers diverse undergraduate and graduate programs. The main focus of the school is business and technology.

Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Dakota State University was first established in 1881 to educate professors. Education continues to be one of the primary subjects taught at DSU, but it has expanded its subjects, with technology now also at the forefront of the degrees available.

Dakota State University is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Davenport University, founded in 1866, is a private institution located in Michigan. It offers numerous online undergraduate and graduate degrees, making it a popular choice for older students. Primary fields of study offered include technology, health professions, and business.

Davenport University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

DePaul is a private institution of Roman Catholic origin. It was first established in 1898 and is located in Chicago, Illinois. It’s the largest Catholic university in the country.

One of the core values of the institution is to enroll first-generation students. DePaul University offers colleges of liberal arts, health, education, and law.

DePaul University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Drexel University’s main campus is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since its establishment in 1936, this private university has focused strongly on research.

Drexel offers around 70 undergraduate programs and approximately 100 graduate programs. The school’s total enrollment is estimated at 26,000 students.

Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Founded in 1893, Frostburg State University is a public institution in Frostburg, Maryland. It’s the only 4-year institution in the Maryland University System.

Frostburg’s enrollment is a little over 5,000 students. It offers 47 undergraduate programs and 16 graduate programs.

Frostburg State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Established in 1885, Georgia Tech University is a public university focused on research. Georgie Tech’s degree offerings have widened from only mechanical engineering to include more types of technical and non-technical studies.

Georgia Tech University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Consistently listed in U.S. News & World Report’s national school rankings, Johns Hopkins University is considered one of the best private universities in the country.

It was founded in 1878 and has a big focus on research. It was one of the first higher education institutions that combined teaching and research. Aside from its main campus in Maryland, it also has international centers in China and Italy.

Johns Hopkins University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Lewis University was first established by the Lasallian order of the Roman Catholic church in 1932. Today, it has an enrollment of approximately 6,800 students. It offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs, ranging from aviation to business to computer science.

Lewis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Founded in 1971, National University is a network of nonprofit educational institutions dedicated to providing flexible, quality education for busy adults.

NU offers a Master of Science in Computer Science that can be completed online. It requires the completion of 10 courses and a 3-month project that involves helping a client solve a real problem in the field.

National University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Nova Southeastern University is a private institution in Davie, Florida. It started with a focus on technology but has expanded. Today, it offers approximately 150 programs, including pharmacy, education, nursing, computer science, and dentistry. The school has over 20,000 students enrolled.

Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist, doctoral, and professional degrees.

Old Dominion University is a public university in Norfolk, Virginia, with numerous research programs. Originally founded in 1930 as part of another college, it has grown to be one of the largest institutions in the state, with almost 25,000 students.

Old Dominion has a large number of international students that attend every year.

Old Dominion University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees.

Founded in 1912, Rice University is a private university with strong research programs in Houston, Texas. With a student-teacher ratio of 1:6, Rice keeps a very small student body to enhance its education quality.

Some of the strongest programs offered by this institution are related to the health sciences and technology.

Rice University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degrees.

This prestigious school is one of the most selective in the country. It’s located in Stanford, California, and was founded in 1885.

This institution played an instrumental role in the development of Silicon Valley. It is one of the biggest technology hubs in the world. Both undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered, with programs that range from medicine to business.

Stanford University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the University of Bridgeport has one of the most diverse student bodies, with students from around 80 countries. This private institution offers 14 colleges of study, including engineering, international affairs, nutrition, and education.

The school offers 8 sports teams for women and 5 for men, and the female soccer team is one of the best in the country.

The University of Bridgeport is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is one of the leaders in education in the state. This public research university has grown from 4 students in its first class to over 10,000 students in recent years.

The University of Idaho is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

The University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana is part of the University of Illinois System. Classified as an R1 Doctoral Research University,  this public institution places a strong focus on research. Its library is one of the largest university libraries in the country.

The University of Illinois is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Founded in 1969 and part of the University of Illinois System, the University of Illinois – Springfield is one of the newest universities in the state. This public institution’s main focus is liberal arts. Approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled.

The University of Illinois – Springfield is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Part of the University of Michigan System, the University of Michigan – Flint is a public research institution. It offers 12 bachelor’s degree programs and 43 graduate degree programs in a range of studies, including health science, computer science, management, arts, and education.

The University of Michigan – Flint is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The University of Minnesota is a public research institution in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. It’s one of the oldest colleges in the state and has over 50,000 students enrolled. It’s one of 19 colleges making up the University of Minnesota System.

The University of Minnesota was ranked one of the best by the National Science Foundation Survey of Research and Development for the number of research opportunities it offers.

The University of Minnesota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

More commonly known as Penn University, the University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League institution. Founded in 1740, it is often considered the first university in the United States.

The first school of medicine and the first business school in the US were founded at Penn University, and they continue to be two of the most prestigious schools in the country.

The University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Founded in 1880 and located in Los Angeles, the University of Southern California is a private institution with a strong focus on research. It’s a very selective institution, with approximately 20,000 students enrolled. It offers programs ranging from business to medicine, social work to engineering.

The University of Southern California has been fully and continuously accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 1949.

The University of West Florida is located in Pensacola, Florida. This public institution was founded in 1963, and it’s one of the largest state universities in the country.

The University of West Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and Doctor of Education degrees.

The University of West Georgia is a public institution. The campus is located in Carrollton, Georgia, but classes are also offered at the Atlanta History Center, Newnan, and Douglasville. There are over 10,000 students enrolled in its different colleges. Fields of study offered include arts and humanities, nursing, computer science, social sciences, and education.

The University of West Georgia is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Vanderbilt University offers an online Master of Science in Computer Science that requires the completion of 30 credits. The program offers two tracks, accelerated and standard. The accelerated track is taken over 3 terms and can be completed in 1 year. The standard track typically takes 20 months or more to complete.

Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

While many schools offer generalist online degrees in computer science, a master’s program can also allow you to delve deeper into a specific field. To learn more about some popular specializations, click on the links below:

Each of these specializations is in high demand and can lead to rewarding careers.

Studying Artificial Intelligence can prepare you for a career in machine learning or robotics. In this specialization, you can study the mechanics of AI and its applications.

Earning a degree in this field can put you on the cutting edge of creating new programs that can enhance productivity in the manufacturing world, the efficiency of healthcare computers, or user experiences with everyday electronics. You could also enter the field of experimental AI and help to bring new conveniences to market.

This field is based on programming computers to know what to do when and to improve their responses.

The ultimate goal of studying Cybersecurity is to learn how to protect data. You’ll study network security, cryptography, and other related topics.

Potential careers include security engineer and security consultant. After graduation, you might work for a large corporation, an internet provider, a financial establishment, the government, or the military. Wherever sensitive data is stored, it needs to be protected.

If you’re a detail-oriented person who enjoys closing gaps in computer programs and making access points more secure, you can make this degree path into a lifelong, rewarding career.

If you’re interested in statistics or marketing, consider a concentration in Data Analytics. This field focuses on mining, analyzing, and applying data. You’ll take courses related to machine learning and bioinformatics.

After graduating, you could pursue work in top corporations, healthcare facilities, universities, or the government. All organizations need ways to collect and interpret data.

If you enjoy compiling details to understand the bigger picture, this field could interest you.

Studying Software Engineering can prepare you for a career as a software developer or programmer. You’ll study programming languages, web design, and user experience.

This is the degree path for people who like to create and build a product from code. You also need social skills to work well on a team because it takes each person doing their part to launch or improve a new program.

After graduation, you could work for companies that supply software tools to other businesses or consumers or use the programs you create in-house. Knowing that others are using and enjoying your programs can be very satisfying.

A Systems Creation concentration can provide in-depth knowledge about computer architecture which can be used in building networks or systems.

You could use these skills to maintain the computers and servers for a single large corporation or university or take your knowledge out to the field as a consultant or installation expert.

If you enjoy helping companies find new solutions or improve systems already in place, you’ll likely enjoy a career in systems creation.

The coursework for your online master’s degree in computer science will vary based on your school’s requirements and the specialization you study, but these are some common courses you can expect:

Many programs also require the completion of a thesis, final project, or practicum.

The computer science and information technology field is expected to grow much faster than average over the next 10 years, with over 350,000 job openings projected each year.

Companies will be looking for educated professionals who can fill those roles, so a computer science master’s degree can boost your resume and help you stand out to potential employers.

These are some popular computer science careers that you could choose to pursue with a master’s degree:

Computer science jobs aren’t always with tech companies. Nearly every industry, including healthcare, education, and manufacturing, relies on the input of computer scientists.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average yearly salary for careers in computers and information technology is $104,420, significantly higher than the average earnings across all occupations.

The average salaries for specific careers in the field vary. These are the average yearly salaries for some popular computer science careers (BLS):

Some of these lucrative career paths are among the fastest growing in the nation. For example, positions for information security analysts are projected to rise 33% over the next 10 years.

In addition to earning a master’s degree in computer science, you may want to pursue industry certifications. Holding certifications demonstrates your commitment to the field and proves that you have a noteworthy level of expertise.

These are some certifications to consider:

You’ll need to take additional classes, gain professional experience, and pass exams to earn these certifications.

Joining a professional association can help you connect with others who work in computer science and stay informed of industry developments. These are some popular organizations to consider:

As a member of these organizations, you’ll have opportunities to participate in educational programs or attend conferences. In addition, you’ll be given access to other resources, such as industry publications, research articles, and discussion boards.

Finding a master’s program without a GRE requirement can reduce the time it takes to start your graduate studies and lower your overall expenses.

Of course, not relying on test scores to prove your readiness for grad school means that your other application materials must be impressive enough to garner admission committees’ interest. Keep the following pointers in mind as you prepare your applications.

Other components of a well-rounded application may include professional references and a personal statement about your goals in the field.

You should consider two types of accreditation when selecting a school for computer science: regional and programmatic.

Regional accreditation is granted to the whole school. It’s essential because it:

Programmatic accreditation is given to specific departments by organizations in that industry.

Although optional, this distinction can help you recognize strong programs. For computer science graduate programs, look for a seal of approval from the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Even at the graduate level, there are plenty of opportunities for students to qualify for federal student aid, whether through grants or loans.

You can also secure funding from:

To get started, fill out the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). Afterward, you should apply for scholarships and grants. The more you apply for, the more opportunities you have to reduce the cost of your education.

Jobs in computers and technology often pay well. If you already have a comfortable position in the field, going back to school may not be a priority on your to-do list, but earning a master’s in computer science can have many benefits.

And, many universities now offer online master’s in computer science for working professionals, making it easier than ever to earn an advanced degree while still working.

Earning a master’s in computer science can offer the following benefits:

Depending on how you want to advance your career, you may be deciding between getting your online master’s or PhD in Computer Science. To compare the two, a master’s is a technical degree, while a PhD is more research-oriented.

The overall length of your master’s in computer science program will depend on the number of credits required by your school and whether you attend full-time or part-time. Yes, some universities offer part-time online master’s in computer science programs.

Full-time enrollment in a 30-credit computer science master’s program usually takes about 1 year to complete, while a 60-credit program usually takes 2 years.

When attending part-time, a 30-credit program typically takes 2 years to complete, while a 60-credit program can take 4 to 5 years.

There are also options to enroll in accelerated online computer science programs that condense the courses into fewer weeks and allow students to earn their degrees sooner.

Many universities do not require GRE scores or exams for admission. If you’d rather not take this exam, you can find no GRE computer science programs or apply for a GRE waiver. Some of the best universities for computer science offer this option.

As a computer science professional, you may already work as a systems analyst, software developer, or network architect.

With a computer science master’s degree, you may be able to take on additional responsibilities, move into supervisory positions, or land a job as an information research scientist.

Yes, a master’s in computer science is worth it for many students. The BLS projects job growth in computer and information technology occupations to be much faster than average over the next 10 years.

Common careers in this field include computer and information systems managers, database administrators, and computer systems analysts.

Since computer and technology jobs are growing at astonishing rates, you can probably find work with just a bachelor’s degree, but earning your master’s can boost your resume, allow you to pursue advanced positions, and increase your salary potential.

For example, you’ll need a graduate degree to become an information research scientist. A master’s degree can also qualify you for management or executive titles, including computer systems manager, security director, or chief information officer positions.

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