I'm interested in hearing more about the OP's son's experience to date, before making any suggestions. The CS degree is not the be all, end all...it's a ton of math (so find out now if he wants to DO the ton of math before doing a deep dive into it), and for someone who may just want to write games ("software development, software engineering"), CS may not be the best path for this.
I don't see them mentioned much on this board, but the OP might take a look at AMU/APU, @ $270/cr. It's not the "quick and easy" way, but in my opinion it gives someone just starting out a lot more depth in their field. As a comparison, TESU's BA CS requires 33 credits in the AOS...but only 21 credits (out of 120cr in the degree) are actually "computer" stuff... and 12cr in that 33 are math. By comparison, AMU/APU have an BS IT with a required 39cr in fundamentals (all computer stuff, math is a different category), plus a 15cr concentration requirement (programming, mobile computing, etc). This is more than double the computer coursework of the TESU BA CS. They also have related degrees like Info System Security, Cybersecurity, etc. These degrees will not be super quick...far fewer gen eds. But for a kid just starting out, with little to no background/work experience in the field, these degrees will build a lot more skills/knowledge. (Also, where the TESU BA CS requires basically 7 classes, the TESU certificate in CS requires 6, without any of the math required in the BA...so basically the same knowledge for much less pain.)
AMU/APU offer a payment plan for degree students (an 8 week class is paid in 2 installments, a 15-16 week class is paid in 4), which could help balance the finances a bit. And there's still federal student aid. Also, you still can transfer stuff in - gen-eds, math, IT, etc, which saves $. There are probably other good options for a software development degree (search "software enginineering", too).
If he's interested in hardware, that's more in the computer engineering vein, which he could do online as a masters (I've never seen CompEng as a distance/online program, but it may be out there) if he builds in the prereqs as part of his undergrad path. He can definitely do an online electrical engineering degree (BSEE), and choose electives that are more computer-y...like embedded systems or mechatronics instead of communications or power. The BSEET takes a very hands-on approach - he might enjoy the technical side (EET) of hardware more than the theory side (EE, CompE). Or, he could do the TESU BA CS and choose assembly language & C, architecture, and UNIX within the degree, then take some circuits classes from the EET (digital logic would be very important) transfer in some embedded systems, FPGA, control theory, etc, from other providers into the free electives. This also is not super-quick, but it does open more doors in hardware than the BA CS plan as written. There are a dizzying number of options...so it's important for him to narrow this down much more than "something with computers".
If I was advising my own youngster who had a big interest in tech/computers, I'd be pointing him in the direction of something more like AMU/APU, or possibly towards something competency-based like WGU (I don't know anything about their programs, but the forum has a ton of threads - but competency and relevant certifications at least document skills with a portfolio for show & tell after graduation). I'd only recommend TESU CS for an older/more experienced student who needed something fast without worrying too much about development of skills (checking that "HAS A DEGREE" box on the resume), or if they already had a ton of work experience in the field, or if they had a solid plan to develop the skills outside of the degree. And possibly if they were in a lesser-developed market, where CS isn't so competitive. Here in Boston, where CS MS/PhDs are practically reduced to bartending due to the glut from the many colleges, the TESU BA CS can't compete unless the candidate also has a ton of noteworthy prior experience/accomplishment in the field. (Full disclosure, my oldest is a brick & mortar computer engineering student at a well-known Boston university...so I'm seeing from the ground what the kids in this area are up against, trying to break into their field.)
Also, your local community college may have the basics (esp circuits, math beyond calc 2, instrumentation, etc) at a very low price. These could be good transer credit options.
There are a lot of ways to approach this problem, taking into consideration time, resources/money, desired career outcome (short- and long-term), personal interest/experience in particular specialties...I'd like to hear more from the OP, to better tailor a suggestion.
Final word - whichever way this student decides to go, that doesn't have to be decided at this particular moment. He should start knocking out gen-eds (keeping an eye on the lists for whichever programs might be interesting, to reduce duplication/excess credits in gen-eds). If CS is a definite interest, he should start the math sequence, to see if he wants to slog through all of it.
I don't see them mentioned much on this board, but the OP might take a look at AMU/APU, @ $270/cr. It's not the "quick and easy" way, but in my opinion it gives someone just starting out a lot more depth in their field. As a comparison, TESU's BA CS requires 33 credits in the AOS...but only 21 credits (out of 120cr in the degree) are actually "computer" stuff... and 12cr in that 33 are math. By comparison, AMU/APU have an BS IT with a required 39cr in fundamentals (all computer stuff, math is a different category), plus a 15cr concentration requirement (programming, mobile computing, etc). This is more than double the computer coursework of the TESU BA CS. They also have related degrees like Info System Security, Cybersecurity, etc. These degrees will not be super quick...far fewer gen eds. But for a kid just starting out, with little to no background/work experience in the field, these degrees will build a lot more skills/knowledge. (Also, where the TESU BA CS requires basically 7 classes, the TESU certificate in CS requires 6, without any of the math required in the BA...so basically the same knowledge for much less pain.)
AMU/APU offer a payment plan for degree students (an 8 week class is paid in 2 installments, a 15-16 week class is paid in 4), which could help balance the finances a bit. And there's still federal student aid. Also, you still can transfer stuff in - gen-eds, math, IT, etc, which saves $. There are probably other good options for a software development degree (search "software enginineering", too).
If he's interested in hardware, that's more in the computer engineering vein, which he could do online as a masters (I've never seen CompEng as a distance/online program, but it may be out there) if he builds in the prereqs as part of his undergrad path. He can definitely do an online electrical engineering degree (BSEE), and choose electives that are more computer-y...like embedded systems or mechatronics instead of communications or power. The BSEET takes a very hands-on approach - he might enjoy the technical side (EET) of hardware more than the theory side (EE, CompE). Or, he could do the TESU BA CS and choose assembly language & C, architecture, and UNIX within the degree, then take some circuits classes from the EET (digital logic would be very important) transfer in some embedded systems, FPGA, control theory, etc, from other providers into the free electives. This also is not super-quick, but it does open more doors in hardware than the BA CS plan as written. There are a dizzying number of options...so it's important for him to narrow this down much more than "something with computers".
If I was advising my own youngster who had a big interest in tech/computers, I'd be pointing him in the direction of something more like AMU/APU, or possibly towards something competency-based like WGU (I don't know anything about their programs, but the forum has a ton of threads - but competency and relevant certifications at least document skills with a portfolio for show & tell after graduation). I'd only recommend TESU CS for an older/more experienced student who needed something fast without worrying too much about development of skills (checking that "HAS A DEGREE" box on the resume), or if they already had a ton of work experience in the field, or if they had a solid plan to develop the skills outside of the degree. And possibly if they were in a lesser-developed market, where CS isn't so competitive. Here in Boston, where CS MS/PhDs are practically reduced to bartending due to the glut from the many colleges, the TESU BA CS can't compete unless the candidate also has a ton of noteworthy prior experience/accomplishment in the field. (Full disclosure, my oldest is a brick & mortar computer engineering student at a well-known Boston university...so I'm seeing from the ground what the kids in this area are up against, trying to break into their field.)
Also, your local community college may have the basics (esp circuits, math beyond calc 2, instrumentation, etc) at a very low price. These could be good transer credit options.
There are a lot of ways to approach this problem, taking into consideration time, resources/money, desired career outcome (short- and long-term), personal interest/experience in particular specialties...I'd like to hear more from the OP, to better tailor a suggestion.
Final word - whichever way this student decides to go, that doesn't have to be decided at this particular moment. He should start knocking out gen-eds (keeping an eye on the lists for whichever programs might be interesting, to reduce duplication/excess credits in gen-eds). If CS is a definite interest, he should start the math sequence, to see if he wants to slog through all of it.
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