How to get a Software Engineering, Data, or CS degree for cheap in 2024?

[awildstudentappeared]

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The big options discussed here for a CS/SWE degree are indeed the WGU and TESU CS bachelors. They're by far the best online sub 10k options on the market in terms of flexibility and not being predatory towards students. 

Here's a breakdown of the programs I'm aware of that are online, $10k or less, regionally accredited, from a nonprofit or public school, at the undergraduate level and in CS or an adjacent area:

WGU BS CS ($4k/semester): You know it, it's a real CS degree, it's ABET accredited, it's CBE, you can blaze through it if you want to. The downside is no grades which could possibly impact grad school opportunities and the semesters can stack up if you don't complete it quickly. Transfer in as many credits as possible before starting.

WGU BS SWE ($4k/semester): It'll give you an AWS cert and C# if you take that track, but it has all the same disadvantages as the WGU BSCS without the ABET accreditation and a worse name.

TESU BA CS ($5k to $10k total depending on classes):  Because you can basically complete the entire degree with transfer credit you get to pick the rigor of your classes and learning style. I prefer structured classes, which I have been taking at community colleges and online units of b&m schools, so this is the option I went with (and I plugged the gaps with Sophia and SDC). More flexible because of its transfer based nature, so you're less likely to incur extra expenses if your studies are interrupted.

University of the Cumberlands BS CS (Just under $10k if you have the right transfer credits): Accelerated 8 week courses. Relatively strict transfer guidelines. It's a Baptist college so get ready to take several bible classes. Not a popular option on this forum but it's out there.

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee BS Information Systems and Technology ($2.3k per 12 weeks): Available through Wisconsin Flex, which is a collection of CBE programs. Second best school name on the list, but probably the worst program. As far as I know, nobody on this forum has done this program specifically, but Wisconsin Flex programs are apparently super disorganized. Very industry focused curriculum though, and seemingly cheap too.

Fort Hays State BS CS (could be $10k or less depending on your transfer situation): A perfectly fine, conventionally delivered BS CS from a low tier state university in Kansas. Exactly what it says on the tin. Traditional transfer standards apply, which is to say no Sophia or SDC, but some CLEP options. Would take at least 2 years to complete.

University of Florida BS CS ($7k in state): It's a degree from a flagship university that costs $7k if you have Florida residency. Best school name on the list. Conventional delivery, albeit online. Out of state it costs over $30k. Takes two years minimum.

That's about it. There are other options, like the OSU BS CS and the Auburn BS CS, but these will all cost >$30k.

I just wanted to add to this the online Software Engineering BS I found at Kennesaw State, which ranks above Fort Hays State but below University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the rankings I saw.

They've also got some IT degrees and a game design degree. I don't think I'll be applying here as I'm looking to finish in less than 2 years and they don't accept 3rd party credits like Sophia, but at $185 a credit it's not too expensive and maybe someone will find it useful. They accept international students too. I did a google search for "Kennesaw State Degreeforum" and almost nothing showed up.

Transfer info: https://www.kennesaw.edu/registrar/transfer/

Transfer articulation "search engine": https://owlexpress.kennesaw.edu/prodban/...find_state

List of online degrees: https://programfinder.kennesaw.edu/s/sea...inder-meta

Tuition rates: https://fiscalservices.kennesaw.edu/burs...n-fees.php

Software Engineering course catalog: https://catalog.kennesaw.edu/preview_pro...&poid=6296

That being said, as I've read more about these different options, I think something I was underestimating was the usefulness of having an online community of other students getting the same degree. All the WGU students have large reddit and facebook groups or Discord channels where they can get help when they're stuck on something. TESU students have this site. With something like programming especially, getting stuck is a matter of when, not if. If someone were to pick one of these lesser known degrees, they'd be more or less on their own. Something to consider.