2023 Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for computer science students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
The Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools ranking is one of many tools that Computer Science Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 224 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best basic certificate programs for computer science students. To come up with a school's ranking, we analyzed numerous factors related to post-graduation wages, the quality of education offered by the school, average accumulated student debt, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Harvard University to be the best school for computer science students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the United States.
The average tuition and fees at Harvard is $55,587. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Harvard. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Middlesex Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Middlesex Community College is $6,048. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,120.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Middlesex Community College. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
The excellent basic certificate programs at University of Virginia - Main Campus helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best computer science schools in the United States.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at University of Virginia is $19,785. Out-of-state students pay an average of $54,438.
One thing to take note of is that University of Virginia does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The University of Texas at Austin. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools list.
One thing to take note of is that UT Austin does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Wake Technical Community College is a great place for computer science students working on their basic certificate.
In-state students pay an average of $2,768 in tuition and fees if they attend Wake Technical Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,912.
Wake Technical Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Saint Martin’s University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate computer science programs.
The average tuition and fees at Saint Martin’s is $40,690. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
Saint Martin’s does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 34% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Fox Valley Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #7 on the list.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,746 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend FVTC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,861.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at FVTC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 42% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate computer science programs.
UOPX - Arizona does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Lake Area Technical Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #9 on the list.
If you want to attend LATI, expect to pay an average of $6,718 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Online courses are available at LATI, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $5,280 in tuition and fees if they attend BHCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,224.
Since BHCC is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Anne Arundel Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #11 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $8,900 in tuition and fees if they attend AACC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,550.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at AACC. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Madison College is $4,600. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,769.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Madison College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate computer science programs.
Students from Georgia who attend Chattahoochee Technical College full time pay an average of $3,202 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,602.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Chattahoochee Technical College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #14 on this year’s Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UW - Madison is $10,720. Out-of-state students pay an average of $38,608.
UW - Madison does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Sinclair Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #15 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Sinclair Community College is $4,329. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,076.
One thing to take note of is that Sinclair Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Jefferson Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #16 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,568 in tuition and fees if they attend Jefferson Community and Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,320.
Jefferson Community and Technical College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 57% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Read full report on Jefferson Community and Technical College
With a ranking of #17, North Hennepin Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working on their basic certificate.
North Hennepin Community College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $4,882. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
North Hennepin Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Villanova University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools ranking.
Villanova does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $59,020. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Villanova. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate computer science programs.
Students from Wisconsin who attend WITC full time pay an average of $4,900 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,960.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WITC. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
University of Richmond ranked #20 on this year’s Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools list.
NHTI-Concord’s Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools ranking.
Students from New Hampshire who attend NHTI full time pay an average of $7,200 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,450.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NHTI. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Saint Louis University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #22 on the list.
If you want to attend SLU, expect to pay an average of $48,824 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Online courses are available at SLU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 83% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Bellevue College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #23 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BC is $4,057. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,594.
Online courses are available at BC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #24 on this year’s Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools list.
Students from Minnesota who attend UMN Twin Cities full time pay an average of $15,254 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $33,818.
Online courses are available at UMN Twin Cities, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools ranking.
Students from Wisconsin who attend CVTC full time pay an average of $4,568 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,683.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CVTC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 60% took at least some of their classes online.
Rest of the Top 15% Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the top 34 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Narrow Schools by Region
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best computer science schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN |
| 36 | Dunwoody College of Technology | Minneapolis, MN |
| 37 | Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville, GA |
| 38 | Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee, WI |
| 39 | Metropolitan Community College | Omaha, NE |
| 40 | Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland, OH |
| 41 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | Kirkland, WA |
| 42 | Central Community College | Grand Island, NE |
| 43 | Dakota State University | Madison, SD |
| 44 | Minnesota State University - Mankato | Mankato, MN |
| 45 | Northern Essex Community College | Haverhill, MA |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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