+- Online Degrees and CLEP and DSST Exam Prep Discussion (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb)
+-- Forum: Main Category (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-Main-Category)
+--- Forum: Degree Planning Advice (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-Degree-Planning-Advice)
+--- Thread: Trying to choose a college for computer science (/Thread-Trying-to-choose-a-college-for-computer-science)
Trying to choose a college for computer science - michaelsul - 09-07-2021
Hello,
I am looking to get a bachelor’s in computer science and I have recently learned of this method that you all use – taking courses through online sites and transferring them to a college that accepts many of those credit recommendations. So, I’m really excited to begin and I have read a number of posts here on this site to learn more. I know I need to choose a college, make a degree plan, etc.
So which colleges do you all recommend for computer science? I’ve seen a few colleges mentioned frequently here in the forum, so I am wanting to know which ones you believe are best for cs and why.
Some more information about myself in case it helps: I live in Kentucky. I have about 40 credits – mostly gen eds from community college, only 3 computer related courses so far. I’d like to get into software development or data science, and possibly pursue a master’s degree in cs some time in the future. Of course, I’d also like to get through college with no debt, and to get through it sooner than later.
Thanks for your help!
RE: Trying to choose a college for computer science - dfrecore - 09-07-2021
If I was going to get a computer science degree, I'd either get it through TESU or WGU.
List your prior credit by course number, complete course name & number of credits to make it easier for us to help you.
I can tell you what you have left at each school, and how easy it would be and how much it would cost to complete the degrees.
RE: Trying to choose a college for computer science - michaelsul - 09-07-2021
Great, thanks! What about those two colleges makes them the ones you pick?
Courses I've done.
English 101 (3 credits)
English 102 (3 credits)
Precalculus (5 credits)
Spanish 101 (4 credits)
Gen ed Biology class (3 credits)
Gen ed macroeconomics course (3 credits)
Gen ed microeconomics course (3 credits)
Gen ed music history course (3 credits)
Gen ed science course (3 credits)
Hardware/Software course from community college (4 credits)
Intro to programming course from a community college (3 credits)
Introduction to networking course from community college (4 credits)
41 total credits
RE: Trying to choose a college for computer science - rachel83az - 09-07-2021
WGU has the only competency-based Comp Sci degree right now. TESU is the only school at the moment that has a Comp Sci degree where you can go at your own pace but test out of most classes using Sophia, Study.com, etc. Purdue Global has a competency-based IT degree but that is NOT computer science. Other schools are going to be prohibitively expensive when it comes to Comp Sci degrees.
RE: Trying to choose a college for computer science - sanantone - 09-07-2021
Rasmussen University has a competency-based BS in Computer Science, but they charge by credit hour instead of a term subscription.
https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/technology/computer-science/bachelors/
RE: Trying to choose a college for computer science - dfrecore - 09-07-2021
(09-07-2021, 03:41 PM)michaelsul Wrote: Great, thanks! What about those two colleges makes them the ones you pick?
Courses I've done.
English 101 (3 credits)
English 102 (3 credits)
Precalculus (5 credits)
Spanish 101 (4 credits)
Gen ed Biology class (3 credits)
Gen ed macroeconomics course (3 credits)
Gen ed microeconomics course (3 credits)
Gen ed music history course (3 credits)
Gen ed science course (3 credits)
Hardware/Software course from community college (4 credits)
Intro to programming course from a community college (3 credits)
Introduction to networking course from community college (4 credits)
41 total credits
Those will be your 2 cheapest/fastest options: TESU may be the best fit, since all 41cr you've taken will fit into the degree there. WGU, you will lose some credits.
TESU - you have met the 30cr RA threshold, so no worries there; and you can do all of the remaining courses via alt-credit through Study.com, Sophia, ICC, etc. Here's what you need:
Oral Comm
Diversity
Ethics
Civic Engagement
History
Major coursework
Data Structures
Calculus
Discrete Math
Operating Systems
Computer Architecture
MIS
Systems Analysis & Design
Database Management
1 UL course in CompSci (Network Tech TECEP will work but is hard)
2 LL courses in Science, Math or CompSci
28cr of Free Electives
You could get every single course from Study.com; or you can shoot for less expensive options for some, and just use Study.com for your major if you'd rather.
$6650 for tuiton/fees for cornerstone & capstone, add cost of alt-credit for 75cr.
$4639 for a FT/flat-rate fee if you can do 16cr in a single term; you'd want at least 1 of those courses to be an UL CompSci course to replace the TECEP, add cost of alt-credit for 75cr.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For WGU, you'll need 29cr of GE:
Intro to Communication
Technical Communication
Ethics in Technology
American Politics & the US Constitution
Applied Probability & Statistics
Calculus I
Discrete Mathematics I
Natural Science Lab
and then 76cr of the major
So you're really only bringing in about 12-15cr, which is a bummer.
$3500 for 1 term, $7k for 2 terms - not including the courses you'll need to take via alt-credit (~105cr)
RE: Trying to choose a college for computer science - bluebooger - 09-08-2021
or just do WGU and don't take any courses alt credit
the natural science lab can be completed in less than a week
no need to purchase a lab kit or spend $200 at study.com
Introduction to IT can be completed in 5 days (faster if you read fast and are a decent test taker)
Ethics in Technology -- another one that can be done in one week
2 terms is one year = $7840
3 is 18 months = $11760
apply now for free, send in your transcripts for evaluation and start on November 1
the only one you might want to transfer in is Calculus from straighterline
https://www.straighterline.com/online-college-courses/mathematics/general-calculus-i/
because they let you use a graphing CAS calculator on the final
RE: Trying to choose a college for computer science - rachel83az - 09-08-2021
Just FYI, for WGU, students must be within the US. A small handful of Canadians are allowed, but I'm not sure how they make the decision. Also, you might not like the proctoring that WGU uses. These are things you should also take into consideration.
RE: Trying to choose a college for computer science - michaelsul - 09-10-2021
Thanks for all the replies and information!
(09-07-2021, 05:15 PM)dfrecore Wrote:(09-07-2021, 03:41 PM)michaelsul Wrote: Great, thanks! What about those two colleges makes them the ones you pick?
Courses I've done.
English 101 (3 credits)
English 102 (3 credits)
Precalculus (5 credits)
Spanish 101 (4 credits)
Gen ed Biology class (3 credits)
Gen ed macroeconomics course (3 credits)
Gen ed microeconomics course (3 credits)
Gen ed music history course (3 credits)
Gen ed science course (3 credits)
Hardware/Software course from community college (4 credits)
Intro to programming course from a community college (3 credits)
Introduction to networking course from community college (4 credits)
41 total credits
Those will be your 2 cheapest/fastest options: TESU may be the best fit, since all 41cr you've taken will fit into the degree there. WGU, you will lose some credits.
TESU - you have met the 30cr RA threshold, so no worries there; and you can do all of the remaining courses via alt-credit through Study.com, Sophia, ICC, etc. Here's what you need:
Oral Comm
Diversity
Ethics
Civic Engagement
History
Major coursework
Data Structures
Calculus
Discrete Math
Operating Systems
Computer Architecture
MIS
Systems Analysis & Design
Database Management
1 UL course in CompSci (Network Tech TECEP will work but is hard)
2 LL courses in Science, Math or CompSci
28cr of Free Electives
You could get every single course from Study.com; or you can shoot for less expensive options for some, and just use Study.com for your major if you'd rather.
$6650 for tuiton/fees for cornerstone & capstone, add cost of alt-credit for 75cr.
$4639 for a FT/flat-rate fee if you can do 16cr in a single term; you'd want at least 1 of those courses to be an UL CompSci course to replace the TECEP, add cost of alt-credit for 75cr.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For WGU, you'll need 29cr of GE:
Intro to Communication
Technical Communication
Ethics in Technology
American Politics & the US Constitution
Applied Probability & Statistics
Calculus I
Discrete Mathematics I
Natural Science Lab
and then 76cr of the major
So you're really only bringing in about 12-15cr, which is a bummer.
$3500 for 1 term, $7k for 2 terms - not including the courses you'll need to take via alt-credit (~105cr)
Ok, great! Thanks for all the information!