Affordable, regionally accredited computer science programs.

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by caseyt0911, Dec 17, 2011.

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  1. caseyt0911

    caseyt0911 New Member

    Hey guys, I found this site while I've been looking for hours and hours trying to find an affordable school that will allow me to work toward a BS in CS online, but every time I think I've found a good school I either find some bad reviews on the school, or I find the cost to be over 40k, or it's not quite exactly what I'm looking for. I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any acceptable computer science programs online that are around $250/ch.

    So far I'v found American Intercontinental University, Colorado Technical University, Grantham University, and Southern New Hampshire University to have what I'm looking for, but I can't overlook some very bad reviews that I've seen of these schools that are dated about 2,3, or sometimes 4 years ago. I'd just like some advice and maybe some updated reviews of these schools.

    Any help would appreciated, thanks.
     
  2. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Well, all the schools you have listed. The only school considers good reputation is Southern New Hampshire University; however, it does not offer Computer Science. Remember that Grantham University is national accredited by the DETC; which your future academic opportunity is limited. I would recommend you to stay away from the American InterContinental University, it has bad reputation. Which leaving you with Colorado Technical University...I am not sure with the name.

    I would recommend you to check out Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science at Troy University, which the current tuition is only $260.00 per credit. When I attended back in 2004 to 2006; the program was named as Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and it was only $160.00 per credit.

    Also, Regis University (Denver, Colorado) has BS in Computer Science at $395.00 per credit. Florida State University and University of Illinois at Springfield price tags are beyond your imagination.
     
  3. caseyt0911

    caseyt0911 New Member

    Would it hurt me much to go with the applied computer science instead of computer science?
     
  4. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    What are your goals? Also, what is the course content that makes up the program?
     
  5. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I think that one thing we should do in the future is to interpret the term"affordable" as meaning cheapest.

    affordable = cheapest
     
  6. mcjon77

    mcjon77 Member

    What about finding a school that may have a higher per credit cost, BUT it takes a bunch of CLEP test credits?

    In my area, CLEP tests cost about $100-$120, and are good for 3-6 credit hours (depending on the test). That comes to about $20-$40 per credit hour. If you can get half of your credits through CLEP, it might offset the extra you have to pay at some of these schools.
     
  7. caseyt0911

    caseyt0911 New Member

    Any thoughts on Baker College? I've been looking at this school a lot since posting this, and I noticed they have a Bachelor of Computer Science. Here's the the courses...

    Coursesn

    Would this take care of my general studies? Because this is my first time going to college out of high school. I really like what I've read about this school, especially the 98% employment of graduates part, I hope that's true. It's also really affordable, but I wouldn't want to waste my time and money going there if anyone felt it would completely turn off employers.

    Also, thanks for the great reply TEKMAN, that was very informative. I'll just check those off the list.
     
  8. caseyt0911

    caseyt0911 New Member

    I like the Troy idea, but I heard that an Applied computer science degree wouldn't involve taking care of your general studies. Any truth to that?
     
  9. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Never put too much stock in negative reviews of schools. Usually they are written by losers who washed out of the program.
     
  10. Petedude

    Petedude New Member

    Those can be useful background information, and can tell you potential pitfalls of a given institution (e.g. poor customer service at NCU). However, they need to be taken with a grain of salt and considered alongside other sources of information (e.g. this forum). The best time periods I've found are within the last 1.5 to 2 years of reviews, positive or negative. Anything beyond that and the school/program may have changed enough that many comments will now be irrelevant.
     
  11. atrox79

    atrox79 Member

    Online undergraduates at University of Illinois - Springfield used to pay around $300+ per unit, but (like everything else) it looks like the costs are increasing. Still, it's probably one of the best deals out there for a regionally accredited CS degree from a respected institution.
     
  12. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

  13. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Back in the day, I chose Troy University over Baker College for two reasons. The first reason is "University" over "College," and the second reason is "Semester" vs "Quarter." Somehow I do not like the quarter systems.

    Current Tuition:
    Troy University: $260.00 x 120 = $31,200.00
    Baker College: $210.00 x 193 = $40,530.00

    Troy University takes up to 60 credits from multiple sources (CLEP, DANTES, Military Training, and etc). I completed my degree in 2006 with only 60 credits from Troy University.
     
  14. caseyt0911

    caseyt0911 New Member

    Like I said, I'm strongly thinking about Troy right now, but what would I need to do in order to take care of my general studies? I read somewhere that an Applied CS degree didn't involve the general studies, that's why is isn't as good as a regular CS degree. That's just what I read, I don't really know.
     
  15. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Where did you get that information? If you have been told by somebody, that person is wrong. Here are some of the General Education from Troy University.

    ENG1101 – English Composition 1
    ENG1102 – English Composition 2
    ART 1133* (2) Visual Arts, or placement in ART 1134* Honors Visual Arts
    MUS 1131* (2) Music Appreciation, or placement in MUS 1132* Honors Music Appreciation
    ENG 2211 (3) American Literature before 1875
    REL 2280* (3) World Religions
    BIO 1100 (3) Principles of Biology
    BIO L100 (1) Principles of Biology Lab
    MTH 1110 (3) Finite Math
    CHM 1142 (3) General Chemistry I
    CHM L142 (1) General Chemistry I Lab
    HIS 1111 (3) U.S. to 1877, or placement in HIS 1113 Honors U.S. to 1877
    HIS 1112 (3) U.S. since 1877, or placement in HIS 1114 Honors U.S. since 1877
    ECO 2251* (3) Principles of Macroeconomics
    ECO 2252* (3) Principles of Microeconomics
    IS 2241 (3) Computer Concepts and Applications
    TROY 1101 (1) University Orientation

    18 Semester hour of Elective.


    Reference: eTROY | Offering quality online courses and online degree programs

    The program has changed over years; therefore, your degree curriculum would looks different than mine. I cannot complete the entire research for you. For more information, contact an admission counselor and academic adviser. Before doing so, go to Troy University's website and read the catalog.

    List of credits can be earned through Examinations (CLEP, DANTES, AP, IB) (Maximum 60 credits): http://www.troy.edu/catalogs/1112undergrad/5U_acad_regs.html
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 20, 2011
  16. atrox79

    atrox79 Member

    If I had to hazard a guess, I would say Applied CS would consist of:

    1) less math
    2) more practical programming (application)
    3) little to no theory

    It could be good or bad, depending on what you want to do. If you just want to work in the industry it's probably fine. If you wanted to go to grad school, you'd probably have to make up some missing courses.
     

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