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The 10 Cheapest Online Software Engineering Master’s Degree Programs

Rankings of the cheapest online software engineering master's programsThe cheapest online software engineering master’s degrees listed below provide crucial knowledge and experience relating to the entire software development lifecycle. These degrees show you how to solve a variety of software-related problems. Coursework will prepare you to determine software requirements, design interfaces, write algorithms, and test software programs.

This is a unique form of engineering that applies design and development principles while applying this knowledge to a software application. If you have a background in technology, then a software engineering program may be perfect for your future. In this database, you’ll find 21 degrees, all from accredited schools that provide an online master’s software engineering. The degrees come in a range of costs to fit any budget.

ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide

Average Cost (In-state): ~$31,500
Least Expensive In-State: East Carolina University ~$9,287
Least Expensive Out-of-state: Kennesaw State University ~$11,710

Think a master’s in software engineering would be right for you? Use this database to choose the ideal program for your budget and schedule needs.

10 Cheapest Online Software Engineering Master’s Degree Programs

RankSchool / DegreeStatePriceNote
1
East Carolina University
(NC)
$9,287.00
$31,202.00
In-State
Out-of-State
2
Kennesaw State University
(GA)
$11,710.00
All Students
3
California State University-Fullerton
(CA)
$14,129.00
$26,009.00
In-State
Out-of-State
4
North Dakota State University
(ND)
$15,848.00
All Students
5
University of Houston - Clear Lake
(TX)
$16,493.00
$32,513.00
In-State
Out-of-State
6
Washington State University
(WA)
$19,572.00
All Students
7
Saint Cloud State University
(MN)
$20,968.00
$30,628.00
In-State
Out-of-State
8
West Virginia University
(WV)
$21,450.00
All Students
9
University of Arizona
(AZ)
$29,850.00
All Students
10
Mercer University
(GA)
$30,570.00
All Students
NOTE: The following schools did not make our Best Buy ranking but are also great online options.
School / DegreeStatePriceNote
University of Michigan - Dearborn
(MI)
$34,070.00
$56,000.00
In-State
Out-of-State
St. Mary's University
(TX)
$34,575.00
All Students
Regis University
(CO)
$35,496.00
All Students
Brandeis University
(MA)
$36,600.00
$31,110.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Pennsylvania State University
(PA)
$36,612.00
All Students
Pace University
(NY)
$41,640.00
All Students
University of Maryland-College Park
(MD)
$41,820.00
All Students
Southern Methodist University
(TX)
$43,500.00
$23,250.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
DePaul University
(IL)
$44,064.00
All Students
Stevens Institute of Technology
(NJ)
$59,940.00
All Students
Drexel University
(PA)
$63,070.00
$47,365.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military

Methodology for These Rankings

These rankings of online master’s in software engineering programs are based on our fall 2023 review of degrees. In order to calculate the total cost, we use a variety of factors including minimum required credit hours, tuition rates, and general fees. At the time of collection, the information was valid and specific to the individual program. Profiles for the same degrees found in the directory on our site may, on occasion, reflect a different cost based on editorial update schedules.

The published cost is an estimated total price for the entire degree, but actual costs will vary by student. For example, if you have transfer credits, your cost may be lower. Prerequisite courses, textbook fees, licensing requirements, financial aid, and numerous other factors can impact the price of an affordable online master’s software engineering.

We strive to create the most honest, accurate ranking system possible. Therefore, we do not accept payments from schools to be included or removed from our rankings. The rankings are open to any regionally-accredited public or nonprofit college or university that offers a software engineering master’s degree online. We do not include degrees from non-accredited, nationally-accredited, or for-profit schools in our rankings. We also exclude from our rankings degrees that are available less than 80% online and those that are only available to students in five states or fewer.

Program Note: In order to qualify for a ranking, the master in software engineering online must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table. Degrees labeled with superscript 14 indicate that options for this program have changed since publication.