With the best online computer science courses, you can get the knowledge and skills you need to build a lucrative career in this thriving field.
Computer science is a field that covers anything and everything that has to do with computing. From programming languages to algorithms, mathematics, and information technology, all the subjects are so diverse and vast that they have their own specializations.
Since digital devices surround us left, right, and center, studying computer science will also help open doors for you in many other fields such as app development, coding, artificial intelligence, etc.
The good news is it’s easier to learn computer science than ever before, and you don’t have to shell out a fortune for an expensive degree from a four-year university.
Thanks to online computer science courses, you can learn new skills on your own time from the comfort of home (or wherever you want).
We’ve reviewed and ranked the best online computer science courses based on a variety of key factors, including cost, instructor credentials, student reviews, curriculum, and more.
What are the Best Computer Science Classes Online?
Here are our picks for the top online computer science classes you can take in 2022…
1. CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science (edX)
CS50's Introduction to Computer Science | edX
Get introduced to the basics of computer science and the art of programming in this excellent online course.
Price
Duration
This entry-level course is 12 weeks long, with a rough window of 6-18 hours per week.
Powered by Harvard University, this online course aims to provide a comprehensive insight into several topics related to computer science.
It requires no prior knowledge of the subject, which means that you can take up this course even if you belong to a separate field of work.
In this online computer science course, you’ll get introduced to programming languages such as C, JavaScript, Python, SQL, plus CSS and HTML. Abstraction, algorithms, data structures, and software engineering.
This course also aims to enable efficiency and problem-solving capabilities. Students who have a good performance can also apply for a final project which makes them eligible for a certificate.
The best part about this online computer science course is that it’s absolutely free!
What You Will Learn
- Introduction and in-depth insight into computer science and programming
- An extensive understanding of several computing concepts and languages
- Developing programming projects and presentation skills
- How to resolve data-related issues
- How to perceive things mathematically
- Resource management and security
- Problem sets based on real-world disciplines
2. Computer Science 101 (edX)
Computer Science 101 | edX
This course is perfect for those with zero prior experience who want to start understanding what computers are all about.
Price
Get started for free. They also offer a paid optional upgrade. See our edX review to learn more.
Duration
The course stretches out to 6 weeks, with a suggested pace of 4-6 hours per week.
Another one of the free computer science courses stands out because of its unique curriculum. Sourced through Stanford University, this course takes you through the working of things and teaches you the logic of why and how programs function the way they do.
The best thing about this course is that it is entirely-browser based, which means that you wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of installing different software.
It requires zero prior knowledge of the subject and aims to uncomplicate the workings of a computer so that you can navigate and progress with things on your own, even after the course finishes.
What You Will Learn
- How computer and code works
- An understanding of hardware and its function, such as chips, CPU, memory disk, etc.
- What is required to run software and programs
- Understanding digital images
- Understanding structured data
- Components of the internet: Wi-Fi, IP address, routing, etc.
- How security works in terms of dealing with viruses, Trojans, passwords, etc.
- Unraveling different terminologies such as bits, bytes, gigabytes, megabytes, etc.
3. CS50’s Computer Science for Business Professionals (edX)
CS50's Computer Science for Business Professionals | edX
This introductory computer science course is specifically geared toward business professionals looking to gain basic skills.
Price
Get started for free or pay for an optional upgrade. See our edX pricing guide to learn more.
Duration
The course is about 6 weeks long, with a recommended pace of 2-6 hours per week.
Very popular amongst people who are product managers, founders, business professionals, and team leaders, this online computer science course is tailored to provide a detailed insight into low-level concepts and implementation details.
It then takes you to master high-level concepts and teaches you how to inculcate them into a professional setting.
Their curriculum and teaching methodologies make you much more confident in your decision-making and also provide a thorough understanding of how computing works.
Enrolling in this course can be particularly beneficial for people who need to up their game of taking technology-based initiatives.
It requires no prior knowledge of the subject, so you can have a well-rounded computational experience without actually belonging to the field itself.
What You Will Learn
- How to use computational thinking and programming languages
- Understanding technology stacks
- Analyzing cloud computing and how it can be used
- Exploring web development and different internet technologies
4. Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization (Coursera)
Price
Duration
This online course has the option of pursuing it in either one month, three months, or 6 months.
Estimated hours
- One month: 20 hours per week
- Three months: 7 hours per week
- Six months: 3 hours per week.
This course has an all-rounding nature because it covers everything from basic introductions to detailed demonstrations. It is an entry-level course which means that if you have some basic programming experience, it will help you, but there are no hard and fast rules for prior knowledge. It is available in multiple languages and promises to help you master skills like Computer Graphics, Computer Programming, JavaScript, and much more.
This course also provides a hands-on experience of applying your computer knowledge to various tasks and activities that help you better understand the subject. Their graded assignments, practice quizzes, and programming tasks help you figure out the technicalities of computer science within your desired timeline.
Powered by the University Of London, this course will improve your programming skills and concepts, along with a shareable certificate.
What You Will Learn
- Exploring 2d graphics by creating programs using the JavaScript language
- Understanding the working of systems with the help of creating mental models
- Understanding modular arithmetic, sequences, series, and plot graphs, and how to use them computationally.
- Exploring arithmetical functions further in terms of transforming numbers between number bases and also resolving the problems that arise with them.
5. Computer Science 101: Master the Theory Behind Programming (Udemy)
Price
Duration
This is a self-paced computer science course that is estimated to be 10 hours long, with the option of flexible timings.
As its name suggests, this course aims to make you a pro in programming theory and software engineering.
This computer science class is designed to befit people that struggle with analytical tasks and need constant reinforcement.
Available on Udemy.com, this is one of the best computer science courses because it focuses on making knowledge about computers easy and uncomplicated.
The course includes 10 videos with an average of 12 lectures each. You can demand these videos any time you please and watch them within your convenient time frames.
They also offer lifetime access to all the videos and resources and a certificate of completion.
The best part about this course is that there are no pre-requisites; all they want from you is a passion for knowledge!
What You Will Learn
- Introduction to logarithmic functions and algebraic expressions
- Analyzing programs and nodes
- Different types of notations
- Implementation of stacks with the help of arrays or linked lists
- A thorough understanding of linked lists
- Sorting different algorithms and their comparison
- Binary to Hex and back
- Trees, binary search trees, binary search tree run times, and their real-world examples
- Real-world examples of stack and queues
6. CS101 Bootcamp: Introduction to Computer Science & Software (Udemy)
Price
Duration
The course has on-demand videos that sum up to be 2.5 hours long.
Designed for beginners with zero familiarity with the subject, this course focuses on coding, programming, and computer hardware.
This online computer science class consists of 5 sessions that typically have 3 lectures, 10-15 minutes long.
Offered by Udemy, this course aims to provide you with the basics of computer science that normally stretch out to a semester in just 2 hours!
All you need is to have a thirst for knowledge, and they’ll take you from there.
The short duration and great topics covered make it a perfect fit for people who want to learn computer sciences but have jobs or commitments. You can take the entire course on a weekend or break it into smaller sessions that take up a few minutes daily.
This course has lifetime access to all the videos and resources and offers a completion certificate.
What You Will Learn
- How hardware and software work
- How to build webpages in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Using Java and Python in programming concepts
- Different web servers and their functions
- How to develop mobile apps
- Analyzing components of Cloud Computing, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
- Introduction to various databases
- Data analysis
7. Number Systems For Computer Scientists (Educative)
Price
This course is priced at $29/year and offers free access for 7 days.
Duration
This course is estimated to take up to 2 hours to complete.
Based on 31 lessons and 26 quizzes, this course focuses on binary representation and mastering the number systems that computer professionals need. It is a text-based course that helps you grasp concepts more quickly and efficiently. They also focus on giving you a hands-on experience of live coding environments; you can practice alongside the lessons, saving yourself a lot of time and effort.
The course requires no prior knowledge of programming; however, they do demand a basic high-school-level understanding of arithmetic. Their extensive quizzes and illustrative presentations ensure effective transfer of concepts and also help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. All of this comes with a certificate of completion as well!
What You Will Learn
- A qualitative understanding of different number systems that comes in handy when programming
- Understanding the grounds and functions of computer storage
- Exploring fixed-point notation
- How to carry out binary arithmetic in a coding environment
8. Intro to Theoretical Computer Science (Udacity)
Price
This course is offered free of cost.
Duration
The estimated timeline for this course is approximately two months.
An intermediate-level course powered by Udacity offers a comprehensive study of theoretical computer sciences and their implementation. Mostly self-paced and taught by industry professionals, this course introduces you to computer science theories while also conducting interactive quizzes to help you analyze your progress.
It also stresses different methods and techniques used to combat problems and how to think algorithmically. While the course does not require any prior knowledge of computer science theories, it asks for a basic understanding of algorithms and programming.
The entire course comprises 7 lessons covering several topics related to the subject. If you’re a beginner and looking for something that isn’t too complex, make sure you check this one out.
What You Will Learn
- What sort of problems generally arise in computer sciences
- Unsolvable problems in computer theory
- Random tips and tricks that prove to be beneficial
- How to speed up the working
- How to cleverly assess and solve issues and errors
- Exploring the concept of NR-completeness
- Studying different tools that can help combat technical problems
See our Udacity review to learn more.
9. Mathematical Thinking in Computer Science (Coursera)
Price
Duration
The estimated duration of this course is approximately 6 weeks.
Sourced by the University Of California and Higher School Of Economics, this course takes up a relatively unconventional approach. Students are asked to experiment on their own before any explanations.
This sparks up curiosity amongst students and also allows room for self-learning.
The course is available in multiple languages and is best recommended for beginners.
They also require a basic knowledge of math and programming. If you have prior know-how of Python and programming, you will have no trouble pursuing this course.
It includes many fun quizzes and puzzles which help you further.
What You Will Learn
- Fundamentals of an argument and how to make a successful one.
- Examples, its requirements, and how to find them
- Recursion and induction
- How to work around mathematical logic
- Using invariants in analyzing different processes
- Understanding mathematical concepts with the help of puzzles
A Final Word on the Best Online Computer Science Courses
With the computer science classes above, you can quickly build the knowledge and skills you need to thrive in this always-growing field.
Remember, many of the best online course websites offer free trials, so be sure to take advantage of those so you can try out classes at no cost.
Have any questions about our guide to the best online computer science courses? Let us know by commenting below.
