9 Most Affordable Online Cloud Computing Degrees 2025

Multiple schools across the country offer cloud computing degree options for undergraduate students. These programs equip students with various skills such as creating, managing, and securing cloud platforms.

Students can earn a cloud computing degree online in four years or less, depending on their academic backgrounds. Continue reading to explore the best online and affordable cloud computing bachelor's degrees.

What Is an Online Cloud Computing Degree?

A cloud computing degree program usually integrates computer science coursework, general education classes, and cloud-based competencies across the curriculum. Most programs consist of 120 credit hours and traditionally take four years to complete after high school, although many schools allow students to complete their programs faster if desired.

The most common type of cloud computing degree is the Bachelor of Science (BS), which often includes concepts in cloud technologies, cloud infrastructure, and cloud services. Students learn to design, manage, and maintain various cloud platforms, as well as how to use tools, such as Python and Linux, effectively.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree in Cloud Computing Cost?

The cost of a cloud engineer degree depends on the applicable tuition and fees, but tuition can cost from $100 to more than $1,000 per credit. Since programs are usually 120 credits, tuition variances can make a significant difference in the total cost of a degree.

While students who have finished a high school degree (or GED) typically need to complete the full curriculum, those who have relevant work experience or prior college credits may qualify for transfer credits. These reduce the number of credits needed for the degree, along with the total tuition cost.

There are also financial aid opportunities, including grants and scholarships for online students that can lower total costs.

Cheapest Cloud Computing Programs Online

Students can pursue various cloud computing careers by developing skills and expertise through a cloud computing program. There are a handful of fully online programs in cloud computing in the U.S., some of which offer technical certifications within the program. Below, we review the nine cheapest options for cloud computing degrees.

1. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) offers an online BS in cloud and network engineering degree with four specialization options:

• general track
• Azure track
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) track
• Cisco track

Studying cloud computing at WGU gives students a deeper understanding of cloud architecture, AI automation, and network design, and students earn various industry certificates during the program. WGU cloud computing students have a flat-rate tuition for each six-month period, meaning that taking more courses each term reduces the overall program cost.

• Estimated tuition cost: $186 to $280 per credit (varies by enrollment)
• Financial aid: WGU has various scholarships available, including the ''Rise Above'' $4,000 grant.
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

2. Morgan State University

Morgan State University has a BS in cloud computing that can be completed entirely online. Students learn methods and skills for cloud computing; they also strengthen their leadership and collaborative capabilities. Students can customize their experience by choosing 11 electives within the program, which include options like database design, network security, algorithm design, and quantum computing.

• Estimated tuition cost: $162 to $265 per credit (in-state); $470 to $670 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Students can apply for several different scholarships and grants offered by Morgan State.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

3. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) offers an online BS in cloud computing that prepares students for Cloud+ and Cloud Essentials+ certifications within the program. Students can select several electives within their program and take courses covering Linux, cloud development software, machine learning, and system design.

TESU uses a flat-rate tuition per term, meaning that students do not pay additional tuition for any coursework taken beyond nine credit hours.

• Estimated tuition cost: $196 to $391 per credit (in-state); $253 to $507 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: TESU offers several in-house award options as well as a centralized database of outside scholarships.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

4. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University has an online BS in digital technology and design, which offers a concentration option in cybersecurity and cloud computing. Within the 120-credit program, students can choose almost one-third of their coursework using electives they are most interested in. In addition to customizing their curriculum plan, students can apply up to 90 credit hours of transfer courses with a 2.0 or higher GPA.

• Estimated tuition cost: $292 per credit
• Financial aid: Arkansas State has several in-house scholarship opportunities, including an out-of-state student award.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

5. Northwest Vista College

Northwest Vista College (NVC) is part of the Alamo Colleges District and offers one of the lowest undergraduate tuition rates for online programs. NVC's Bachelor of Applied Technology in cloud computing enables students to earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and multiple industry certifications as they progress through the program.

Coursework includes concepts in engineering graphics, cloud foundations, Linux fundamentals, and datacenter operations.

• Estimated tuition cost: $109 per credit (in-state); $180 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Students can apply for NVC scholarships as well as utilize external sources of financial aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

6. CSU Global

CSU Global offers a specialization in virtualization and cloud computing that students can pursue within one of three online degree programs:

• BS in computer science
• BS in information technology
• BS in management information systems and business analytics

Students can customize their program to better prepare for their career goals and areas of interest. Classes are offered as accelerated, eight-week terms, and students can begin their program at 12 start dates each year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $375 per credit
• Financial aid: CSU Global has multiple scholarships available as well as resources for finding outside awards.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Capella University

Capella University offers a BS in information technology (IT), network and cloud computing program that enables students to earn an industry certificate while pursuing their degree. Students can complete general education classes for free through a school partnership program, reducing the overall cost of the bachelor's degree. Coursework includes concepts related to cloud networks, resource pooling, infrastructure, and vulnerabilities of systems.

• Estimated tuition cost: $375 to $415 per credit
• Financial aid: Capella offers a bachelor's level scholarship of up to $15,000 that IT students can apply for.
• Accreditation: HLC

8. ECPI University

ECPI University has a BS in information and cybersecurity operations with a cloud computing concentration option. Students complete 120 credit hours and take courses like ethical hacking, network virtualization, Kubernetes in cloud security, and AWS foundations. ECPI students receive discounted rates for industry certification exams and can complete their degree entirely online or combine online and in-person classes.

• Estimated tuition cost: $484 to $726 per credit (full-time)
• Financial aid: ECPI awards millions of dollars in scholarships every year, including an automatic $1,000 award for undergraduate students.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Strayer University

The BS in IT with a concentration in cloud computing at Strayer University is available online and offers several options for reducing costs. Students can transfer up to 28 courses into the program; they can also complete general education courses for free. Within the program, students develop skills for creating and maintaining various cloud systems, including Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services.

• Estimated tuition cost: $508 per credit
• Financial aid: Several types of aid are available, including a scholarship that provides a tuition-free class for every three classes earned.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

How We Rank Schools

We select schools for our rankings by reviewing many relevant programs from schools across the country. To ensure that our featured schools are the best options, we assess each program based on specific criteria.

• Accreditation: All schools featured on Learn.org have been awarded school-wide accreditation after meeting various academic criteria.
• Affordability: The featured programs have tuition rates of around $500 and less, as these are more accessible to students than those with higher costs.
• Program reputation: Programs use up-to-date cloud computing practices and resources so that students are prepared for modern-day, real-world tasks.

What To Expect From an Affordable Online Cloud Computing Degree

Programs usually consist of 120 credits, which take four years or less of full-time enrollment to complete. Students who take more classes per term, as well as those who transfer in coursework, may be able to finish in around two years.

While curriculum varies by program, students often study machine learning, project management, computer network systems, cloud security, and other concepts that are essential to cloud computing. Some bachelor's degrees are specifically titled ''cloud computing,'' while other options consist of a cloud computing concentration within a broader program (e.g., computer science).

FAQs About Low-Cost Online Cloud Computing Degrees

If you are considering a career in cloud computing and an online degree to prepare, think about what program features are going to support your experience and goals. The FAQs below can help to shed light on some of the things that you should focus on.

Which Degree Is Best for Cloud Computing?

It depends on what types of roles you are pursuing, but a bachelor's in cloud computing is the most common degree for cloud computing careers. Earning relevant industry certifications, such as CompTIA Cloud+, AWS Certified Developer, and Microsoft Azure certifications, is also extremely beneficial.

Is an Online Cloud Computing Degree Worth It?

If you plan to pursue a career in technology, then a cloud computing degree is a valuable investment of your time. Even if you don't directly pursue a role as a cloud or solutions architect, more and more businesses are utilizing cloud technology within their operations.

What Can You Do With a Cloud Computing Degree?

A cloud computing degree is applicable in nearly every role in computer and information technology, from software developers to computer programmers. Some of the most common roles that cloud computing graduates pursue are cloud engineer, cloud administrator, DevOps engineer, cloud security analyst, and cloud project manager.

How Long Does It Take To Get a Cloud Computing Degree?

If your highest education is a high school diploma or equivalent, you can earn a bachelor's in three to four years (full-time). If you have related work experience, prior college coursework, or military experience, then you might be able to cut that time in half by receiving transfer credits.

Which Certification Is Best for Cloud Computing?

According to CompTIA, which is a leader in cloud technologies and certifications, the best certifications for cloud computing professionals include: CompTIA Cloud+, Google Cloud DevOps certifications, Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), AWS certifications (such as the associate options), and Microsoft Azure certifications.

Discover Online Cloud Computing Degrees

Explore more great cloud computing and information technology programs on Learn.org, including many of the most affordable online options. Reach out to the schools that interest you to get started.