Top 15 Affordable Online STEM Degrees in 2026

<p>Multiple colleges and universities across the U.S. offer affordable online STEM degree programs. We've listed some of the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/affordable_online_degrees_us.html">most affordable online colleges</a> that offer top bachelor's degree programs below. </p> <h3 id="section---1.UniversityOfMarylandGlobalCampus">1. University of Maryland Global Campus</h3> <p>The University of Maryland Global Campus is the online campus of the public University System of Maryland. It offers a Bachelor of Science in data science that teaches students how to transform data into actionable insights. </p> <p>This 120-credit program costs $324 per credit for in-state students and $499 for out-of-state students. The university also allows students to transfer in up to 90 credits and offers multiple scholarship opportunities. </p> <h3 id="section---2.SouthernNewHampshireUniversity">2. Southern New Hampshire University</h3> <p>Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit university in Manchester, New Hampshire. It offers a Bachelor of Science in computer science online with concentrations in data analysis, information security, project management, and software engineering. </p> <p>This program costs $330 per credit. SNHU allows students to use up to 90 transfer credits and accepts <a href="https://learn.org/articles/types_of_college_financial_aid.html">financial aid</a> like <a href="https://learn.org/pages/scholarship_home.html">scholarships</a> and grants. </p> <h3 id="section---3.UniversityOfPhoenix">3. University of Phoenix</h3> <p>The University of Phoenix is a private for-profit university based in Phoenix, Arizona. It offers a BS in environmental science with coursework covering conservation, ecology, and sustainability. </p> <p>The cost per credit for this degree is $398. Students can also use transfer credits and financial aid to reduce their overall tuition. </p> <h3 id="section---4.UniversityOfFlorida">4. University of Florida</h3> <p>The University of Florida is a public land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida. It provides broad training in biology and enough flexibility to specialize in particular subdisciplines. </p> <p>In-state students studying online pay only $129.18 in tuition costs and fees per credit. Tuition for out-of-state students is higher, at $552.62 per credit. </p> <h3 id="section---5.UniversityOfNorthDakota">5. University of North Dakota</h3> <p>The University of North Dakota is a public research university in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It offers an online math degree that teaches students how to solve problems and think analytically. </p> <p>All online students pay the same cost, regardless of state of residency. The cost for this online STEM education is $456.31 for tuition and fees. </p> <h3 id="section---6.StonyBrookUniversity">6. Stony Brook University</h3> <p>Stony Brook University is a public research university on Long Island in New York City. It offers an online bachelor's degree completion program for electrical engineering that provides thorough training and education in the fundamentals of electrical engineering. </p> <p>In-state students pay $295 per credit or a flat rate of $3,535 for twelve credits or more each semester. Out-of-state students studying online pay $353 per credit or a flat rate of $4,240 for a full-time course load. </p> <h3 id="section---7.ArizonaStateUniversityOnline">7. Arizona State University Online</h3> <p>Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry, where students gain a fundamental understanding of organic, inorganic, and analytical chemistry. </p> <p>Tuition costs vary depending on how many credits you're taking, but in-state students pay $6,570 per semester for 12 credits while out-of-state students pay $7,719 for the same amount. Scholarships are available to help students pay for their tuition. </p> <h3 id="section---8.TexasTechUniversity">8. Texas Tech University</h3> <p>Texas Tech University is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas. It offers an online degree in human sciences that uses the same curriculum as the on-campus program. </p> <p>The cost per credit depends on how many credits you take. For 12 credits, it's $5,024 per semester for in-state residents and $9,944 for out-of-state residents. </p> <h3 id="section---9.OregonStateUniversity">9. Oregon State University</h3> <p>Oregon State University is a public research university based in Corvallis, Oregon. It offers an online bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering that provides traditional mechanical engineering training alongside computational engineering skills. </p> <p>This program costs $428 per credit, and between 181 and 182 quarter credits are required. There is no additional charge for online students who live out of state. </p> <h3 id="section---10.FloridaInternationalUniversityOnline">10. Florida International University Online</h3> <p>Florida International University (FIU) is a public research university in University Park, Florida. It offers an information technology bachelor's program online that includes courses in programming, software development, information systems, database development, computer networking, operating systems, and more. </p> <p>In-state students pay a rate of $235.57 per credit hour, not including fees. For out-of-state students, the tuition rate is $648.87 per credit. </p> <h3 id="section---11.NationalUniversity">11. National University</h3> <p>National University is a private university based in San Diego, California. It offers an online degree program for cybersecurity, with specializations available in computer network defense, digital forensics, and information technology management. </p> <p>The average tuition rate at National University is $13,284 per year for undergraduate students. The university also offers multiple scholarships and accepts outside financial aid. </p> <h3 id="section---12.TheUniversityOfArizonaGlobal">12. The University of Arizona Global</h3> <p>The University of Arizona Global Campus is the online college of the public University of Arizona. It combines information technology, software engineering, and computer science in its BS in computer software technology program. </p> <p>Undergraduate students pay $460 per credit. The university also accepts transfer credits and offers additional financial aid options. </p> <h3 id="section---13.UniversityOfAlabama">13. University of Alabama</h3> <p>The University of Alabama is a public research university in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It offers an online human environmental science program that allows students to create their own curriculums. </p> <p>The tuition cost for this program is $385 per credit hour. Distance learners are charged the same amount, regardless of state of residency, and the university also offers scholarships specifically for online learning. </p> <h3 id="section---14.KennesawStateUniversity">14. Kennesaw State University</h3> <p>Kennesaw State University is a public research university in Kennesaw, Georgia. It provides students with the foundations of computer science and applications in the computing and data science industry through its BS in computer science degree. </p> <p>Online students pay $2,280 for 12 credits, though part-time students pay more per credit. To help students avoid taking out student loans, the university offers scholarship opportunities. </p> <h3 id="section---15.MississippiStateUniversity">15. Mississippi State University</h3> <p>Mississippi State University is a public land-grant research university in Mississippi State, Mississippi. It offers an online Bachelor of Applied Science that allows students to pursue a few areas of study. </p> <p>This program is for those who have already completed an Associate of Applied Science. All online students pay $419 per credit, with no additional fee for out-of-state students. </p> <h2 id="section---FAQsAboutAffordableOnlineSTEMDegrees">FAQs About Affordable Online STEM Degrees</h2> <p>Below, we've answered frequently asked questions about the affordability of online STEM degrees. </p> <h3 id="section---HowDoTheCostsOfOnlineSTEMDegreesCompareToTraditionalPrograms">How Do the Costs of Online STEM Degrees Compare to Traditional Programs?</h3> <p>Online STEM programs usually cost the same as an on-campus program or may be cheaper. However, this varies between colleges, and occasionally an online STEM degree may cost more. </p> <p>You'll likely see the most significant savings if you apply to an out-of-state public school. Some public institutions don't charge an out-of-state rate to online learners. </p> <h3 id="section---AreOnlineSTEMDegreesFromAccreditedInstitutionsRecognizedByEmployers">Are Online STEM Degrees From Accredited Institutions Recognized by Employers?</h3> <p>As online education becomes more popular, online STEM degrees are being recognized by employers just like on-campus degrees. However, if you're worried, you don't have to mention that you studied online. If you learned online through an institution that offers on-campus programs, your diploma typically won't specify that you learned online. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatFinancialAidOptionsAreAvailableForOnlineSTEMStudents">What Financial Aid Options Are Available for Online STEM Students?</h3> <p>Many financial aid options are available to those in the STEM field, and scholarships and grants usually aren't limited to on-campus learning. You can find various scholarships and grants online, through resources like the U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop scholarship finder.</p>