Which Colleges Have Computer Programming Degrees in Baltimore, MD?

Learn about computer programming degrees in Baltimore. See program and specialization options, degree requirements and classes, and get job growth and salary info for the region. Schools offering Computer Programming degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

Career Information for Computer Programmers in Maryland

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that Maryland employed around 7,000 computer programmers, 14,000 systems software developers and 12,000 applications software developers as of May 2011. The Baltimore area had some of the highest employment levels for both programmers and developers, and Maryland was among the top-paying states for software developers. In 2011, the BLS reported that the mean annual wage was around $77,000 for programmers in the Baltimore area, $109,000 for systems software developers and $100,000 for applications software developers.

The BLS predicted 30% growth nationally for software developers from 2010-2020. Computer programmers have less favorable job prospects with 12% growth expected over the same period. The BLS noted that outsourcing may hinder growth for both programmers and software developers.

Studying Computer Programming in Maryland

Both public and private schools near Baltimore offer a variety of degree programs that focus on developing computer games, computer software and web applications. Although software engineering programs exist, computer science programs are most common at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the area. Most of these programs don't focus on programming alone but sometimes offer concentrations related to software engineering, game development or web application development.

Bachelor's Degree Programs near Baltimore

Capitol College

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Science
  • Field of Study Options: Computer science, software engineering, software and Internet applications
  • Program Length: 4 years (full-time)
  • Tuition: $10,488 per semester (full-time cost for Spring 2012)
  • Prerequisites: High school diploma (2.2 GPA for non-engineering majors or 2.8 GPA for engineering majors) or GED; high school coursework in math, science and social science
  • Requirements: Admission test
  • School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; around 350 undergraduate students and 400 graduate students
  • Address: 11301 Springfield Rd., Laurel, MD 20708
  • Phone: 301-953-3200

Capitol College is a small rural school with around 750 students, and it offers programs that focus on creating applications for both computers and the web. The computer science and software engineering programs both include courses in software design, Java programming language, operating systems and systems engineering.

If you focus on computer science, you can also study telecommunications, database implementation and intelligent systems. The software and Internet applications program offers you training in desktop and web programing languages, information security, web page design and multimedia. All programs require a senior software project.

Johns Hopkins University

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Computer Science
  • Specialization Areas: Natural language processing, information security, software engineering, robotics, video game design
  • Program Length: 4 years (full-time)
  • Tuition: $42,280 per year (tuition for 2011-2012)
  • Requirements: Admission test; essays; teacher evaluations
  • School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; around 6,000 undergraduate students and 15,000 graduate students
  • Address: 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218
  • Phone: 410-516-8775

Johns Hopkins University offers two bachelor's degree programs in computer science. The B.S. program is designed for students who want careers specifically in technology, and the B.A. program can help you prepare to study a different field in conjunction with computer science. You can expect to take courses in introductory and intermediate programming, data structures, algorithms and computational theory, in addition to courses in calculus and discrete mathematics.

The software engineering concentration includes a senior design project and courses in object-oriented programming, probability and statistics, computational theory and computer systems. You may also do an internship during your winter or summer break.

Loyola University - Maryland

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Computer Science
  • Specialization Areas: Software engineering, general computer science, interdisciplinary study
  • Program Length: 4 years (full-time)
  • Tuition: $20,513 per 12-18 credits/term for full-time students, $665 per credit for part-time students (3-9 credits/term) (tuition for 2012-2013)
  • Requirements: Letters of recommendation; admission test (optional, but an additional letter of recommendation or an essay is required without the test scores)
  • School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; around 3,800 undergraduate students and 2,300 graduate students
  • Address: 4501 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21210
  • Phone: 410-617-2464

This school's computer science department gives you access to servers and workstations with various operating systems, and there are opportunities to complete internships and attend seminars featuring field leaders. The B.S. program, which is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, includes extensive courses in math, science and computer science to give you a solid foundation in the field.

If you enroll in the B.A. program, you have fewer required courses, giving you the option to pursue electives in another discipline. Both the B.S. and B.A. program offer a concentration in software engineering, which includes courses in software testing, databases and programming languages. A computer science final project is required during your senior year.

University of Maryland - Baltimore County

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
  • Specialization Areas: Game development, information assurance
  • Program Length: 4 years (full-time)
  • Tuition: $9,467 for in-state residents, $19,870 for out-of-state residents (tuition and fees for 2011-2012)
  • Requirements: SAT or ACT scores; letters of recommendation
  • School Type: 4-year, public; around 10,200 undergrads and 2,700 grads
  • Address: 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250
  • Phone: 410-455-3500

As an undergraduate computer science student, you take core courses in software design, programming languages, data structures, operating systems and algorithms, as well as advanced mathematics. In the game development concentration, you can learn how to design programming code and graphics for computer games. You take courses in artificial intelligence and computer graphics in addition to a group games project, and you can study software engineering and graphical user interface programming for the concentration's electives. You also have opportunities to pursue independent study projects and internships related to software development.

Master's Degree Programs in Baltimore

Loyola University - Maryland

  • Program Name: Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Software Engineering
  • Program Length: 2-3 years (full-time)
  • Tuition: $825 per credit (cost for 2012-2013)
  • Requirements: Bachelor's degree; resume; essay; professional or academic recommendations
  • School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; around 3,800 undergraduate students and 2,300 graduate students
  • Address: 4501 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21210
  • Phone: 410-617-2464

Loyola's Department of Computer Science offers a software engineering master's program designed for those with software development experience. This program focuses on software project planning, development and testing; you can take elective courses in business or another technology area.

The school also offers a computer science master's program that covers programming, databases, networking and algorithms. Concentrations in software engineering, web development and networking are available for the computer science program, and you can complete a thesis or independent study project as a replacement for one or two courses.

University of Maryland - Baltimore County

  • Program Name: Master of Science in Computer Science
  • Specialization Areas: Algorithms, theory and scientific computation; computer networks and systems; databases, information and knowledge management; graphics, animation and visualization
  • Program Length: 2 years (full-time)
  • Tuition: $510 per credit for Maryland residents; $844 per credit for out-of-state students (costs for 2011-2012)
  • Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree; extensive undergraduate coursework in computer science and mathematics
  • Requirements: GRE scores; letters of recommendation; statement purpose
  • School Type: 4-year, public; around 10,200 undergrads and 2,700 grads
  • Address: 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250
  • Phone: 410-455-3500

UMBC's master's degree program in computer science requires an undergraduate background in computer science and mathematics; this includes programming languages, operating systems, algorithms and data structures. You take core courses in algorithms, operating systems and architecture, as well as classes in your area of specialization. You may choose a thesis option with an oral exam or a non-thesis option with the completion of a scholarly paper.

To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:

  • 1. Degree Options:

Popular Schools