| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flat Tuition (Bachelor’s) | $3,985 / six months |
| Resource / Tech Fee | $145 per term |
| Proctoring | Included |
| Advantages | Potential Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Finish fast at flat cost | Requires strong self-discipline |
| Accepts extensive transfer/CLEP credit | Full term tuition due up front |
| Monthly entry points | Limited in-person networking |
| Industry certifications embedded | State licensure limits for some teaching/nursing majors |
| Term | Target CUs | Inside-WGU Courses (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 30 | Intro to CS, Applied Pro & Stats, Calculus I, Systems Thinking |
| Term 2 | 30 | Discrete Math I & II, Data Structures I, Computer Architecture |
| Term 3 | 30 | Data Structures II, Operating Systems, Software Engineering, Intro to AI |
| Term 4 | 30 | Databases, Advanced AI/ML Elective, Capstone/Team Project |
| WGU Requirement | CUs* | Outside Option Type | When to Take | Key Transfer Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Computer Science | 3-4 | ACE Course or Community College (CC) | Pre-enroll | Match outcomes (computing history, problem solving, basic code concepts) |
| Applied Probability and Statistics | 3-4 | ACE course or CLEP exam | Pre-enroll | Match outcomes (probability + inference) |
| Scripting and Programming - Foundations | 3-4 | ACE Course or CC | Pre-enroll | Control structures, functions, testing fundamentals |
| Data Management - Foundations | 3-4 | ACE Course or CC | Pre-enroll | ER modeling, normalization, and relational concepts required |
| Network and Security - Foundations | 3 | ACE Course or CC | Pre-enroll | OSI/TCP-IP basics + core security principles |
| Calculus I | 4 | CC | Pre-enroll | Limits, derivatives, integrals; check math prereqs |
| Web Development Foundations | 3-4 | ACE Course or CC | Pre-enroll | Verify semantic HTML, CSS layout, and basic JS |
| Data Management - Applications | 3-4 | ACE Course or CC | Pre-enroll | DDL/DML, joins, constraints, transaction basics |
| Introduction to Systems Thinking and Applications | 3 | ACE Course or CC | Pre-enroll | Systems models, feedback loops, and real-world applications |
| Discrete Mathematics I | 3-4 | ACE Course or CC | Pre-enroll | Sets, logic, proofs, combinatorics, Calc I prereq may apply |
| Introduction to Communication: Connecting w/ Others | 3 | ACE Course or DSST Public Speaking (if accepted) | Pre-enroll | Some exams require recorded speeches; confirm format |
| Computer Architecture | 3-4 | Outside match rare | WGU | Low-level architecture outcomes are program-specific; plan in-residence |
| Java Fundamentals | 3-4 | ACE Course or CC | Pre-enroll | Must cover Java OOP, exceptions, collections — not just pseudocode |
| Composition: Successful Self-Expression | 3-4 | ACE Course or CLEP | Pre-enroll | Rhetoric, research writing, citation standards |
| American Politics and the US Constitution | 3 | ACE Course or CLEP | Pre-enroll | Ensure explicit constitution coverage per WGU outcomes |
| Java Frameworks | 3 | Outside match rare | WGU | Framework-specific depth varies; residency recommended |
| Linux Foundations | 3 | ACE Course or CC | Pre-enroll | Shell, permissions, filesystems, basic admin tasks |
| Fundamentals of Information Security | 3 | ACE Course or CC | Pre-enroll | CIA triad, risk, controls; breadth beyond a single tool |
| Operating Systems for Computer Scientists | 3-4 | Outside match rare | WGU | Concurrency, processes/threads, memory management; in-residence |
| Data Structures and Algorithms I | 3-4 | Outside match rare | WGU | Tight alignment to WGU DS&A outcomes; most complete in-program |
| Business of IT - Applications | 3 | ACE Course or CC | Pre-enroll | Map to IT service management/process improvement (not cert substitution) |
| Software Engineering | 3-4 | Outside match rare | WGU | Requirements, processes, testing at depth; residency recommended |
| Software Design and Quality Assurance | 3-4 | Outside match rare | WGU | Design patterns, QA, CI/CD practices — typically residency |
| Introduction to AI for Computer Scientists | 3 | Outside match rare | WGU | AI foundations (search, basic ML); expect in-residence |
| Lower-Div CS Elective | 3 | ACE Course or CC | Pre-enroll | Elective credit only |
| Capstone / Upper-Div Core | 3-6 | WGU Only | Inside WGU | Must be completed in residency |
| Platform | Cost Range & Inclusions | Best For (WGU BSCS) | Est. Cost / 3-CU* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study.com | $235/mo unlimited access to 220+ courses, AI tutoring, human coaching, up to 3 active courses | Mapped CS core + math/IT foundations with built-in testing | ~$95 - $160 |
| Sophia.org | ~$99/mo unlimited, no per-course fees | Cheap gen eds & electives (no labs, no calc) | ~$15 - $45 |
| StraighterLine | $99/mo + $59–$249/course (+ proctor/lab fees) | One-off STEM needs (Calc, lab science) | ~$110 – $200 |
| WGU BSCS Bucket | Study.com Alternatives | Sophia Alternatives | StraighterLine Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Computer Science | Computer Science 102: Fundamentals of Information Technology | Introduction to Information Technology | Information Technology Fundamentals |
| Applied Probability and Statistics | Statistics 101: Principles of Statistics | Introduction to Statistics | Introduction to Statistics |
| Scripting and Programming - Foundations | Computer Science 109: Introduction to Programming | x | x |
| Data Management - Foundations | Computer Science 107: Database Fundamentals | x | x |
| Network and Security - Foundations | Computer Science 202: Network and System Security | Introduction to Networking | x |
| Calculus I | Math 104: Calculus | Calculus I | Calculus I |
| Web Development Foundations | Computer Science 109: Introduction to Programming | Introduction to Web Development | x |
| Data Management - Applications | Computer Science 303: Database Management | Introduction to Relational Databases | x |
| Introduction to Systems Thinking and Applications | Computer Science 302: Systems Analysis & Design | x | x |
| Discrete Mathematics I | Math 108: Discrete Mathematics | x | x |
| Introduction to Communication: Connecting with Others | Communications 102: Interpersonal Communication | x | x |
| Computer Architecture | Computer Science 306: Computer Architecture | x | x |
| Java Fundamentals | Computer Science 115: Programming in Java | Introduction to Java Programming | Introduction to Programming - Java |
| Composition: Successful Self-Expression | English 204: English Composition I | Foundations of English Composition | English Composition I |
| American Politics and the US Constitution | Political Science 102: American Government | U.S. Government | x |
| Java Frameworks | Computer Science 115: Programming in Java | x | x |
| Linux Foundations | Computer Science 106: Introduction to Linux | x | x |
| Fundamentals of Information Security | Computer Science 110: Introduction to Cybersecurity | x | x |
| Operating Systems for Computer Scientists | Computer Science 305: Operating Systems | x | x |
| Data Structures and Algorithms I | Computer Science 201: Data Structures & Algorithms | x | x |
| Business of IT - Applications | Business 109: Intro to Computing | x | x |
| Software Engineering | Computer Science 307: Software Engineering | x | x |
| Software Design and Quality Assurance | Computer Science 302: Systems Analysis & Design | x | x |
| Introduction to AI for Computer Scientists | Computer Science 311: Artificial Intelligence | x | x |
Breakdown of the 120 Credit Hours in a Bachelor's Degree
Pie chart showing:
Up to 90 of these credits can come from transfer or alternative sources!