I've been coding as a hobby for years, especially in Python, but I never had any formal training because I was homeschooled. While I've enjoyed coding, I feel like I hit a wall after finishing CS50X and CS50P a couple of years ago. Now, I'm eager to dive deeper into computer science theory since I want to build a better foundational understanding beyond just basic scripting. Since going for a traditional university degree isn't possible for me, I'm exploring structured online alternatives like OSSU and TeachYourselfCS. OSSU seems to start from scratch and fosters a strong community, which I'm leaning toward, but TeachYourselfCS appears to be more concise and targeted for someone with some prior knowledge. Based on my background, which path do you think would be better for me to pursue? Or do you have any other recommendations?
4 Answers
There are some affordable accredited online degrees you might want to consider too. For example, University of the People costs around $6,000 total for the entire degree, and they don’t transfer credits. WGU is about $7,000 per year, which you might finish in a year depending on how fast you work. I went through SNHU and ended up transitioning to OMSCS at Georgia Tech for my master’s—it’s a solid program and the whole degree was around $6,000 as well!
Thanks for the info! I’ll keep those schools in mind, but I think I want to start off with some free resources before diving into anything paid.
I’ve dabbled in TeachYourselfCS, and while it has a good curriculum, it tends to be a dry experience demanding a lot of self-discipline. You'd do a lot of textbook reading without much external motivation. You could try that then enroll in WGU or another school for a semester to test out of some things and get credits that way, which might speed things along for you.
You might want to look at university course pages to see their formal curriculum. They cover a vast array of topics much deeper than just the basics, including how to design and publish scientific research. It’s a huge undertaking to tackle on your own without any academic support, but starting with some general learning and then focusing on specific areas as you go could work well for you.
Getting a job without a degree can be tough, but OSSU might be a good bet for you. It’s designed for people without a CS background and has a solid structure that could help you develop your skills better.
I’m currently halfway through my bachelor's in comp sci at SNHU and it’s been great! I started with WGU, but their testing approach didn’t suit me. SNHU has been a much better fit, and I recommend it! I'm also looking to head towards OMSCS after I graduate.