Fastrack Your Tech Career with an Accelerated Computer Science Degree
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At Pacific University, you can get your bachelor's degree in computer science in only three years instead of the usual four. A three-year degree is a concentrated or accelerated bachelor’s and is increasingly offered at U.S. universities. As of fall 2027, Pacific University will be the first in Oregon to offer in-person three-year degrees. These degrees include the same major requirements as their four-year equivalents, but create a concentrated pathway so that students can complete their studies in 96 credits (about 21 courses) instead of the regular 124 credits (about 31 courses). This efficient structure is ideal for students who want to join the workforce as quickly as possible.
How Many Years for an Accelerated Computer Science Degree?
A bachelor’s degree in computer science usually takes four years to complete, but the accelerated computer science bachelor’s degree at Pacific allows you to complete the program in just three years. This allows you to save a full year on tuition and get into the workforce a year early. Pacific University has designed their three-year degree programs to be completed during the regular academic year, meaning you don’t have to take summer classes and can use your school breaks for internships or travel.
What Will I Study in An Accelerated Computer Science Degree?
Your course of study in a three-year computer science degree will include courses in programming, calculus, mobile development, algorithm design, software engineering, web development and more. At Pacific University, these are the same computer science courses that four-year degree students take in the major. You’ll also complete a capstone project to complete your degree. Experiential learning is also considered crucial to your academic experience and accelerated degree students are encouraged to participate in internships.
Why Choose a Three-Year Computer Science Degree?
When choosing between a three-year and four-year degree program in computer science, you’ll want to consider your prior preparation, your future career and educational goals, and what experience you would like to have in your degree program. Because the accelerated option condenses the same required computer science major courses over three years, three-year computer science students must arrive at Pacific ready for calculus. The four-year computer science degree is a better choice for students who are not ready for calculus in the fall semester of their first year.
Students tend to choose the accelerated computer science degree for the following reasons:
An accelerated computer science degree prepares you for your career faster.
A three-year computer science degree puts you on the fast track for careers in AI engineering, software development, cybersecurity, and more. This concentrated degree focuses on getting you into the workforce as efficiently as possible.
You have clear goals for your education and career.
If you already know you want to major in computer science and pursue a computer science career, then a three-year computer science degree can be the most efficient pathway. For students who are unsure of their major or want to take more time to explore different academic disciplines in college, a four-year degree offers more room and time for discovery.
You know you want a computer science degree but college is too expensive.
A three-year degree costs 25% less than its four-year equivalent. You can save a full year of tuition and start (or return to) full time work a year early. At Pacific University, three-year degree students are also eligible for the same financial aid as four-year students.
You’ve worked with an academic advisor to plan your course.
Three-year students must work closely with their academic advisors to make sure that they are taking the right courses to complete their degrees efficiently and to prepare for their post-graduation careers. At Pacific, academic advisors help three-year students to plan their courses and achieve their goals as they work through the concentrated program.