As with other online master’s degree options, those interested in seeking an information technology online master’s degree can expect to see a sizeable increase in their salary, as well as greater responsibilities in their workplace. Interestingly, many online master’s information technology students don’t even seek out a job in their particular industry.
Instead, information technology graduates tend to move towards other industries where computer specialists are especially valued for their unique array of skills. Still, as lucrative as an information technology job may be, it can be difficult to balance work, life, and school.
Thankfully, online master’s degree programs are an excellent alternative to a traditional post-graduate experience. To help students make a decision as to which school’s program is the right fit for them, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best online master’s information technology programs currently available across the country.
For our ranking system, we used a number of different factors to determine our rankings, although we’ve primarily tried to focus on the return on investment as the greatest indicator of program success.
Of course, in addition to the return on investment, we have also looked closely at the quality of the program’s faculty. To accurately quantify this, we’ve used student testimonials, as well as the average rate of graduation for students from a program. With these two measures, we have been able to estimate the quality of a program’s faculty, which can often be just as important to students as the value of the program itself.
Finally, an essential component of an online master’s degree program is its flexibility. If a university does not allow students to work at their own speed, then its value as an online program is lost. With this in mind, we have gone through each of the school’s programs listed here to see how flexible they are.
After combining these various factors, we have compiled a list of 17 schools that we believe to be the best for students seeking an online master’s degree in information technology.
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Related (Online):
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University offers students two different online master’s degree programs in information technology: information technology management and information security and assurance. As nice as this versatility is, it’s not what puts Carnegie Mellon University at the top of this list though.
The primary factor for its number one spot is its return on investment, which is absurdly high compared to every other school on this list. In addition to its excellent financial output, Carnegie Mellon University is incredibly flexible in its online offerings to students, ensuring that people can properly balance their work and education schedules.
Students who want to expand their knowledge at the best school for information technology should seriously consider Carnegie Mellon University. They are simply the best in virtually every regard for a student who is okay with paying a larger tuition fee. It’s rare for a school to be worth a high tuition, but Carnegie Mellon University is.
New Jersey Institute of Technology
As with the Florida Institute of Technology, it should come as no surprise that the New Jersey Institute of Technology also provides students with an excellent resource for expanding their knowledge of information technology.
Specifically, the New Jersey Institute of Technology focuses on integrating the knowledge gained from an information technology degree into the business world with its online master’s degree program in business and information systems. Students who want to expand away from their undergraduate major and become key players at their workplace will want to look into this degree program and the institution offering it.
Florida Institute of Technology
As its name implies, Florida Institute of Technology specializes in providing students with a high-quality education focused on new advances in technology.
As such, students can earn a post-graduate degree in information technology, information technology management, enterprise resource planning, cybersecurity, database administration, and computer information systems. In regards to its return on investment, the Florida Institute of Technology is one of the best on this list, although obviously not the best.
Furthermore, the Florida Institute of Technology has invested a sizable portion of its resources into ensuring that its online degree programs are as flexible as possible. Students who want to receive an excellent education at a comparatively affordable rate should contact the Florida Institute of Technology for more information. Given the sheer number of available online degree programs, there is likely to be something for students of all preferences.
University of Maryland
Located in Adelphi, Maryland, the University of Maryland offers many different online master’s information technology programs that focus on vastly different industries. Regarding specifics, the University of Maryland offers online master’s degree programs in accounting and information systems, financial management and information systems, cyber security, and information technology.
Students who are interested in coordinating business functionality with innovative technology systems will be interested in accounting or financial information management programs. Of course, students who are more interested in developing new and innovative methods in combating hacking attempts will want to specialize in the field of cyber security.
Regardless of the decision, students who want to attend a school that takes online education seriously will want to look further into the University of Maryland.
University of Texas – Dallas
Through its Richardson campus, the University of Texas offers students the opportunity to earn an online master’s degree in information technology management. As with many other universities listed here, students in the information technology management program can expect to work with information systems and learn how to incorporate new and existing technologies into the management of these systems.
Given the return on investment with the University of Texas, students who are interested in improving their financial situation and are eager to join the workforce should contact the University of Texas for more information.
Drexel University
Through its Drexel University Online initiative, Drexel University offers students several different post-graduate opportunities in the information technology field. Specifically, Drexel University provides students with the ability to earn an online master’s degree in information systems, software engineering for computer systems, and software engineering for information science and technologies.
Through each of these varied programs, students will learn how to develop, operate, and integrate complex systems into new environments. Through the two software engineering tracks, students will become more familiar with the process involved in designing new programs and developing them to overcome existing problems.
Students who want to attend a highly recommended school with an excellent return on investment should seriously consider Drexel University and its online programs.
Penn State World Campus
At Pennsylvania State University, the school prides itself on offering students an online post-graduate program that is as flexible as its students need it to be. This includes courses that can be completed entirely online without even entering a classroom. Regarding specific features of its online program, Pennsylvania State University offers an online master’s degree program in information sciences, cybersecurity, and information assurance.
Through this program, students will study best practices for keeping data secure between information channels. Students who want to specifically focus on keeping outsiders from spying on valuable information or simply want a change of pace from other computer engineering programs should give Pennsylvania State University and its online degree program a closer look.
Syracuse University
Syracuse University has earned its spot on this list with its excellent return on investment and the prestige of its services. Just as with Colorado Technical University, Syracuse University offers several online master’s information technology programs to its students. Specifically, Syracuse University offers students the opportunity to earn post-graduate degrees in telecommunications, network management, and information management.
Through its communications and network management program, students become more familiar with network security and systems development, while students in the information management track spend more time learning how to implement new technologies into existing systems.
Regardless of which program a student chooses to enroll in, Syracuse University does not offer a fully online master’s degree program for either. This lack of flexibility is perhaps the largest contributing factor to its ranking in this list and should be heavily considered by any students interested in attending Syracuse University.
Colorado Technical University
Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado Technical University offers a much larger variety of online master’s information technology programs than those found at other educational institutions. Specifically, Colorado Technical University offers online master’s programs in data management, network management, security management, and information systems security.
Through each of these concentrations, students become increasingly specialized in network and data management. While each concentration represents a considerable time commitment, Colorado Technical University does not require any admissions test for graduate students.
Students who are interested in acquiring some specializations or are more comfortable with an online degree program that forces them into a specific track should contact Colorado Technical University for more information.
Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University is a private school located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Through its College of Engineering and Computing, Nova Southeastern University offers its students an affordably priced online master’s degree program that succeeds in providing virtually everything a student could want from an online information technology program.
Unfortunately, much of this value comes at the cost of flexibility. Nova Southeastern University’s program is a hybrid mix of traditional and digital classrooms, requiring students to be on campus more often than they might otherwise be comfortable with.
Aside from its location requirements, Nova Southeastern University offers some features online to be more accommodating to students, including an online chatroom and forums for class discussions. Students who are interested in receiving a high-quality education and are willing to sacrifice a considerable part of their flexibility might be interested in Nova Southeastern University’s distance learning offerings.
Arizona State University
Through its Tempe Campus, Arizona State University offers an online master’s program that takes complete advantage of everything the Internet has to offer its students. This includes online office hours, a mobile app to keep track of assignments and an online course management system that keeps students up to date on all of their assignments. This commitment to technological functionality should not come as a surprise, though, as Arizona State University has received awards for its innovation.
Regarding program specifics, Arizona State University’s graphic information technology program is designed primarily for those who are interested in producing and managing digital content. Students who want to focus more on the business aspects of information technology or other industries will want to consider a different online master’s degree program.
For any students who are specifically interested in graphic design, though, Arizona State University is a solid choice.
Sullivan University
Sullivan University is a private school in Louisville, Kentucky, with an online master’s degree program in managing information technology. Through this program, students will learn how to adapt to technology that is constantly evolving and incorporate it into their business plans. Of particular interest to students in this program are e-supply and intranet applications and how they can be integrated into a management plan.
While Sullivan University has a lower-than-average return on investment, it makes up for this with the flexibility offered to students through its online program and the quality of education it delivers. Students who want to specifically focus on incorporating their skills into the business world will want to give Sullivan University a deeper look.
Regis University
Based in Denver, Colorado, Regis University has a considerable improvement over the previous entries in this list regarding the return on investment. Also, Regis University offers two online master’s degree programs involved with information technology: information assurance and information technology management.
While both of its programs are more expensive than any other entry up until this point in the list, Regis University makes up for this by providing ample support to students who wish to be admitted. There are no standardized tests required for entry into the program, and they can be completed much quicker than others. For comparison, Regis University’s master’s degree programs take roughly eight weeks to complete, whereas the average time for other universities is a year and a half.
Students who are eager to complete their post-graduate work as quickly as possible should look into Regis University and its range of flexible online programs.
Valdosta State University
Like the other entries at this point in the list, Valdosta State University does not have a particularly great return on investment. Also, it doesn’t have a high graduation completion rate either. In fact, Valdosta State University’s graduation rate is less than East Carolina University’s. With all of that in mind, Valdosta State University still has the edge due to the sheer number of features that are incorporated into its online master’s degree program.
As a program designed for business education and information technology, Valdosta State University offers its online students support in the form of online chatrooms, mobile applications, and online coursework management systems. Students who are comfortable working completely from home and have a solid work ethic should consider Valdosta State University.
East Carolina University
East Carolina University’s online master’s degree program in information technologies allows students to attend classes both digitally and on campus. While flexibility is one of our primary metrics for determining the value of a college’s degree program, it should be noted that the graduation rate for East Carolina University is considerably lower than some of the other entries on this list.
Still, East Carolina University is a solid choice for students who might need extra help and aren’t as comfortable speaking with a professor over email as in person. It should also be noted that East Carolina University does have a standardized test as one of the components of admission into its online program.
Trident University International
Trident University International is based in Cypress, CA, and is distinguished among the entries on this list for having a particular focus on helping students worldwide earn their online master’s degree. Trident University’s information technology management program is designed to be wholly completed online and teaches students how to properly manage IT systems and develop emerging technologies.
In addition to its base support for policy implementation, Trident University also allows students to choose from several focuses to complement their information technology management platform. These specific concentrations are Information Security/ Assurance and Digital Forensics, IT Project Management, and IT Systems Analysis and Design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Like other careers in the tech industry, a master’s in information technology salary and job growth trend higher than the average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 377,500 openings for computer and IT jobs each year, on average, through 2032.This makes a graduate degree in IT a good choice.
A Master’s in Information Technology (MIT) equips students with advanced skills in managing, implementing, and optimizing IT systems. Graduates are prepared for roles such as IT managers, system analysts, and consultants. Graduates also receive leadership skills that make them assets to any company.
Here is an alphabetized list of potential jobs you can pursue with a Master’s in Information Technology:
• Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Database Administrator
• IT Consultant
• IT Director
• IT Manager
• Network Architect
• Project Manager
• Security Analyst
• Software Development Manager
• Solutions Architect
• Systems Analyst
• Systems Integration Engineer
• Technology Risk Manager
• UX/UI Designer
It takes two years, on average, to complete an online master’s in information technology. Most programs consist of 30 to 36 credits, including coursework and capstone projects. Full-time students can complete the degree in about two years, while part-time students take longer.
It depends on the job, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average pay for computer and IT occupations is $100,530/year. This means you can make six figures with a graduate degree in IT!
Yes, getting a master’s in IT online is a good option for many students. Reputable universities offer accredited online programs, providing flexibility for working students. Employers care if the degree is accredited, so be sure to find an online program that meets accrediting standards.
A master’s in IT isn’t easy, but its difficulty is subjective. Some students find the complex technical concepts and project management courses hard. Others have trouble carving out time to devote to their classes. But if you’re dedicated to the discipline and have a strong foundation in IT, you should succeed in a graduate IT program.
Yes. Many IT jobs are in demand, which means qualifying students with a master’s degree can find work after graduation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 16% growth in jobs for web developers and 8% growth for database administrators and architects, for example.