[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Information technology (IT) degrees have strong relevance in many industries, given how important computer systems have become to modern businesses. If you have a strong aptitude for technology, an IT degree can help you enter multiple tech-related career paths — many of which pay high salaries and have excellent growth potential.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For example, you can become a computer network architect, programmer, systems analyst, software developer, or web developer. Best of all, you can earn your IT degree entirely online. This guide covers the top online IT college degree programs, average tuition costs, and expected salaries.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]10 Best Online IT Degree Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How We Chose These Schools”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At TheBestSchools, we use trusted data from the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate schools without bias. Our ranking methodology helps prospective students from various backgrounds find the best fit. We consider key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability, so every type of student can find the best fit for them.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This list has been updated for 2025. Learn more about how our formula works on [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/ranking-methodology/”]our ranking methodology page[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Get an IT Degree Online?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An online IT program equips you with the same skills and competencies as a traditional in-person program. You’ll learn how to apply your technical knowledge of computing and mathematics to design business solutions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some benefits of pursuing an IT degree online include:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]More Flexibility: Online degree programs offer greater flexibility, allowing you to study from wherever you choose and often providing part-time and full-time options to continue working and maintaining other obligations.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Practical Skills: You’ll develop a solid foundation in programming, network architecture, and information security, setting you up for entry-level IT jobs or [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-information-technology/”]graduate studies[/hen-ui-link], just like a traditional, on-campus IT program.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Self-Paced Programs: Online programs can be [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-programs-courses/”]synchronous or asynchronous[/hen-ui-link], with set class times or more flexible scheduling. You can choose a program with independent study options to learn and advance at your own pace.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Cost Savings: Many [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/affordable/”]online programs offer lower tuition[/hen-ui-link] rates than their on-campus counterparts, particularly public universities. You can also save on commuting, housing, and campus-related fees as an online student.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base uppercase”]Reality Check: Are Online IT Degrees Respected?[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes, online IT degrees are respected by employers — as long as they come from accredited schools. Generally, your school’s reputation matters more than the program format, and your diploma will not indicate that you earned your degree online. In 2023, NCES reported that [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/TrendGenerator/app/build-table/2/42?rid=6&cid=85″ target=”_blank”]around 53% of students[/hen-ui-link] were enrolled in distance education courses at postsecondary institutions.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What to Expect From an Online IT Degree Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An online IT degree program typically requires students to earn 120 credits. Full-time students usually graduate in four years. Part-time study takes longer but may fit better with work or personal schedules.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online IT degree programs typically follow the same curriculum as on-campus programs and are often taught by the same professors. However, your learning style can influence the delivery of your education.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you enjoy learning independently, an asynchronous online program can offer you the most flexibility. However, if you prefer more support, a synchronous program with live instruction and regular tutoring can balance the flexibility of online learning with the intensive environment of an on-campus degree program.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At the bachelor’s level, courses cover topics like cross-platform technology, computing as a service, IT operations, and scripting. Many IT programs allow you to choose a specialization, such as web development or digital communications.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”shadow” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”center”]IT Concentrations and Focus Areas[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/rankings/bachelors/best-online-bachelors-business-management/”]Business management[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Cybersecurity[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/rankings/bachelors/best-online-bachelors-data-science/”]Data analytics[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Digital forensics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Game development[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health informatics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Project management[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Software development[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Supply chain management[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]IT management[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Can You Do With an IT Degree?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With a bachelor’s degree in IT, you can find many high-paying, in-demand jobs. Possible career paths include working as a [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/career-guide/web-developer/”]web developer[/hen-ui-link], network administrator, cybersecurity specialist, and data analyst.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]IT skills are highly sought after in virtually every industry — from healthcare and technology to manufacturing — as businesses increasingly depend on computer systems. This drives the strong demand for technology-related jobs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]IT Careers and Job Outlook[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]IT Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Annual Wage (May 2024)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Job Outlook (2023-2033)[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Computer Network Architect[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”IT Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm” target=”_blank”]$130,390[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Wage (May 2024)”]13%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Computer Programmer[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”IT Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm” target=”_blank”]$98,670[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Wage (May 2024)”]-10%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Computer Systems Analysts[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”IT Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm” target=”_blank”]$103,790[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Wage (May 2024)”]11%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Database Administrator[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”IT Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/database-administrators.htm” target=”_blank”]$123,100[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Wage (May 2024)”]9%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Information Security Analysts[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”IT Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm” target=”_blank”]$124,910[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Wage (May 2024)”]33%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Network Administrator[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”IT Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm” target=”_blank”]$96,800[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Wage (May 2024)”]-3%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Software Developers[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”IT Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm” target=”_blank”]$131,450[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Wage (May 2024)”]17%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Web Developer[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”IT Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s Degree”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm” target=”_blank”]$95,380[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Wage (May 2024)”]8%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]IT Degree Salary[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The job market is strong for many IT-related careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for all computer occupations and IT jobs was nearly $117,000 as of May 2024. The BLS also projects these occupations to grow much faster than average from 2023-2033.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This variety of job opportunities, combined with the high demand for skilled IT professionals, makes IT an attractive field if you’re looking for a rewarding and challenging career.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Average Salaries for Computer Occupations and IT Majors[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Mean Annual Wage for Computer and IT Occupations[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Mean Starting Salary for Computer and Information Sciences Majors (Includes IT)[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]$116,770 (2024)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Mean Annual Wage for Computer and IT Occupations”]$85,620 (2023)[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Online IT Degrees Cost?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While program costs vary significantly among schools, earning an IT degree online costs less, on average, than earning a traditional IT degree in person. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the median annual cost of tuition and fees for online computer and information science (CIS) degrees was $7,806 in 2020, while an in-person degree cost $12,840.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As an online student, you can also save money on housing and transportation fees; however, you may have online-specific fees, such as technology fees.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-grid columns-lg=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Online IT Degree Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What jobs can I get with an IT degree?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Among other jobs you can get with an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/information-technology/”]IT degree[/hen-ui-link], you can become an IT technician, network administrator or engineer, or software developer or engineer. By pursuing a specialization, you could also qualify for roles in computer forensics, cybersecurity, and information security.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As you accumulate experience, you can move into managerial positions in IT project management or other specialized areas. Graduate degrees can help open doors to higher-level careers.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How do I start a career in information technology​?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As a first step, get an IT degree. Employers don’t always firmly require them, and it’s possible to enter the field without one, but a bachelor’s degree serves as a common requirement for many entry-level jobs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some specialized roles, like CIS managers and computer and information research scientists, require a [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-information-technology/”]master’s degree[/hen-ui-link]. For access to these careers, consider upgrading your degree, especially if you can complement it with professional certifications. If you’re interested in becoming a computer and information research scientist specifically, consider earning a [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-computer-science/non-cs-majors/”]master’s in computer science[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How much can I make with an IT degree?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It depends on your skill set, professional accomplishments, experience, and location. However, looking at the top 10% of earners in multiple high-paying IT careers can give you context.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to BLS data from May 2024, top-earning IT specialists enjoy salaries in the range of $200,000 per year or more. This applies to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm” target=”_blank”]computer network architects[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm” target=”_blank”]software developers[/hen-ui-link], and [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-and-information-research-scientists.htm” target=”_blank”]computer and information research scientists[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is an IT degree worth it?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For many, an IT degree is worth the time commitment and expense. Generally speaking, an IT degree offers a high return on investment. According to the BLS, jobs in computer and information technology paid a median annual salary of $104,420 as of May 2023.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Ultimately, whether this degree is worth it depends on your professional interests and career goals. If you have a knack for technology and enjoy working with computers, an IT degree may be a great fit for you.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is information technology hard?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes, majoring in information technology can be challenging. But it’s not as math-heavy as other majors, such as engineering. If you enjoy working with computers, possess technical skills, and have a knack for problem-solving, you should be able to succeed in an IT program.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Discover More College Resources” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,21979,327″][/hen-ui-article-row]