Best Online Master’s in Information Technology

By Dr. Winston Ewert and Dr. James Barham

Published: Jul 6, 2021
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

Find top-ranked online master’s in information technology for students wanting to qualify for jobs as information security managers, chief information officers, and information technology directors.

Top 10 Online Information Technology Master's Degrees

University of Cincinnati
Florida State University
University of Texas at Dallas
Florida Atlantic University
DePaul University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Lawrence Technological University
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Northern Arizona University
Towson University

Florida State University
University of Cincinnati
Loyola University Chicago
DePaul University
Florida Atlantic University
University of Texas at Dallas
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
California State University, Fullerton
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of Alabama in Huntsville

Middle Georgia State University 100%
Southern New Hampshire University 96%
Missouri State University 93%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 92%
University of Central Arkansas 91%
Montclair State University 91%
Maryville University 88%
University of Cincinnati 86%
University of Massachusetts Lowell 86%
University of Texas at Dallas 85%

University of Texas at Dallas 27 to 1
California State University, Fullerton 24 to 1
Florida Atlantic University 22 to 1
Southern New Hampshire University 22 to 1
University of West Florida 22 to 1
Northern Arizona University 20 to 1
Missouri State University 19 to 1
University of Cincinnati 18 to 1
Middle Georgia State University 18 to 1
DePaul University 17 to 1

Worcester Polytechnic Institute $57,096
Loyola University Chicago $49,498
DePaul University $42,840
Regis University $42,220
Lawrence Technological University $39,570
Nova Southeastern University $36,300
Lake Erie College $35,024
Maryville University $27,166
University of Massachusetts Lowell $15,462
Southern New Hampshire University $15,380

Worcester Polytechnic Institute $28,980
Nova Southeastern University $22,062
DePaul University $21,719
Golden Gate University $19,620
Loyola University Chicago $19,440
Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
Lawrence Technological University $18,774
University of Texas at Dallas $15,088
University of Massachusetts Lowell $14,956
Maryville University $14,346

University of Central Arkansas
Lake Erie College
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Maryville University
Missouri State University
Golden Gate University
Middle Georgia State University
University of West Florida
Nova Southeastern University
Southern New Hampshire University

Middle Georgia State University
Lake Erie College
Maryville University
Lawrence Technological University
University of Central Arkansas
University of West Florida
Regis University
Southern New Hampshire University
Missouri State University
Golden Gate University

Florida State University 25%
University of West Florida 48%
Lake Erie College 54%
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 57%
California State University, Fullerton 67%
DePaul University 70%
Regis University 76%
Nova Southeastern University 76%
University of Alabama in Huntsville 78%
Towson University 79%

Regis University 9 to 1
Lake Erie College 11 to 1
Lawrence Technological University 11 to 1
Loyola University Chicago 13 to 1
Golden Gate University 13 to 1
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 13 to 1
Maryville University 13 to 1
University of Central Arkansas 14 to 1
Towson University 15 to 1
DePaul University 17 to 1

Florida Atlantic University $2,522
Middle Georgia State University $3,144
University of West Florida $3,735
University of North Carolina at Greensboro $4,422
Florida State University $4,640
California State University, Fullerton $5,742
University of Central Arkansas $6,950
Towson University $7,238
Missouri State University $7,476
University of Alabama in Huntsville $10,120

Middle Georgia State University $3,582
University of Central Arkansas $5,133
University of North Carolina at Greensboro $5,219
Florida Atlantic University $5,467
Missouri State University $5,994
University of West Florida $7,088
California State University, Fullerton $7,176
Towson University $8,676
Florida State University $9,684
University of Alabama in Huntsville $10,632

Key Takeaways

Due to the rising demand for information systems management specialists, students seeking to improve their credentials and gain exciting job prospects in the future are considering an information technology master’s degree.
Information technology experts with master’s level education and expertise contribute to developing digital infrastructure and languages to help organizations advance.
With the proliferation of online programs, you can earn an online master’s degree in information technology at a top-ranked college or university.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

IDC’s Worldwide Semi-annual Services Tracker indicates that the IT and business services market will see a growth of 8.3% between 2021 and 2026, reaching a valuation of $20.5 billion by 2026.

Several factors have contributed to such growth, but businesses’ dependence on technology is generally never halting. If you have a passion for information technology, plan on shifting careers, or growing your expertise in this field, an online master’s in information technology is deemed a valuable weapon in the competitive industry.

Simply put, the growing and evolving tech sector can be explored deeper with an online master’s degree in information technology.

As tech now reaches into every industry, this degree option has great potential. You can sharpen your skills, explore IT management theories, and learn new tech concepts with an advanced degree in IT.

Additionally, an online master’s in information technology is important if you’d like to apply your skills in a leadership role. Degrees like this are often prerequisites for IT directorships.

Perhaps you’re already part of a tech company and plan to get promoted; earning a higher education degree will set you apart from other candidates. An online information technology master’s degree can help you gain general knowledge and expertise.

Most In-Demand Tech Jobs

Career decisions should be based on the availability of specific jobs— perhaps now more than ever. COVID-19, waves of layoffs, and the projected recession have impacted the job market, so knowing which jobs are still in demand is crucial.

The good news is that an online master’s degree in information technology comes with various employment opportunities. This could include positions at small software startups, client firms, and large tech companies.

However, it’s important to note that there can be significant differences in salaries across industries and different geographical locations.

Here are some IT-related job opportunities and career pathways:

AI Specialist

Artificial intelligence specialists develop AI and machine learning technologies for computer programs and other machines to mimic how the human brain works. The duties of an AI specialist can vary but also include those of a business intelligence developer, an AI architect, a software development expert, and a machine learning engineer.

IT Manager

Managing an organization’s technology needs is the responsibility of IT managers. A typical job description involves working with upper management on technology matters, managing IT departments, ensuring updated software and hardware systems, making purchasing decisions, stabilizing vendor relationships, and performing general IT tasks.

Computer Systems Analyst

A computer systems analyst, who is expected to be proficient in data science, designs computer systems for a client organization. Professionals in this field study their client’s business models and determine the technologies best suited to their specific needs.

Computer systems are designed to meet the budget and requirements of the customer organization with appropriate hardware, software, and networks. Among other industries, such as banking, healthcare, and technology, computer systems analysts work for client service firms or in-house.

Software Developer

Engineers who develop software programs, applications, networks and operating systems are known as software developers. Most software developers write code, analyze user needs, plan technical features, document, and test their programs.

Software developers may work on front-end applications or the back-end, including program code, depending on the position.

Network Architect

Data communication networks are designed and constructed by computer network architects for organizations. A WAN, a LAN, and an intranet are examples of these types of networks.

Network architects are in charge of performing simple connections between offices and creating multi-customer cloud architectures. A computer network architect has a broad range of tasks.

Computer network architects are responsible for creating and presenting detailed networking plans to management and maintaining and upgrading network hardware and software.

Frequently Asked Questions About Information Technology Degrees

Pursuing a master’s degree in information technology can be a great way to qualify for leadership roles and update your technical skills.

Students typically complete this 30- to 45-credit degree in about two to three years and can take classes online or in person.

Many programs also allow students to choose a concentration, like cybersecurity or cloud computing, letting students tailor their learning goals to their professional needs. Although programs will vary, core courses typically cover advanced topics in business intelligence, software design, and network administration. Students will also build their leadership and management skills.

Upon graduation, individuals will qualify for jobs as information security managers, chief information officers, and information technology directors.

Learn more about what you can do with a master’s in computer science.

How do we determine the best online information technology master's degree programs?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Information Technology Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Information Technology

Degree Level: Master's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $11,934
Avg. Expenses*: $17,088
Avg. Starting Salary*: $94,589
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 3 years
Job Growth: 20.61%
Number of Jobs: 3,502,600
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Computer and Information Systems Managers	15.41%	$134,192
Computer and Information Research Scientists	22.74%	$126,122
Database Architects	10.00%	$120,910
Computer Network Architects	3.55%	$111,162
Software Developers	25.74%	$106,816
Information Security Analysts	31.56%	$102,130
Data Scientists	35.11%	$91,799
Database Administrators	7.04%	$90,551
Computer Systems Analysts	9.64%	$89,624
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	20.32%	$88,489

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%	Median	Top 10%
$62,495	$102,568	$151,873

Promising Job Markets

State	Cost of Living	Avg. Salary
#2 Washington	7% higher than average	$134,993
#3 Texas	10% higher than average	$112,782
#4 Virginia	5% higher than average	$117,865
#5 Georgia	13% higher than average	$104,265
#6 New York	5% higher than average	$124,662
#7 North Carolina	11% higher than average	$105,659
#8 Ohio	14% higher than average	$102,176
#9 Michigan	15% higher than average	$98,629
#10 Illinois	7% higher than average	$107,164
#11 Delaware	2% higher than average	$116,445
#12 Alabama	13% higher than average	$97,453
#13 Minnesota	4% higher than average	$107,421
#14 California	26% higher than average	$140,383
#15 Colorado	3% higher than average	$114,318
#16 Wisconsin	7% higher than average	$103,032
#17 Tennessee	14% higher than average	$94,189
#18 Arizona	5% higher than average	$104,197
#19 New Mexico	7% higher than average	$101,627
#20 Florida	6% higher than average	$102,583
#21 Missouri	16% higher than average	$91,426
#22 New Jersey	13% higher than average	$119,767
#23 Iowa	9% higher than average	$95,369
#24 Oregon	11% higher than average	$115,787
#25 South Carolina	8% higher than average	$96,030
#26 Pennsylvania	5% higher than average	$98,234
#27 Idaho	7% higher than average	$95,186
#28 Maryland	18% higher than average	$121,087
#29 Utah	4% higher than average	$98,351
#30 Mississippi	18% higher than average	$83,278
#31 Kentucky	14% higher than average	$86,404
#32 Massachusetts	24% higher than average	$124,328
#33 Kansas	9% higher than average	$91,226
#34 South Dakota	7% higher than average	$92,417
#35 West Virginia	11% higher than average	$87,090
#36 Indiana	11% higher than average	$86,509
#37 Rhode Island	20% higher than average	$115,793
#38 Oklahoma	13% higher than average	$83,889
#39 Nebraska	6% higher than average	$90,086
#40 Arkansas	16% higher than average	$80,915
#41 Nevada	5% higher than average	$99,330
#42 New Hampshire	13% higher than average	$106,739
#43 Wyoming	2% higher than average	$92,471
#44 Louisiana	9% higher than average	$82,559
#45 Connecticut	18% higher than average	$107,503
#46 Montana	3% higher than average	$81,681
#47 Maine	9% higher than average	$90,650
#48 North Dakota	average	$83,588
#49 District of Columbia	49% higher than average	$121,540
#50 Alaska	23% higher than average	$99,333
#51 Vermont	13% higher than average	$90,203
#52 Hawaii	40% higher than average	$104,436

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$134,192
Computer and Information Research Scientists	$126,122
Database Architects	$120,910
Computer Network Architects	$111,162
Software Developers	$106,816
Information Security Analysts	$102,130
Data Scientists	$91,799
Database Administrators	$90,551
Computer Systems Analysts	$89,624
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	$88,489

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Online Master’s in Information Technology

Top 10 Online Information Technology Master's Degrees

Key Takeaways

Featured Programs

Most In-Demand Tech Jobs

AI Specialist

IT Manager

Computer Systems Analyst

Software Developer

Network Architect

Frequently Asked Questions About Information Technology Degrees

Why get a master’s in information technology?

How long does it take to get a master’s in information technology?

Are there specific areas that can be studied?

What can you do with a master’s in information technology?

Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at University of Cincinnati

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Florida State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at University of Texas at Dallas

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Florida Atlantic University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at DePaul University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Lawrence Technological University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at University of Massachusetts Lowell

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Northern Arizona University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Towson University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at California State University, Fullerton

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Loyola University Chicago

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Montclair State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at University of Alabama in Huntsville

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Regis University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Southern New Hampshire University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Nova Southeastern University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at University of West Florida

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Middle Georgia State University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Golden Gate University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Missouri State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Maryville University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Lake Erie College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at University of Central Arkansas

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Students with Information Technology Degree

Information Technology

Degree Level: Master's

Career Salaries