Whether you want to be a systems administrator or an ethical hacker, an online information technology degree is a great way to get into the business. And with the U.S. Bureau of Labor predicting a whopping 31% increase in IT jobs before 2029, now is the perfect time to get started!
That’s why Computer Science Degree Hub went on the search for the 10 best bachelor’s IT degrees that can be completed entirely online.
Ranking Methodology
To come up with our ranking of the best online IT degrees, we began by compiling a list of any and every accredited college and university offering just such a degree. We then used the following points-based system to narrow down our list to the just the top 10.
Annual Out-of-State Tuition:
$5,000 or Less — 5 points
$5,001 to $10,000 — 4 points
$10,001 to $20,000 — 3 points
$20,001 to $30,000 — 2 points
$30,001 to $40,000 — 1 point
Annual Percentage of 20-Year Net Return on Investment (ROI):
9%+ — 5 points
7-8% — 4 points
5-6% — 3 points
3-4% — 2 points
1-2% — 1 point
Graduation Rate:
Above 90% — 5 points
Above 80% — 4 points
Above 70% — 3 points
Above 60% — 2 points
Above 50% — 1 point
Student-to-Faculty Ratio:
5:1 and more — 4 points
10:1 and more — 3 points
15:1 and more — 2 points
20:1 and more — 1 point
Note: In the event of a tie, the bachelor’s degree program with the lower annual tuition rate has been given the higher ranking. All tuition numbers and other statistics are accurate as of March 2021.
#10. Hallmark University
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
School Profile
San Antonio, Texas
Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $38,320
Total Points: 3
Hallmark University offers an online B.S. in Information Technology. The degree is especially appealing to those who seek a flexible program. Multiple start dates throughout the year make it simple to get started. It’s also possible to graduate in as few as 28 months. Additionally, students may choose to pursue industry-relevant certificates to complement their bachelor’s degree in information technology.
#9. Campbell University
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Security
School Profile
Buies Creek, North Carolina
Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $36,740
Total Points: 7
Campbell University offers a B.S. in Information Technology Security which can be completed entirely online, from anywhere in the world. To earn this degree, students must complete 124 credit hours. Coursework includes Security & Countermeasures and Internet Applications, to name but two. A senior project is also required before graduation. Campbell also offers a B.S. in Information Technology Security Management.
#8. California Baptist University
Online Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Technology
School Profile
Riverside, California
Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $36,340
Total Points: 8
California Baptist University offers an online B.S. in Computer Information Technology. To earn this degree, students must complete 48 credits from the major, in addition to general education coursework. Potential classes include Enterprise Architecture and Business Networking, among others. Because California Baptist University is a religious school, two biblical courses — Overview of the Bible and Foundations of Christian Thought — are also required before graduation.
#7. DePaul University
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
School Profile
Chicago, Illinois
Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $41,202
Total Points: 9
DePaul University offers a B.S. in Information Technology which can be completed entirely online. To earn this degree, students must complete 192 credits, or about 48 individual classes. Required coursework includes Interactive Web Scripting and Web Development, to name but two. Students may also choose between two optional concentrations: Web Development or Media Engineering. Impressively, about 93% of DePaul IT grads were employed within six months of graduation.
#6. Florida International University
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
School Profile
Miami, Florida
Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $18,963
Total Points: 9
Florida International University offers an online B.S. in Information Technology. The degree requires 120 credits to graduate, including general education. Coursework includes Computer Operating Systems and Human Computer Interaction, to name but two. Students may customize their degree by choosing two of four concentration options. These options include Application Development and Network Administration.
#5. Colorado State University, Global Campus
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
School Profile
Aurora, Colorado
Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $8,400
Total Points: 9
Colorado State University offers an online B.S. in Information Technology via its highly respected Global Campus. To earn this degree, students must complete 120 credit units, including general education courses. Required coursework includes Basic Programming and Database Management, to name but two. Students may then customize their degree by choosing one of 17 concentration options.
#4. Loyola University Chicago
Online Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology
School Profile
Chicago, Illinois
Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $46,060
Total Points: 10
Loyola University Chicago offers a B.A. in Information Technology as part of its online degree programs. The degree requires a series of general education courses, plus an additional 13 IT-related classes. These include Introduction to Database Systems and Project Management, to name but two. Uniquely, students are able to complete their required courses in eight-week sessions. This allows them to complete their degree much faster than an on-campus student. Five start dates throughout the year add to the flexibility of Loyola’s online IT bachelor’s degree.
#3. George Mason University
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
School Profile
Fairfax, Virginia
Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $37,410
Total Points: 10
George Mason University offers an online B.S. in Information Technology. The degree consists of 120 total credits. This includes general education courses and a sequence of seven capstone courses. Over the course of the online bachelor’s degree, students take classes such as Human Computer Interaction and IT in the Global Economy. A two-part senior design project is also part of the curriculum.
#2. Misericordia University
Online Bachelor of Science Information Technology
School Profile
Dallas, Pennsylvania
Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $35,940
Total Points: 10
Misericordia University offers a B.S. in Information Technology which can be completed entirely online. The degree requires 121 credits for graduation. This includes general education, major coursework, and myriad electives. Students get started on IT coursework from their very first semester. Potential classes include Computer Programming and Introduction to IT Security, to name but two.
#1. Central Washington University
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Administrative Management
School Profile
Ellensburg, Washington
Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $24,520
Total Points: 10
Central Washington University offers an online B.S. in Information Technology and Administrative Management. This degree is best suited for students who have already completed either an Associate’s degree or another bachelor’s degree. Sixty-one credits are required to complete this online IT degree. Students may also customize their degree by choosing one of five concentration options. A Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology is also offered online.
What is Information Technology?
Information technology is a subfield under the umbrella of information systems. IT accounts for all the technological aspects of information systems. IT is computers. Specifically, it is the use of computers to store, transmit, manipulate, and study data. Information technology may typically be used to refer to computers but it also encompasses television and telephone technology. Basically anything that uses technology to transmit or store information is under the umbrella of IT. Because that is quite a big umbrella, there is a lot of opportunity for information technology professionals.
What is the Role of Information Technology Professionals?
Your online bachelor’s in information technology will qualify you to work a number of jobs including systems administrator, information technology manager, network engineer, and network administrator right out of the gate and can even lead to jobs like information technology director down the line. Essentially IT professionals are responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining network and information infrastructure for businesses and organizations. In the modern era, most medium to large-sized companies are in need of at least one IT professional to make sure their network runs smoothly. That’s what you’ll be doing once you graduate from your online IT program.
How to Fund Your IT Degree Online
Paying for your online bachelor’s degree is similar to paying for a traditional degree. Federal grants and student loans which you can obtain through a FAFSA application are the absolute best resource for anybody who needs to pay for college. FAFSA should always be where you turn first for financial aid.
Many community colleges have great IT programs. Attending community college first is a great way to save money. Most community colleges are so cheap that their tuition is covered by just one or two federal grants, meaning attending community college can reduce your student debt by significant margins.
As long as you are attending a regionally accredited university online you should be eligible for all the same grants and subsidized loans as traditional students. Again, FAFSA should be your first stop for financial aid. Remember that financial aid can help you pay for supplies and living expenses even if you don’t live in dorms on campus. Don’t neglect state-level financial aid, especially if you are going to a school in your state. Scholarships and grants from your state are a valuable resource. If you complete community college with a good GPA, make sure you investigate merit-based scholarships that might also be available. Your school’s financial aid office should have resources and counselors to help you get the best deal, so don’t be afraid to pay them a visit or give them a call.
Job Statistics and Information
Most IT professionals work as a network and computer systems administrator at some point in their career, which is great news for you because the median pay for somebody in that position is $79,700 per year. Computer and information systems managers have a median salary of $135,000/year, and computer network architects make around $101,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Computer systems analysts, database administrators, and information security analysts all have median salaries between $80,000 and $90,000 per year, and all of these fields have job growth that is average or faster than average.
Related Resources:
- Top 10 Cheapest Online Master’s in Information Technology Degrees
- Top 10 Cheapest Online Associate’s in Information Technology Degrees
- Top 10 Cheapest Online Master’s in Information Technology Degrees
- Top 5 Cheapest Software Development Degrees Online
- Top 50 Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs
