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Earning an information technology (IT) degree can lead to high-paying jobs in innovative fields. As the world increasingly relies on computerized systems, the need for qualified IT professionals also rises. An online bachelor's degree in information technology meets the minimum education requirement for most entry-level IT jobs.

Some of the best online IT schools prepare candidates to pursue in-demand careers in computer programming, database administration, or cybersecurity, all of which offer earning potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 13% increase in computer and IT jobs nationwide from 2020 to 2030. These professionals earned a median annual wage of $97,430 as of May 2021.

The following sections explore the qualities of the nation's best online IT degrees, including admission requirements and popular courses.

What Is a Bachelor's in Information Technology?

An online bachelor's degree in information technology prepares students to pursue high-paying jobs in the fast-growing computer and IT field. IT attracts technology enthusiasts with strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

The BLS projects an additional 667,600 new jobs in the computer and IT field between 2020 and 2030.

Potential careers for IT graduates include computer network architect, computer programmer, computer systems analyst, and information security analyst. The BLS projects an additional 667,600 new jobs in the computer and IT field between 2020 and 2030. The best-paying and most in-demand IT jobs typically require at least a bachelor's degree.

Almost every industry relies on technology and needs skilled tech workers. IT degree-holders work for software and hardware companies, technology consulting services, financial organizations, and retailers. Other potential employers include telecommunication companies, healthcare organizations, and government agencies .

Why Get an IT Degree?

Pursuing an online bachelor's degree in information technology offers a number of benefits to students:

• Adaptable Tech Skills: An online IT degree can lead to a variety of jobs in business, technology, and management. Graduates of a bachelor's IT program can apply the skills they learn in computer programming, administration, and research to jobs in many industries.
• High Earning Potential: Most IT careers requiring at least a bachelor's degree offer high earning potential. Many tech professionals earn salaries more than double the national median salary of $58,260 in 2021 . For example, computer network architects earned an annual median wage of $120,520 in 2021 .
• Job Security: Information security analyst jobs are projected to grow 33% from 2020 to 2030 , much faster than the average for all occupations. Students can pursue lucrative job opportunities in various industries with an IT degree.

What to Expect From an Information Technology Degree Program

Information technology majors develop foundational IT knowledge and gain communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills. An IT program requires classes like web development, data management, the business of IT, and network security. Many information technology degrees include a practicum or capstone.

Some programs offer concentrations or additional certificates in IT management , information security and assurance, and advanced cybersecurity.

It usually takes 2-4 years or less to earn an IT degree online. On-campus and online IT bachelor's degrees both require about 120 credits. Online programs may offer more flexibility and accelerated options.

The cost for an online bachelor's degree in information technology varies depending on the type of school (public or private) and residency status (in-state or out-of-state). Students who pay in-state tuition at a public university typically pay less than learners at private schools.

Admission Requirements for IT Degree Programs

Admission requirements for an online bachelor's degree in information technology programs vary by school. Typical prerequisites include a high school diploma or GED certificate, SAT or ACT scores, and letters of recommendation.

Most IT degree online programs do not require previous IT experience. Students with associate degrees, certificates in information technology or computer science, or job experience may complete a bachelor's degree more quickly.

Many universities use the Common App , which lets undergraduates apply to many schools at one time by submitting a general application. Some programs require supplemental materials like an application essay or resume. Students may need to complete an interview during the application process.

IT Degree and Concentration Options

IT degrees may have different names, concentrations, and curricular focuses. Not all institutions offer all IT degrees. Below, we explain the differences between degree types.

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in IT: A BS in IT degree provides a foundation in general information technology with an emphasis on math and science. Learners focus on technical IT skills and often choose a concentration in an IT subdiscipline.
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in IT: Less common than a BS in IT, a BA in information technology covers the fundamentals of IT but incorporates more arts and humanities classes. Students build soft skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in IT: A BBA in IT focuses mostly on general business and management skills with an emphasis on information technology. Graduates can pursue careers in business or IT.

Popular Information Technology Degree Courses

The best online schools for IT offer a variety of core, specialty, and elective courses. Programs typically require foundational coursework and conclude the IT degree with a capstone project.

Bachelor's in IT degrees provide broad, introductory skills in network security, computer programming, data management, IT management, and web development. Some information technology degree programs include optional coursework relevant to common industry certifications such as Java programming or CompTIA.

• Network and Security: Network and security coursework introduces students pursuing their IT degree online to different computer networks, including LANs, WANs, and VPNs. Learners explore the protocols of virtual communication over a computer network. Security topics include mitigation techniques, protecting network vulnerabilities, and basic security policies and procedures.
• Management: This IT degree course outlines the different data types, including structured, unstructured, and quasi-structured data. It also covers basic data management and security. Students learn common terminology and commands for structured query language, data definition language, and data manipulation language. Learners also practice SELECT queries, and data updates and deletions.
• Business of IT: This class emphasizes the core principles and practices of IT management. Coursework covers IT infrastructure, development, and operations management. With a focus on project management, information technology degree students explore resource allocation, risk assessment, and performance measurement skills.
• Web Development: Coursework introduces students to foundational web languages like HTML5, Javascript, and cascading style sheets. This course expands on basic coding skills to develop web documents for desktop and mobile devices. Topics include code validation and testing, user interface design, and SEO optimization.
• Capstone: Most IT degree online programs conclude with a capstone course, usually a project or written report. Students propose, implement, and report on a technical project in their area of IT expertise.

How Much Will a Bachelor's in IT Degree Cost?

Many factors affect the cost of earning a bachelor's in IT degree. Learners can expect tuition to fluctuate according to whether a school is public or private. Institutions may also charge different rates for in-state and out-of-state students. However, some schools may charge reduced or in-state tuition for online programs.

Most college students require financial aid to complete an information technology degree, including scholarships, grants, and loans. IT degree students typically complete the FAFSA to determine their eligibility for federal and other aid. Prospective learners should exhaust scholarship and grant opportunities first, then pursue loans, which do require repayment.

Learn more about IT certificate programs

Consider a master's in IT degree

Jobs for Bachelor's in Information Technology Degree Holders

Earning an online bachelor's degree in information technology can help graduates qualify for diverse computer and IT occupations . The type of career you can pursue and the earning potential depends on factors like previous experience and the focus of your bachelor's degree.

Payscale reported that graduates with a BS in information technology made an average annual salary of $77,000 as of August 2022. Earnings vary significantly by occupation.

Chief information security officers earned an average annual salary of $170,975 as of August 2022, while incident managers made $90,624 and penetration testers earned $87,925. IT security administrators earned an average annual salary of $68,307 as of August 2022, and security analysts made $70,426.

Learn more about potential information technology degree careers below.

Top Jobs for IT Degree Graduates

• Chief Information Security Officer
• Incident Responder
• Penetration Tester
• Security Administrator
• Security Analyst

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Choosing the Best Online IT School for You

Students should only consider institutionally accredited online information technology degrees. In addition, some of the best online IT schools may hold programmatic accreditation from an agency such as ABET .

The following is a list of critical considerations for prospective online IT degree students.

• Concentrations/Specializations: Since IT degrees prepare graduates for diverse careers, students may select a school that offers their desired specialization.
• Required Admission Materials: Many information technology degree programs require applicants to hold an associate degree and at least two years of work experience for admission. Others may require standardized test scores.
• Staff Credentials/Diversity: IT programs often hire well-known professors and field experts to attract students. Research which programs have faculty who specialize in areas relevant to your career aspirations.
• Student-to-Teacher Ratio: Schools with a lower student-to-teacher ratio can offer more individualized attention from faculty members.
• Cost/Financial Aid: Explore which schools offer reduced or in-state tuition for online learners to maximize the value of your degree.
• University Resources/Career Services: The best online IT schools support their students with campus resources like career services. Some IT programs offer industry certificate programs to boost their students' credentials.

Why You Should Get Your IT Degree Online

Distance education grows more prevalent each year. Earning an IT degree online offers convenience, affordability, and flexibility. Online bachelor's degrees in information technology programs give students the freedom to complete coursework wherever and whenever they want.

An IT degree may be more suited to the online learning experience than other disciplines. Students work primarily on a computer, troubleshoot tech problems, and communicate online — all skills required for success in most IT jobs.

Factors to consider when deciding between an in-person or online degree include personal learning style, time management skills, opportunities for interaction and networking, and cost.

Should you attend a top-rated bootcamp instead?

The Best Online IT Schools

Choosing where to earn an online information technology degree can be overwhelming. To make it easier for prospective students, we ranked the best IT online schools. We considered factors like academic quality, reputation, affordability, and online flexibility.

We also assessed each school's retention rate, the number of students receiving financial aid, return on investment, and percentage of online students enrolled. All the colleges on our list have institutional accreditation.

View our ranking methodology

1. Santa Fe College

Gainesville-based Santa Fe College is a public institution. The school's student population includes 5,704 online learners, and it reports a graduation rate of 59%.

The flexible online information systems technology BAS is convenient for working professionals. Most bachelor's students without transfer credits graduate in about four years.

Santa Fe College Numbers:

• Per-Credit Fee : NA
• Undergraduate Tuition : $1,872/year in-state, $7,418/year out-of-state
• Average Aid Awarded Per Student : $2,357
• Average Price With Financial Aid : $11,764
• Available Online Bachelor's Degrees : 9
• Ratio of Students to Faculty Members : 22-to-1
• Transfer Credits Toward Degree : No

Santa Fe College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an independent accrediting agency.

2. Purdue University Global-Indianapolis

Purdue University Global-Indianapolis is a public school in West Lafayette, Indiana. The institution's student population includes 37,913 online learners, and it reports a graduation rate of 27%.

The school's online bachelor of science in information technology offers a flexible course format that is ideal for busy students. Most students complete the bachelor's program in about four years. Those with transfer credits complete the degree faster.

Purdue University Global-Indianapolis Numbers:

• Average Fee Per Credit : $402
• Undergrad Tuition : $7,920/year in-state, $13,356/year out-of-state
• Aid Awarded Per Student : NA
• Number of Available Online Bachelor's Programs : 32
• Ratio of Students to Faculty : 24-to-1
• Transfer Credits Toward Degree : Yes

Purdue University Global-Indianapolis has received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, an independent accrediting agency.

3. Liberty University

A private institution, Liberty University is one of the best online schools in the country. Students can earn a bachelor's degree from the school on the Lynchburg campus or online. The institution enrolls a total of 78,511 online students. Prospective learners can expect a 51% admission rate and a 47% graduation rate.

Working professionals can benefit from the bachelor of science in information technology's flexible online format. Undergraduates complete the program in around four years, or less for those with transfer credits.

Liberty University Facts:

• Average Per-Credit Price : $750
• Tuition for Undergraduates : In-State $15,417, Out-of-State $15,417
• Aid Amount Per Student : Unavailable
• Average Annual Price : Not Known
• Distance Bachelor's Programs : 30
• Student-to-Faculty Ratio : 17-to-1
• Allows Transfer Credits : No

The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

4. Missouri Baptist University

Missouri Baptist University is a private institution based in Saint Louis, Missouri. Online and on-campus students can earn a bachelor's degree from the school. The school enrolls a total of 1,826 distance students. Prospective learners can expect a 61% admission rate and a 45% graduation rate.

Students in the online bachelor of science in information technologies gain skills that apply to a variety of careers in the field. Undergraduate students with transfer credits may complete the program in less than four years. Those without transfer credits often take four years to complete the program.

Missouri Baptist University Facts:

• Per-Credit Price : NA
• Undergraduate Tuition Rate : in-state $26,860, out-of-state $26,860
• Average Net Price : Unavailable
• Number of Online Bachelor's Degrees : 11
• Ratio of Students to Faculty : 19-to-1
• Transfer Credits Toward Degree : No

Missouri Baptist University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an independent accrediting agency.

5. Granite State College

Granite State College is a public school in Concord, New Hampshire. The school enrolls a total of 1,848 distance students and accepts students at a 19% admission rate.

The institution's information technology BS offers a flexible course format that is ideal for busy students. Learners with transfer credits may need less than four years to complete the program.

Granite State College At a Glance:

• Tuition Per Credit : Unavailable
• Tuition Rates for Undergraduate Students : In-State $7,536, Out-of-State $8,760
• Amount of Aid Awarded Per Learner : $6,742
• Average Cost With Aid : $11,392
• Total Number of Online Bachelor's Programs : 36
• Student-to-Faculty Ratio : 17-to-1
• Awards Transfer Credits : No

Granite State College is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, an independent accrediting agency.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online IT Degrees

Can I get an IT degree online?

Yes! Many schools offer partially or fully online information technology degrees. Earning an IT degree online can offer convenience, flexibility, and affordability compared to a traditional on-campus program.

How long does it take to get an online bachelor's degree in information technology?

Most bachelor's degrees in IT take two to four years of study to complete, depending on whether you have any transfer credits or enroll full or part time. Students may also shorten completion times by transferring credits for prior academic, work, or military experience.

What is the best online IT school?

The best online IT schools are accredited, affordable, and have an excellent academic reputation. You should also consider your personal learning style and career goals when choosing a school.

What kinds of jobs can you get with a degree in information technology?

The IT sector offers jobs in fields like computer programming, information research and security, and database administration. Computer network architects and information security analysts are among the highest earners.