Best Online Information Technology (IT) Degrees of 2024

Attending one of the best online IT schools won’t help you if there aren’t jobs after graduation. Luckily, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 377,500 information technology roles will open every year from 2022-2032.

Information technology degrees have staying power. The most recent National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data reported 11,715 undergraduate and 5,458 graduate-level degrees in information technology were awarded.

With this degree, you can pursue careers as computer network architects, computer programmers, computer systems analysts, software developers, and web developers, thanks to the technical knowhow it offers.

Continue reading to explore the best online IT schools, with comprehensive details on tuition, costs, job outcomes, and projected salaries for graduates.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

When you earn an IT degree online, you learn how to apply technical knowledge of computing and mathematics to design business solutions. The degree’s core subjects provide a bachelor’s-level knowledge of programming, networks, database design, and information security.

This versatile degree offers additional career development opportunities. Through group assignments, you’ll build problem-solving and teamwork skills. You’ll also learn how to work toward a common goal as a team leader or a group member.

During the degree, you’ll practice communicating information technology solutions to people from a variety of backgrounds, using technical language and/or plain English. Lessons also teach you to better understand the project lifecycle and how to use project management techniques.

Students pursue a bachelor’s in information technology degree to be eligible for graduate studies or to land entry-level IT positions.

An information technology degree affords you the freedom to pursue careers outside of the confines of tech companies. The best IT degrees teach you the technical theory and programming skills required of computer network architects, computer programmers, and software developers.

With additional certifications, internships, and a graduate degree, you can compete for jobs as computer and information research scientists or positions in academia.

Those 377,500 job openings in computer and information technology we mentioned earlier encompass some of the roles in the table below.

An online IT degree program typically requires 120 credits and teaches the fundamentals of programming, computer systems, cybersecurity, and data communication. Courses cover topics like cross-platform technology, computing as a service, IT operations, and scripting at the bachelor’s level.

Coursework usually includes general requirements as well, especially in math, English, science, and history which you’ll complete prior to starting your major. Internships and capstone projects provide experiential learning usually in your senior year, while electives offer the chance to study from faculty in other departments.

Online information technology degrees often offer concentrations in the following areas:

These specialized tracks allow students to better prepare for their future careers. Nevertheless, some graduates may not enter the workforce right away, as a bachelor’s degree in IT online also prepares students for further education.

Graduate degrees open additional doors in the field and allow students to pursue research or teaching positions at postsecondary institutions and senior positions in tech.

Most full-time students complete an online bachelor’s degree in information technology in four years, but colleges usually offer several additional options.

Earning an online IT degree typically costs less than going to college on the traditional route. According to the NCES, an online IT degree costs $9,679 each year on average, while in-person you’ll pay an annual average of $11,339.

Online learning saves on campus housing and transportation fees, but schools often assess technology fees.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by TheBestSchools. Page last reviewed November 16, 2023.