Best Online Information Technology (IT) Degrees of 2025
Are you ready to discover your college program?
Information technology (IT) is a growing field with many opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for computer and IT professionals will grow much faster than average between 2023-2033.
With this degree, 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.
Popular Online IT Degree Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
10 Best Online IT Degree Programs
Franklin University
Columbus, OH- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$9,552
- Out-of-state$9,552
- In-State$16,080
- Out-of-state$16,080
- Retention Rate50%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled8,044
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
- Las Cruces, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,728
- Out-of-state$25,055
- In-State$5,184
- Out-of-state$18,023
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled14,779
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment70%
- AccreditationYes
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Carbondale, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,638
- Out-of-state$9,638
- In-State$11,268
- Out-of-state$28,170
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate16%
- Students Enrolled11,359
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
DePaul University
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$42,449
- Out-of-state$42,449
- In-State$21,719
- Out-of-state$21,719
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled21,348
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment60%
- AccreditationYes
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
- Tallahassee, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,645
- Out-of-state$17,585
- In-State$8,019
- Out-of-state$22,108
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate21%
- Students Enrolled9,265
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
University of Arizona Global Campus
- Chandler, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$12,240
- Out-of-state$12,240
- In-State$12,645
- Out-of-state$12,645
- Retention Rate30%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled34,190
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
George Mason University
- Fairfax, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,092
- Out-of-state$34,260
- In-State$13,426
- Out-of-state$35,377
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled39,528
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment71%
- AccreditationYes
Mercer University
- Macon, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,017
- Out-of-state$30,017
- In-State$15,531
- Out-of-state$15,531
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled9,124
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
University of Missouri-St. Louis
- Columbia, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,000
- Out-of-state$33,200
- In-State$10,447
- Out-of-state$28,605
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled31,041
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
Loyola University Chicago
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$48,100
- Out-of-state$48,100
- In-State$19,440
- Out-of-state$19,440
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled17,397
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Why Get an IT Degree Online?
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.
Some benefits of pursuing an IT degree online include:
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.- Practical Skills: You’ll develop a solid foundation in programming, network architecture, and information security, setting you up for entry-level IT jobs or graduate studies, just like a traditional, on-campus IT program.
- Self-Paced Programs: Online programs can be synchronous or asynchronous, 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.
- Cost Savings: Many online degree programs offer lower tuition rates than their on-campus counterparts, particularly public universities in your state. You can also save on commuting, housing, and campus-related fees as an online student.
What Can You Do With an IT Degree?
With a bachelor’s degree in IT, you can find many high-paying, in-demand jobs. Possible career paths include working as a software engineer, network administrator, cybersecurity specialist, and data analyst.
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.
Job Outlook for IT Careers
The job market is strong for many IT-related careers. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for computer and IT jobs was nearly $105,000 as of May 2023. The BLS projects these jobs to grow much faster than average from 2023-2033. For example, the BLS projects that information security analyst jobs will grow 33% from 2023-2033.
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.
| IT Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s Degree | Median Annual Wage (May 2023) | Job Outlook (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Network Architect | $129,840 | 13% |
| Computer Programmer | $99,700 | -10% |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $103,800 | 11% |
| Information Security Analysts | $120,360 | 33% |
| Software Developers | $130,160 | 17% |
What to Expect From an Online IT Degree Program
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.
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.
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.
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. IT specializations include:
- Business management
- Cybersecurity
- Data analytics
- Digital forensics
- Game development
- Health informatics
- Project management
- Software development
- Supply chain management
- IT management
How Much Do Online IT Degrees Cost?
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 degrees was $7,806 in 2020, while an in-person degree cost $12,840.
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.
Median Annual Tuition and Fees for an IT (Computer and Information Sciences) Degree
$7,806
Online IT Degree
$12,840
Traditional, In-Person IT Degree
Frequently Asked Questions About Online IT Programs
The broad category of information technology, or IT, comes from data processing. IT refers to information infrastructure and the practical application of technology to process, store, send, and receive information.
