Online Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology (BSIT) - Best of 2024

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Information technology continues to be a hot topic. After all, our lives now revolve around information, which we view on screens, store in databases, and is electronically delivered to us from far-flung points on the globe. The business world is intimately tied to IT, as is healthcare and many other industries. Thus, the job outlook for IT professionals is still growing with no end in sight. In fact, every day there are new specialties for IT gurus to pursue, and ever more technological advances to master and implement. Completing an online or traditional bachelor's in information technology degree program is one of the best ways to break into this field. Campus-based or online bachelor's degree programs will prepare students, even online learners, to succeed in a position such as a computer systems analyst, information security analyst, computer network architect, or computer support specialists. Students may take courses in any of the following subjects and end their bachelor's in information technology degree programs prepared to earn industry certifications or move into advanced courses in a master's degree.

Intro to Computer Science and Information Technology
Computer Systems
Operating Systems
Computer Networks Security
Information Security
Computer Programming Languages, such as Java Programming
Data Science
Database Development
Data Management
Project Management
Software Development
And More

PROS

An on-campus or online bachelor's in information technology degree program will prepare students for a long career as high-tech professionals. The positive aspects of these degree programs are nearly limitless, but one of the chief benefits of bachelor's degrees is that you could have an easy time finding your first job. You will rise above all other candidates who don't have a bachelor's degree in information technology and command a higher salary, too.

Bachelor's in information technology degree programs can also prepare you for most any certification offering technical knowledge and technical skills you might need for data management, web development, computer systems and computer networks security, project management, systems analysis, software development, computer programming, database management, or business and management. In fact, you can start your specialization while still in school, since the wide array of courses available in a four-year program will let you pick and choose the topics that appeal to you the most. A four-year degree program also provides the opportunity to take other useful courses such as business communications, project management, and accounting, which are also available through online programs.

CONS

A bachelor's program or bachelor of science degree certainly has lots of positive aspects attached to it, but there are also drawbacks. One drawback is that a four-year degree can be limiting. Most IT graduates emerge from school as generalists. That is, you will know a little bit about a wide range of subjects such as cyber security, networking, operating systems and computer systems, programming, or database management. This foundation is fantastic to build on, but you may still need more training to get into project management, software development, or administration positions.

Further, if you would like to rise into upper management, you will need to return to school for more IT training or an MBA, likely through online education. A graduate IT program will allow you to pursue the specialization that most appeals to you. You might also find that certain certifications require that you have a higher degree or coursework that your undergraduate information technology program didn't cover.

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Top 25 Best Online Bachelors in Information Technology Programs

Northeastern University

Score: 83.64

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,141
- Out-of-State: $63,141
Net Price: $35,827
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 91%
Total Enrollment: 30,013
Undergrad Students: 16,302
Graduate Students: 13,711
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Score: 77.17

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,570
- Out-of-State: $35,396
Net Price: $17,240
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 71%
Total Enrollment: 17,153
Undergrad Students: 12,389
Graduate Students: 4,764
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

George Mason University

Score: 76.66

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,815
- Out-of-State: $39,397
Net Price: $18,479
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 71%
Total Enrollment: 39,049
Undergrad Students: 27,014
Graduate Students: 12,035
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Florida International University

Score: 76.18

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State: $18,963
Net Price: $9,881
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 55,609
Undergrad Students: 45,688
Graduate Students: 9,921
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

North Carolina A&T State University

Score: 75.5

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,748
- Out-of-State: $20,408
Net Price: $9,189
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 57%
Total Enrollment: 13,487
Undergrad Students: 11,833
Graduate Students: 1,654
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Regis University

Score: 75.44

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,980
- Out-of-State: $43,980
Net Price: $26,377
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 4,668
Undergrad Students: 2,398
Graduate Students: 2,270
Grads Salary: $89,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Arizona State University

Score: 74.62

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,051
- Out-of-State: $32,193
Net Price: $14,808
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 80,065
Undergrad Students: 65,492
Graduate Students: 14,573
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

University of Missouri-Columbia

Score: 74.31

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,130
- Out-of-State: $34,338
Net Price: $19,889
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 75%
Total Enrollment: 31,304
Undergrad Students: 23,745
Graduate Students: 7,559
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Score: 73.99

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,896
- Out-of-State: $33,751
Net Price: $16,926
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 33,403
Undergrad Students: 25,777
Graduate Students: 7,626
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

American Public University System

Score: 73.23

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,400
- Out-of-State: $8,400
Net Price: $11,172
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 55%
Total Enrollment: 48,668
Undergrad Students: 39,206
Graduate Students: 9,462
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

University of Cincinnati

Score: 73.14

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,570
- Out-of-State: $30,582
Net Price: $20,149
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 72%
Total Enrollment: 41,155
Undergrad Students: 29,663
Graduate Students: 11,492
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Drexel University

Score: 72.94

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $60,663
- Out-of-State: $60,663
Net Price: $39,267
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 87%

Graduation Rate: 78%
Total Enrollment: 22,344
Undergrad Students: 14,021
Graduate Students: 8,323
Grads Salary: $84,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Hallmark University

Score: 72.72

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,240
- Out-of-State: $41,240
Net Price: $12,281
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 66%
Total Enrollment: 876
Undergrad Students: 792
Graduate Students: 84
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Oregon Institute of Technology

Score: 72.25

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,687
- Out-of-State: $35,592
Net Price: $17,283
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 57%
Total Enrollment: 4,911
Undergrad Students: 4,802
Graduate Students: 109
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

DePaul University

Score: 71.22

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,460
- Out-of-State: $44,460
Net Price: $32,151
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 20,917
Undergrad Students: 14,134
Graduate Students: 6,783
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Penn State World Campus

Score: 71.19

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,204
- Out-of-State: $15,204
Net Price: $19,551
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 36%
Total Enrollment: 13,979
Undergrad Students: 8,210
Graduate Students: 5,769
Grads Salary: $94,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Indiana Wesleyan University

Score: 70.99

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $31,168
- Out-of-State: $31,168
Net Price: $21,755
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 2,603
Undergrad Students: 2,236
Graduate Students: 367
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

New Mexico State University

Score: 70.88

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,147
- Out-of-State: $25,271
Net Price: $10,407
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 14,268
Undergrad Students: 11,591
Graduate Students: 2,677
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

University of Minnesota-Crookston

Score: 70.66

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,120
- Out-of-State: $13,120
Net Price: $12,894
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 71%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 2,303
Undergrad Students: 2,303
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Monroe College

Score: 70.5

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,922
- Out-of-State: $17,922
Net Price: $9,157
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 7,011
Undergrad Students: 5,916
Graduate Students: 1,095
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Score: 70.42

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,832
- Out-of-State: $21,864
Net Price: $16,834
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 64%
Total Enrollment: 21,639
Undergrad Students: 13,032
Graduate Students: 8,607
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Texas A&M University-Central Texas

Score: 69.56

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,627
- Out-of-State: $16,419
Net Price: $5,465
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 2,198
Undergrad Students: 1,712
Graduate Students: 486
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

University of North Texas

Score: 69.18

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,164
- Out-of-State: $21,244
Net Price: $15,283
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 44,767
Undergrad Students: 33,023
Graduate Students: 11,744
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 23:1

Western Governors University

Score: 68.97

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,300
- Out-of-State: $8,300
Net Price: $9,207
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 65%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 156,935
Undergrad Students: 112,807
Graduate Students: 44,128
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 42:1

University of Denver

Score: 68.8

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $59,340
- Out-of-State: $59,340
Net Price: $42,423
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 88%

Graduation Rate: 77%
Total Enrollment: 13,734
Undergrad Students: 6,151
Graduate Students: 7,583
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

Associates Vs. Bachelor’s

In the IT world, you can still build a strong career without a formal degree, whether an information technology degree or another related computer science field for in-person or online students. If you study hard and remain disciplined, you can attain certifications that employers value. For instance, many programmers and even software developers are self-taught journeymen who rely more on their portfolio than a degree.

However, an online bachelor's degree in information technology or a related IT degree will provide a well-rounded education that could help prospective students land management positions, and which will provide a foundation for graduate school or another degree completion program.

Certifications and associate information technology programs cannot help you enter graduate school and, later in your career, it may seem daunting to spend four years earning a bachelor's in information technology degree to then continue for a two-year graduate program. This is despite the fact that online programs make these options much more accessible; an online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology programs can be found in schools all over the country, as well as other IT degree options in computing and information sciences.

What Information Technology Bachelor’s Degrees are Available?

Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology:
Your Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology will likely include coursework that includes topics that aren't necessarily STEM related. That is, you might take courses that prepare you for your role in an organization such as business communications, management, or others.
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology:
A BS in IT is much like a BA, but it is likely to place more weight on STEM subjects. Where a BA might offer electives in communications or management, a BS might steer you towards accounting or statistics to round off an exclusively analytical approach.
Bachelor of Applied Arts in Information Technology:
A BAA in IT is a great choice if you've been working in IT with a certification or other non-academic credentials. A BAA focuses on job prospects more than pure academics, but you can still pursue a graduate degree with a transcript that reflects a BAA.
Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology:
A BAS is a four-year degree that will build on your non-academic IT experience and credentials to prepare you for career advancement. The focus of BAS degrees is workplace success more than academic achievement. Nevertheless, your BAS credits should qualify you to apply for graduate school later on.

Admission Requirements

If you want a bachelor's degree in IT, you will need a high school diploma or the equivalent, satisfactory SAT scores, and letters of recommendation. Your school may have additional requirements to enter their IT department for the major, such as certain coursework and a GPA of 2.5 or above. Admission requirements are the same for online and in-person programs.

Search Programs Offering Information Technology Majors

If your school's IT department is particularly competitive, you could pursue part-time jobs or internships that provide experience in the field. You could also take time during summer break to study for a certification in a related specialty area, such as programming or cybersecurity.

How long does it take to earn an online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology?

A typical bachelor's degree in IT is designed to take four years. However, many, if not most, students are taking up to six years to complete their baccalaureate degrees. You can enroll in a fast-track IT bachelor's degree that might only take you 2-3 years to complete. If you are pursuing a degree, try to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure that you can graduate as quickly as possible. After all, your degree will serve you far better over the long-term than any short-term concerns.

To help you stay on track for a four-year graduation, you could limit your work to part-time and take a few online courses to help maintain a full-time course load. If taking full-time courses is too much, make sure you stay in school year-around and fill the summer with learning.

Additional Degree Coursework in Information Technology

Potential Careers in Information Technology with a Bachelor’s

Network Administrator:
Every organization needs a network to facilitate file-sharing, distribute software, and otherwise connect the firm's systems. In this job, you will help build and maintain a network while also working with end users to create their network accounts. You may also be called to train others on how to best utilize the network.
The average salary for this profession is $60,100.
Database Administrator:
A business is only as good as its database. As an administrator, you will be in charge of maintaining that database, ensuring its safety, and providing permissions to various groups and individuals who need access.
Since this position is so vital, employers pay an average salary of $74,000 per year.
Programmer:
Computer programmers create and develop software packages to best ease the work of end users. They also work on fun things like video games and web applications.
This highly technical field pays an average salary of $64,200 but, if your start-up goes public, your payday could be much larger.
Cyber Security Analyst:
As we learn more and more about the threat posed by foreign and domestic hackers, this job gains value and importance. Cybersecurity professionals are experts in thwarting black-hat hackers with white-hat techniques.
Since this role is so important these days, the average salary is high at $76,600.

Options to Advance

Once you have a bachelor's degree in information technology, you might discover that you need to bolster your credentials to take your career to the next level. One of the first steps you might take is to pursue specializations and career-focused certifications. For instance, you could achieve a certification in Cyber Security, Cisco Networks, or Linux, among other options.

There are many options for pursuing these certifications, most of which do not convey any academic credit. However, when you add verifiable, reputable credentials to your resume, your graduate school application will also be bolstered. You will also find that your pay and job opportunities increase.

Beyond training, you should also seek out workplace experiences that cater to your specific strengths and goals. While you are still in school, look for part-time jobs in tech support or IT, or pursue personal projects that implement your growing skill set. Even a small side business setting up websites can be a helpful addition to your resume.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is information technology a difficult major?

The answer to this question really depends on how skilled you are at technical thinking and whether or not computer logic is something you can easily understand. In other words, do you already have computer skills? When you hear someone explain how something in a computer works, does it make sense to you? Those who aren’t confused easily by computer science concepts will have the easiest time with this as a major. You are likely to also need to take several mathematics courses throughout an IT program, so if this is something that gives you trouble, then you might have a harder time than others in earning your major in information technology or computer science. Programming, logic, and mathematics are the subjects that tend to give students in this major the most trouble.

Can I complete an information technology major without higher level math?

While it’s true that every college or university creates their own curriculum for their programs, it is also true that mathematics is vital to the understanding of many information technology concepts. Thus, you are likely going to have to take at least a couple higher-level math courses in order to earn your degree in IT.

Best Online Bachelors in Information Technology Degrees for 2024

Get Matched With Information Technology Programs

PROS

CONS

Compare Popular Online Information Technology Programs

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Top 25 Best Online Bachelors in Information Technology Programs

Northeastern University

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

George Mason University

Florida International University

North Carolina A&T State University

Regis University

Arizona State University

University of Missouri-Columbia

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

American Public University System

University of Cincinnati

Drexel University

Hallmark University

Oregon Institute of Technology

DePaul University

Penn State World Campus

Indiana Wesleyan University

New Mexico State University

University of Minnesota-Crookston

Monroe College

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Texas A&M University-Central Texas

University of North Texas

Western Governors University

University of Denver

Associates Vs. Bachelor’s

What Information Technology Bachelor’s Degrees are Available?

Admission Requirements

Search Programs Offering Information Technology Majors

How long does it take to earn an online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology?

Potential Careers in Information Technology with a Bachelor’s

Options to Advance

sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is information technology a difficult major?

Can I complete an information technology major without higher level math?

sources:

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