Online Master's Degree in Information Technology (MSIT/MSIS) - Best of 2024

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A master’s degree in information technology is increasingly in demand for today's employers. Business is already intimately tied to computing, but computer and information technology is advancing more and more all the time. There are also increasing threats from cyber-thieves and other sorts of hackers. Big data is demanding higher levels of understanding of systems and how to make sense of all the available information. Thus, you need to have as much knowledge as possible to stay on top of this rapidly growing field. For most, this means returning to school, though that need not be as much of a hassle these days, with online learning so easily available all over the country. You can attend courses 100% online, through a traditional classroom on the weekend, or through hybrid study, which includes online and in-person learning. Students in a regionally accredited college or university within the U.S. can expect to learn about the following subjects in the core courses of an advanced information technology degree (which will cover the majority of their credit hours), and may also want to choose concentrations, electives, or industry certifications in some of these subjects to help them reach niche or management positions that mesh with their professional experience.

Project Management
Computer Programming
Operating Systems Management
Computer and Information Research Scientist
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Enterprise Technology Management
Network Security / Information Assurance - Information Security / Database Security
Cloud Computing
Computer Network Arhcitect
Information Security
Business Intelligence
Database Management / Information Technology Management
Health Information Technology
Data Analytics
Software Development / Software Engineering
And More Leadership Positions and Information Technology Occupations

PROS

A Master’s in Information Technology degree is loaded with advantages for the degree holder. If you decide to work toward a graduate degree in information technology, you will reap great rewards in terms of heightened salary, more and better job opportunities, and professional status that is rewarding in itself. A graduate degree will also help you focus your career on a specific specialty beyond what a bachelor's degree in information technology can provide.

If you are working in a specialized area, such as information security or project management, a master's degree will focus on that for approximately two years so that you truly master the subject. For example, you might choose a Master's in Information Technology, MS in Cybersecurity, master's degree in network architecture, or a master's program in software engineering. When you graduate with a degree in advanced information technology, employers will see both your professional experience and academic credentials and then reward you with a top salary.

Information technology occupations are often tied to industry certifications, which are not necessarily academic in nature. However, even industry certifications can demand that you have a graduate degree before you sit for their examinations. You can also count on job advances that can perhaps take you into the C-suites. For instance, an MBA with concentrations that have an information technology focus might help you become the Chief Information Officer of a large corporation.

Aditionally, many companies will cover part or all of your tuition when you choose to take your courses online so that they do't interfere with your work and when you prommise to stay with the company for a period of time afterward.

CONS

It may seem like completing a master's in information technology program is a no-brainer - a flawless decision. However, there can be downsides, even to an information technology master's degree. For one thing, you will need to make time for your studies, even if you attend online. Where many certification programs you have access to after IT bachelor's degree programs allow you to take as much time as you need prior to taking their examination, colleges and even your state university might enforce deadlines with penalties that impact your GPA. You'll then need to make ample time for schoolwork for up to two years, if you attend a master's program's classes full-time.

Once you graduate with a master's in information technology degree, there's no guarantee that your salary will increase or that you'll get a promotion right away. Unless your employer offers tuition reimbursement, you'll likely have student loans to pay, as well. You'll need to account for these risks prior to applying to graduate school, but also consider the considerable upside should everything to according to plan.

Compare Popular Online Information Technology Programs

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Top 25 Best Online Masters in Information Technology Programs

Carnegie Mellon University

Score: 88.4

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $48,496
- Out-of-State: $48,496
Net Price: $33,499
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 92%
Total Enrollment: 16,002
Undergrad Students: 7,059
Graduate Students: 8,943
Grads Salary: $108,000
Student-to-faculty: 5:1

Johns Hopkins University

Score: 87.35

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,840
- Out-of-State: $62,840
Net Price: $24,034
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 94%
Total Enrollment: 31,275
Undergrad Students: 6,044
Graduate Students: 25,231
Grads Salary: $94,000
Student-to-faculty: 6:1

Northwestern University

Score: 87.1

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $52,698
- Out-of-State: $52,698
Net Price: $22,095
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Retention Rate: 98%

Graduation Rate: 97%
Total Enrollment: 23,161
Undergrad Students: 8,993
Graduate Students: 14,168
Grads Salary: $89,000
Student-to-faculty: 6:1

Purdue University

Score: 80.46

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,718
- Out-of-State: $28,520
Net Price: $12,576
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 83%
Total Enrollment: 51,528
Undergrad Students: 38,593
Graduate Students: 12,935
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Boston University

Score: 79.95

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,798
- Out-of-State: $63,798
Net Price: $27,829
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Retention Rate: 94%

Graduation Rate: 89%
Total Enrollment: 36,714
Undergrad Students: 18,459
Graduate Students: 18,255
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Stevens Institute of Technology

Score: 78.61

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,380
- Out-of-State: $41,380
Net Price: $41,689
Acceptance Rate: 46%
Retention Rate: 93%

Graduation Rate: 88%
Total Enrollment: 9,314
Undergrad Students: 4,070
Graduate Students: 5,244
Grads Salary: $101,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Virginia Tech

Score: 78.2

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,234
- Out-of-State: $30,702
Net Price: $19,301
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 86%
Total Enrollment: 38,170
Undergrad Students: 30,434
Graduate Students: 7,736
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Florida State University

Score: 77.51

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,684
- Out-of-State: $24,116
Net Price: $14,003
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Retention Rate: 94%

Graduation Rate: 85%
Total Enrollment: 44,161
Undergrad Students: 32,936
Graduate Students: 11,225
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Score: 77.12

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,534
- Out-of-State: $33,318
Net Price: $17,762
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 12,332
Undergrad Students: 9,019
Graduate Students: 3,313
Grads Salary: $88,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

California State University-Fullerton

Score: 74.97

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,176
- Out-of-State: $16,680
Net Price: $7,925
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 40,386
Undergrad Students: 35,432
Graduate Students: 4,954
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

Illinois Institute of Technology

Score: 74.52

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,500
- Out-of-State: $32,500
Net Price: $28,702
Acceptance Rate: 61%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 75%
Total Enrollment: 6,943
Undergrad Students: 3,125
Graduate Students: 3,818
Grads Salary: $91,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

University of South Florida

Score: 74.43

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,350
- Out-of-State: $19,048
Net Price: $11,004
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 49,600
Undergrad Students: 38,047
Graduate Students: 11,553
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Score: 73.64

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,980
- Out-of-State: $28,980
Net Price: $46,876
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 89%
Total Enrollment: 7,308
Undergrad Students: 5,246
Graduate Students: 2,062
Grads Salary: $95,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Score: 73.16

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,200
- Out-of-State: $24,000
Net Price: $14,023
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 7,080
Undergrad Students: 5,498
Graduate Students: 1,582
Grads Salary: $86,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Auburn University

Score: 72.58

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,692
- Out-of-State: $32,076
Net Price: $25,271
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 93%

Graduation Rate: 81%
Total Enrollment: 31,764
Undergrad Students: 25,379
Graduate Students: 6,385
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Score: 72.46

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,330
- Out-of-State: $27,706
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: 72.02

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,726
- Out-of-State: $35,677
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

University of Utah

Score: 71.79

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,353
- Out-of-State: $25,961
Net Price: $12,399
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 65%
Total Enrollment: 34,734
Undergrad Students: 26,355
Graduate Students: 8,379
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Score: 71.67

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,556
- Out-of-State: $28,160
Net Price: $12,444
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 8,223
Undergrad Students: 6,116
Graduate Students: 2,107
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

North Carolina A&T State University

Score: 71.08

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,895
- Out-of-State: $17,695
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

George Washington University

Score: 70.92

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,100
- Out-of-State: $35,100
Net Price: $42,723
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 85%
Total Enrollment: 25,939
Undergrad Students: 11,482
Graduate Students: 14,457
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Webster University

Score: 70.5

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,140
- Out-of-State: $13,140
Net Price: $23,069
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 6,396
Undergrad Students: 2,197
Graduate Students: 4,199
Grads Salary: $86,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Score: 70.29

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,632
- Out-of-State: $24,430
Net Price: $18,588
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 63%
Total Enrollment: 9,237
Undergrad Students: 7,169
Graduate Students: 2,068
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Arizona State University

Score: 70.1

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,376
- Out-of-State: $25,722
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

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Score: 69.63

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,159
- Out-of-State: $27,361
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

Overview of a Master's in IT

What Information Technology Master’s Degrees are Available?

Traditional or Online Master of Science in Information Technology:
This degree may sound like general information technology degree but at the graduate level you are sure to find more opportunities to specialize your work. As an MS degree, your work will dive deep into the analytical side of the profession. Other aspects, such as management or communications may not be as prevalent. However, each program is individual. Many of these are available with variable amounts of online elements.
Traditional or Online Master of Arts in Information Technology:
This degree type will propel you deep into your IT specialization, but you'll likely find softer courses as well. That is, the program might offer choices that are less quantitative, such as technical writing, business communications, or management. An MA might be a good choice if you intend on pursuing a leadership role and these are also available online from many places.
Traditional or Online Master of Business Administration - Information Technology:
IT and business courses are increasingly tied together, and MBA information technology programs have responded. If you've been working in information technology for a while and would like to integrate your love of technology with a leadership role, this is the field for you. An MBA will steep you in graduate level business coursework prior to helping you hone your information technology technical skills, as well as knowledge or project management and data analytics.
Master of Information Systems:
An MIS degree isn't so different from an MS in IT. However, an MIS degree will focus more clearly on computer systems and technology. Each program will define them a bit differently, so investigate their curriculum to determine if they provide the sort of courses you need to reach your goals.

Admission Requirements

To enter a Master of Information Technology program, you will have to prove that you are capable of handling the coursework and that you are driven to succeed with the degree after graduation. Thus, you'll need to provide undergraduate transcripts that show that you meet the minimum GPA requirements. Those attending online will have the same documentation requirements as those attending in-person courses. You should also provide GRE scores, a work history, letters of recommendation, and perhaps an admissions essay that details your experience and intentions with the degree.

Keep in mind that not only should your transcripts show a healthy GPA, but your alma mater should have been fully accredited. A regional accreditation is often preferred, but if you have a strong work history, including a few certifications for IT professionals, your admissions counselor should weigh these items appropriately.

How long does it take to earn an Information Technology Master’s online?

A graduate degree in information technology can take up to two full academic years to complete if you attend courses full-time and take a summer break. However, you can potentially finish earlier if your program offers appropriate courses over the summer. That said, students tend to take more time with their studies when they take online courses, so it's important that students attending online keep an eye on the required timeframe for completing their degree.

For that reason, consider the time you have to dedicate to your studies. Try to prioritize your school work, as it will pay off down the road. Many graduate students even save up prior to entering school so that they can work part-time or not at all while they advance their credentials.

Potential Information Technology Occupations with a Master’s

Software Developer:
You will need strong programming skills and the ability to work with end-user designers and clients to ensure that the applications meet their expectations to work in software development. To succeed, you should know one or more computer coding languages such as C++, Java, Python, PHP, and Unix shell scripting, among others. Some developers specialize in only one or two languages at a time, however.
Your expertise and experience will be well rewarded, as the average salary for this position is $71,900.
Cybersecurity Analyst:
Hackers and other cyber-criminals are running rampant these days. They are hacking financial, medical, and business databases and holding them for ransom. Now that we are recognizing the breadth of this problem, cybersecurity is becoming more of a priority both in the private and public sectors, whether we are talking cloud computing database security or information assurance more generally. Some workers are shifting from computer systems analyst positions into cybersecurity.
Thus, average pay for cybersecurity analysts is currently $76,600.

Search Programs Offering Information Technology Majors
Information Technology Manager:
When you complete your graduate degree in Information Technology, you will likely move up into management. If this is your goal, you might consider an MBA with an IT focus. Regardless, once you are in this position, you'll find that your value has risen significantly.
The average salary for IT management is $88,500.
Network Architect:
In this position, you will design, build, and maintain computer networks either on a local basis (LAN) or over a wider area (WAN) – perhaps both. You will need to have management and leadership skills as you assemble a team and create a budget for both labor and any necessary hardware.
The average salary for a network architect is $121,800.
Database Administrator:
To excel in this job you will probably need to know the Linux operating system, as that is increasingly the standard for server applications, though there are also other database management systems you may need to know about. You should also be well versed in cloud computing and SQL, among other technologies. Some database administrators work on an on-call basis, since any database problem must be addressed and contained immediately.
The average salary for database administrators is $74,000.

Options to Advance

If you would like to advance your career in information technology, you should consider not only an online master's in information technology, but also adding certifications to your resume. When you have upgraded your credentials from a bachelor's degree, your resume will look all the more enticing, not only to your managers but also to other employers and recruiters. In fact, once you add new credentials to your LinkedIn profile you are sure to hear from recruiters on a regular basis. If you achieve a professional certificate, make sure you keep it current with continuing education courses, if those are required. Regardless, any information technology professional should strive to be a lifelong learner.

In fact, while any education is valuable, strive to take courses that will lead to a credential of some sort. Even a graduate certificate will be helpful, and then can be applied to a degree later. Employers will be more impressed with some indication of completion over and above a string of unrelated courses.

Best Online Masters in Information Technology Degrees for 2024