25 Best Online Masters in Information Technology [2025 Guide]
By Joy Miller
Edited by Briana Sukert
Updated on December 27, 2024
Explore online masters in information technology programs for 2025. Compare IT degrees, technology career paths, and salaries.
An online masters in information technology can bring you deeper into the growing, evolving tech sector.
This is an interesting degree option with a lot of range because of the way the tech sector now reaches into every sector. An advanced degree in IT is a great option for sharpening your skills, learning new tech concepts, and exploring theories of IT management.
It can also be important if you’d like to apply the skills you have within a leadership position.
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Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Established in 1885, Arizona State University is a public university with five campuses spanning the Phoenix metro area. Enrollment over 100,000 makes it one of the country’s largest public universities. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees are offered across 400 graduate degree and certificate programs.
Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
Colorado Technical University in Colorado Springs, Colorado, offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in the fields of tech, business, and management. Founded in 1965, CTU’s current enrollment numbers are 23,094 undergraduate students and 2,703 graduate students.
Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Concordia University, St. Paul in Saint Paul, Minnesota, has a total enrollment of 5,000 students. This school with a history dating back to 1893 offers undergraduate programs, graduate programs, adult undergraduate degree programs, continuing classes and licensures.
Concordia University-Saint Paul is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Founded in 1851, cutting-edge Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, is a public space-grant and sea-grant research university. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees are offered in a research-focused setting.
Florida State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) is a private university in Melbourne, Florida, offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs. Nearly half of all Florida Tech students are enrolled in its School of Engineering. It was founded in 1958.
Florida Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Located near Fairfax, Virginia, George Mason University is a public research university offering degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The school has expanded to a student enrollment of 38,255 since its founding in 1949.
George Mason University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Chicago’s Illinois Institute of Technology is a private university with a student enrollment of 7,266 that traces its history back to 1890. The school offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees with tech-integrated curricula.
Illinois Institute of Technology is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Situated in Kennesaw, Georgia, Kennesaw State University is a public university offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degree programs. The school was founded in 1963 as part of the great economic expansion of Georgia.
Kennesaw State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Lawrence Technological University (Lawrence Tech) in Southfield, Michigan, is a private university founded in 1932. The school offers a variety of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.
Lawrence Technological University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Loyola University Chicago is a private Catholic research university located in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded by the Jesuits in 1870. Students can pursue a variety of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.
Loyola University – Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
New Jersey’s Montclair State University is a public research university offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in Montclair. Students can choose from more than 300 majors and concentrations. The school has an enrollment totaling 21,115 students.
Montclair State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Founded by businessman John Purdue in 1869, Purdue University is a public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school is known for facilitating discoveries in the areas of math, science, technology, and engineering.
Students can pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in a variety of liberal arts and technical majors.
Purdue University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Regis University is a private Jesuit university founded in 1877 in Denver, Colorado. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in health professions, liberal arts, computer science, and business. Enrollment is 8,368.
Regis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Southern New Hampshire University is a private university located in Manchester, New Hampshire that was founded in 1932. The school is one of few with a policy for open enrollment.
Students can pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees within the university’s Engineering, Technology and Aeronautics (CETA) program, College of Online and Continuing Education (COCE), School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, and School of Education.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Towson University is a public university located in Towson, Maryland, with an enrollment of more than 20,000. Founded in 1866, the school offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across its eight colleges. Towson graduates the most teachers of any Maryland university.
Towson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Founded in 1824, Tulane University is a private research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Originally a medical college, Tulane now offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across a variety of disciplines. Enrollment is 14,062.
Tulane University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, is the state’s oldest institution of higher learning. It has grown to an enrollment of more than 44,000 students since its founding in 1819. Students can study in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.
The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Established in 1947, the University of Maryland Global Campus is an online public university with headquarters in Adelphi, Maryland. Enrollment totals nearly 60,000 students. The school offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
UMGC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Situated in Lowell, Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public research university that is part of the University of Massachusetts system. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
It is one of the country’s only public universities to offer accredited degrees in meteorology, sound recording, nuclear engineering, and plastics engineering. The school was founded in 1894.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public research university with a campus in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school is part of the University of North Carolina system. Founded in 1956, it offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
UNCG is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Founded in 1856, the University of South Florida in Tampa is part of the State University System of Florida. The school has an enrollment of more than 50,000. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs are offered.
USF is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges.
The University of Texas at Dallas is a research university with a main campus in Richardson, Texas. The school was founded in 1961. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.
The University of Texas at Dallas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Founded in 1872, Virginia Tech is a research university located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is one of six senior military colleges in the United States.
Virginia Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Walden University is an online school that offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in the fields of public health, education, philosophy, and business administration. The school was founded in 1970.
Walden is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Western Governors University is a private online university with headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees. It was founded in 1997.
Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
There’s some variety when it comes to selecting a path for your IT masters degree. The changing digital landscape means that new specialties are emerging.
Click on the field that most interests you to jump to that section of the guide:
Being at the forefront of one of these specialties can take you to some very interesting places in your career!
A classic masters degree online in information technology can help you gain general expertise in your field. This degree is often a precursor to a role as an IT director.
You might handle everything from designing networks to overseeing security protocols for an enterprise.
A specialty in cyber security can put you in the position of designing and maintaining a strategic line of defense against cyber criminals. This is the ultimate career role for a “problem solver” who enjoys using high-level concepts to stay one step ahead!
A degree program focused on cyber security can train you in threat detection and neutralization.
By training to be a professional in the field of digital forensics, you can work toward becoming an expert at applying concepts of forensic science to recovering information from digital devices. These experts are often utilized by police departments, government organizations, and investigators.
This specialty requires people to wear the hat of the detective, scientist, and tech expert!
Health informatics is a specialty focused on designing and supporting technology used in health information systems. This specialty has a lot of room for growth as medical records become more widely digitized.
This role combines organizational programming with security because people in this profession are tasked with designing user-friendly systems that contain highly sensitive and confidential information.
Information systems security is a unique strain within the IT field because its emphasis is mainly on protecting hardware and networks that are part of user interfaces.
As a systems expert, you may be responsible for keeping all digital enterprise collateral secure and operating at a company, agency, or organization.
Are you interested in being the person who powers and maintains that “invisible engine” that keeps servers, email, websites, and messaging platforms running? Focusing on network management when pursuing your IT masters degree can teach you how to be the person who keeps every careful chess piece of a network in the perfect configuration.
Students in this concentration learn how to manage network performance and achieve error-free performance.
IT professionals don’t necessarily just work at IT firms and tech companies. Consumer brands, manufacturing companies, media companies, hospitals, government agencies, and schools all need tech experts.
We can look at masters in information technology salary information to get a glimpse at just how valued professionals with this designation are in today’s workforce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for computer and information systems managers is $151,150 per year.
| Careers |
Annual Median Salary |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist |
$126,830 |
| Computer Network Architect |
$116,780 |
| Software Developer |
$110,140 |
| Information Security Analyst |
$103,590 |
| Database Administrator |
$98,860 |
| Computer Systems Analyst |
$93,730 |
| Computer Programmer |
$89,190 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator |
$84,810 |
| Web Developer |
$77,200 |
| Computer Support Specialist |
$55,510 |
The salary level is often directly linked to skill and educations levels for IT professions at both private and government organizations. Masters in information technology salary can often be higher than average because graduates with this degree can potentially step in as a team lead or manager. If you want to increase your salary potential even more, consider looking into any online PhD information technology programs.
The big task of choosing the perfect online masters in information technology program comes next! This is a time to really weigh what you need in a program against what schools have to offer.
We’ll also take a look at what schools want to see from you via admissions criteria.
There’s no way around the fact that you’ll likely be immersed in a challenging, high-tech curriculum when pursuing your online masters in information technology. Yes, most courses focus on highly technical aspects of designing and maintaining networks.
Your course list will probably be balanced out with courses that explore concepts like the financial and ethical aspects of tech as well.
Here’s a look at some courses you might take as you move forward with your masters in information technology online:
Each course included in an online masters in information technology program is designed to leave you with a new set of very rare and valued skills. These courses create very hands-on experiences because you are often graded on the way you implement concepts into designs.
Here’s a look at what’s generally required when applying to get your online masters in information technology:
Taking the GRE can be a time-consuming and expensive process. It might be helpful to see if an online program that you’re eyeing actually requires you to complete this test before you dive in!
The topic of accreditation pops up once you begin browsing IT masters programs. No, you don’t necessarily need to attend a school with regional accreditation to make your degree valuable. Some employers do look upon schools with regional accreditation more favorably.
Prestige isn’t the only reason to consider regional accreditation. It could make a difference if you decide that you’d like to transfer degree credits or pursue a doctorate degree in the future.
Do your homework to see if a school you’re considering has regional accreditation through one of the accreditation bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
It’s helpful to be immersed in some professional affiliations in such a fast-moving, evolving industry as tech. Professional organizations for IT experts are very robust and active precisely for this reason.
Here’s a look at the best professional organizations to consider jumping into after graduating with your IT masters degree:
It can be really worth your while to research these organizations because they help IT professionals to stay connected on both global and local levels. In addition to getting access to highly respected certifications, members of organizations tend to have an easier time staying on top of the pressing issues facing their industry.
It only makes sense that you’ll need to update your skills somewhat frequently when you’re in an innovative field like IT. After all, you probably got into this field precisely because you don’t want to be bored.
Certifications are helpful for updating your skills after graduating from a masters program. They can also help make you more marketable for things like new job roles or intra-office promotions.
Here’s a look at some of the big certifications that employers might be interested in:
These certifications should be considered important assets for proving your capabilities. Certain employers may require some of these certifications as conditions for employment. You can also be proactive about enrolling in courses and testing on your own to build up your skillset.
FAFSA and other paths for financial aid may be available to you as a graduate student. It’s possible that you can receive aid through a work-study program while you’re a student. Some schools will allow you to work in roles that actually utilize your IT skills.
Multiple scholarships exist for students pursuing degrees in the IT field.
One scholarship that should be on your radar is the Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship. This is a merit-based scholarship that is open to graduate students and adult students who are either currently enrolled in a program or plan to begin school within the next 12 months.
The Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Diversity Scholarship is open to full-time women or minority students enrolled in their second semesters or equivalent. You must be pursuing a graduate degree at an accredited academic institution in the United States to qualify. A one-time scholarship sum of $3,000 is awarded to the chosen recipient.
A masters in IT is a way to expand your skillset while also potentially priming yourself for a managerial or lead role within an IT organization.
You can tailor your degree specialty toward a number of directions that can help place you in roles to build and maintain IT infrastructures and systems.
Yes, a masters degree in information technology is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 11% job growth in computer and information technology occupations over the next 10 years. Common careers in this field include computer systems analyst, computer network architect, and computer and information research scientist.
A masters in IT is usually a smart, strategic move for someone who is seeking to build a career in IT.
Factors like industry recognition and the potential for generous pay make this a good degree option for those interested in tech careers.
The answer is really about finding a program that gives you the ability to dive deeper into the world of IT through graduate-level courses in a way that syncs up with your goals.
A program that allows you to integrate learning into your life is going to help you be a successful student.
An MBA focuses broadly on business administration. You won’t necessarily learn “hard skills” related to specific IT systems or principles.
A masters in information technology is a STEM-focused degree path.
Yes, many IT professionals are able to complete affordable programs. The online aspect of a degree program can create built-in savings simply because there is no need to pay for things like room and board or commuting costs. You can often continue working while enrolled.
You can generally compare costs between programs by weighing the requirement for semester hours against the cost per semester hour. This can provide you with a glimpse into the value each program offers instead of viewing annual tuition costs.
According the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations is $91,250.
That’s more than double the median annual wage of $41,950 that stands for all other occupations.
Most programs around the country require between 36 and 54 semester credits. A full-time graduate student pursuing a graduate IT degree is typically enrolled for two years.
A masters program for IT professionals is an intensive and immersive program that instructs students in the professional-level development of IT systems. Students typically cover hardware, infrastructure, programming, and security.
Specialty degree options exist for those interested in gaining expertise in branches of IT. This can include database development, programming languages, software development, network management, and data forensics.
It’s a tech world out there. An IT masters degree is one of the most relevant paths out there for students seeking to bolster their credentials and gain interesting job prospects in the future world.
You can be among those who are building the digital infrastructure and languages that can help organizations propel forward. The structure and guidance provided in an IT masters program can help you cover very dense topics and hard skills effectively.
You can also get access to instruction from professors and instructors with both hands-on leadership experience and backgrounds in tech theory.
What would it be like to emerge as a more qualified and confident tech professional in two years? A masters in information technology management may be a good fit if you have every intention of rising in your field.
Explore degree programs that can be completed online today! Submitting just one application could mean a completely new career path ahead.