2023 Best Online Master's in Information Technology (IT) Degrees
An online master's degree in information technology is intended for students who want to advance their careers in computer-related fields. Information technology is a broad field that includes roles in database management, network architecture, network administration, and information security. Master's degrees in this subject often include a concentration that lets students specialize in a particular focus area. Some programs also include some coursework on management to help prepare graduates to lead teams of technology specialists. Given all this, information technology master's degrees tend to focus more on the practical application of computer skills than master's in computer science programs, which feature more theory.
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Online Information Technology Master's Degrees You May Be Interested In
Arizona State University
Annual Tuition: $6,592 - $27,048
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Southern New Hampshire University Online
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Grand Canyon University
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2023 Best Online Master's in Information Technology (IT) Degrees
| Rank | School | Salary Score | Median Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | $105,476 | ||
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | 88 | $100,269 | |
| Western Governors University | 88 | $99,943 | |
| University of Washington - Seattle | 85 | $97,726 | |
| New York University | 78 | $93,668 | |
| Capella University | 67 | $88,228 | |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | 64 | $87,350 | |
| University of Dallas | 64 | $87,039 | |
| Temple University | 64 | $86,935 | |
| Strayer University | 62 | $86,262 |
2023 Online Colleges Offering Master's Degrees
Ranking Details
#1 Johns Hopkins University
- Salary Score: 94
- Median Starting Salary: $105,476
- Locations: Baltimore (MD)
- Accreditation: MSCHE
Johns Hopkins University (JHU), a private institution, offers an online Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics with a concentration in information technology and computation. Students in this program must complete 10 courses within five years to graduate.
JHU uses the Canvas learning management system to deliver online courses to students. Professors aim to teach advanced mathematics and how it can apply to innovative technology. Some required courses include Statistical Methods of Data Analysis and either Real Analysis or Matrix Theory. Enrollees can also choose from a variety of electives, such as Probability and Stochastic Process and Advanced Differential Equations.
#2 University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Salary Score: 88
- Median Starting Salary: $100,269
- Locations: Huntsville (AL)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is a public university with an online Master of Science in Information Systems degree that requires 30 credit hours of coursework. This program might take as little as 12 months of full-time study to finish.
Online learners at UAH sign in to the Canvas platform to work on courses, including posting in discussion forums and watching lecture recordings. Their professors teach a curriculum that's heavy on the theory and practice of technological systems and how to integrate them into employer networks. Course requirements include Systems Analysis & Design, Business Analytics & AI, and Data Management and Data Mining.
#3 Western Governors University
- Salary Score: 88
- Median Starting Salary: $99,943
- Locations: Salt Lake City (UT)
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, fully online school that has a Master of Science in Information Technology Management degree. This program contains 10 courses, which might take two years to complete. WGU's flexible course schedules mean that students can finish more quickly if they choose.
The university's online students log in to Canvas to complete coursework asynchronously. Faculty aim to develop students' leadership so they can manage projects and teams of technology workers. Required courses include Financial Management for IT Professionals, IT Sourcing and Development in a Global Economy, and a capstone in which students complete a final project based on a real workplace.
#4 University of Washington - Seattle
- Salary Score: 85
- Median Starting Salary: $97,726
- Locations: Seattle (WA)
- Accreditation: NWCCU
The University of Washington - Seattle (UW) is a public university that offers an online Master of Science in Clinical Informatics & Patient-Centered Technologies degree. This program focuses on IT work in healthcare and contains 42 credit hours of coursework. Full-time students may earn this degree in as little as 15 months.
UW uses the Canvas digital learning platform to host online courses. The curriculum covers the history of IT in medicine, tools for storing and analyzing health information, and skills for designing healthcare technology systems. All students take a group of courses that include Managing Quality Improvement, Access & Utilization and Health Care Information Systems & the Electronic Health Records. They must complete a research project or master's thesis to graduate.
#5 New York University
- Salary Score: 78
- Median Starting Salary: $93,668
- Locations: New York (NY)
- Accreditation: MSCHE
The private New York University (NYU) features two online master's degrees for IT enthusiasts. The first is a Master of Science in Management and Systems degree with 42 credit hours, and the second is a Master of Science in Management of Technology degree with 36 credit hours.
The first degree's curriculum covers the intersection of business and technology, and students choose to specialize in database technologies, enterprise risk management, strategy and leadership, or systems management. The second degree is aimed at mid-career technology employees who want to manage teams and organizations. It doesn't offer formal concentrations, but students can create a path that focuses on cybersecurity management, digital strategies and innovation, project management, or people analytics.
Overview of an Online Master's Degree in Information Technology
The online IT master’s program curriculum discusses the strategic use of information systems in the business world. Core technical classes look at telecommunications management, e-business technologies, database management, software engineering and computer programming. Management courses discuss project management and leading in a technology setting. Many information technology master’s programs require students to choose a particular module or specialization in an IT area. Possible focuses include software development, information security, health information technology, information systems management, and telecommunications systems. Along with the courses in the specialization area, many IT master’s programs require an on-site practicum or internship experience in an IT business setting.
The information technology master’s opens up a wide variety of leadership roles in information systems, including IT manager, project manager, information security specialist, systems analyst, network architect, and software developer. Other possible roles include network administrator, database administrator, and computer programmer. The career direction that graduates choose will likely depend on their degree specialization and previous professional experience; for example, it is useful for IT managers in a hospital to have previous experience in a healthcare setting.
Jobs and Salaries for IT Degrees
Receiving a master’s in information technology is a major step in launching or enhancing an IT career and sets students up for a high earning potential. The IT master’s degree provides students with professionally focused skills in information technology that incorporate perspectives from business and management. The programs allow students to further their understanding of how to manage and be a part of a comprehensive IT support systems within a thriving business through classroom and hands-on learning. Most programs take 2 years to complete and require around 30 credit hours to receive your degree. Students can take graduate-level courses in cyber-law and ethics, telecommunications management, e-business technologies, database management, software engineering and computer programming. Management courses discuss project management and leading in a technology setting.
As businesses have come to rely on the internet and computers to facilitate their day-to-day operations, IT professionals are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, computer and information systems occupations are expected to increase 13% through 2030 and more than half a million jobs are expected in this field. For graduates with a master's degree in computer and information technology may find plenty of opportunities in this growing field. Information support systems are integral to making sure a company’s information infrastructure runs smoothly and safely and information technicians are the first line of defense, making them invaluable to employers.
A master's degree in information technology can open a wide variety of leadership roles in information systems, including IT manager, project manager, senior database administrator, information security specialist, systems analyst, network architect, and software developer. These managerial-focused careers allow for higher-level positions and a higher earning potential. Master’s in IT programs are designed to prepare graduates for these advanced opportunities by offering a variety of high-quality, informative courses that focus on how students can apply the knowledge they received in the classroom to the business world.
Following are some of the jobs graduates with a master's degree in information technology can consider:
- Computer and information systems managers run the IT team of any business, institute, or organization. They are knowledgeable about every aspect of information technology and oversee all of the company's electronic systems and networks. They work with upper-management to effectively communicate the business' needs to other IT technicians. These professionals have an average annual income of $151,150.
- The chief technology officer (CTO) of a business oversees all of the company's technological departments. This is an executive-level position and involves managing a team of IT specialists. The average salary for a CTO is $163,399 per year, according to PayScale data.
- A chief information officer (CIO) is the executive who oversees all of the IT strategies for a business. They often work directly with the CEO in order to organize and implement IT networks in the best possible way. The average annual salary for a CIO is $111,832, according to Indeed employment data.
- IT project managers organize and monitor projects related to information technology. This requires leadership and managerial skills as project managers often have to oversee teams of IT specialists. The median salary for an IT project manager is $88,494 per year, according to PayScale.
- Senior database administrators arrange and store important information for an organization. They are responsible for keeping the information safe and accessible. The median annual salary for a senior database administrator is $98,860.
- Information security specialists are responsible for monitoring and maintaining a network's security system. Their average annual salary is $103,590.
- Systems analysts look at an organization's computer system and provide design assistance that aims to make the network run better and more efficiently for the organization. The average annual income for a systems analyst is $93,730.
- A computer network architect designs an organization's communication and information networks. These networks could be designed for small or large business and could be intranets, wide area networks (WAN), and local area networks (LAN). The average salary for a network architect is $116,780.
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