Best Online Tech Schools – Before We Get Into The Topic, Let’s Learn Some Basic Of This Topic

A bachelor’s degree in information technology (IT) can lead to high-paying careers in cutting-edge industries. The demand for qualified IT experts is pervasive in all parts of business and trade as the world increasingly relies on computerized systems. Most entry-level IT positions that combine computer and management skills require at least a bachelor’s degree in information technology.

From 2019 through 2029, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts an 11% rise in computer and IT jobs nationwide. As of 2019, the median annual wage for these professionals was $88,240. A bachelor’s degree in information technology prepares students for professions in computer programming, database management, or cybersecurity, all of which offer job flexibility, longevity, and high pay.

The parts that follow go over the distinguishing characteristics of the best IT degrees in the country.

What Is Information Technology?

The development of hardware and software components, as well as the infrastructure and management of computer networks and systems, are all part of the ever-expanding IT field. Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and robotics have all been made possible through IT.

Certain components of information technology are frequently wrongly used to represent the entire field. IT jobs are diverse and frequently intertwined, with positions ranging from support technician to chief technology officer (CTO) filling critical gaps. While the roles of IT experts vary depending on the firm, practically every form of business employs IT personnel.

Between the 2011-12 and 2017-18 academic years, enrollment in bachelor’s programs in computer and information sciences surged by 70%. This increase reflects the increased popularity of IT programs among college students. IT occupations constantly draw students looking for high-growth possibilities and high pay in a variety of industries.

Why Get an Online IT Bachelor’s?

Students can gain a variety of advantages by pursuing an online IT bachelor’s degree:

  • Skills in Adaptable Technology

A bachelor’s degree in information technology earned online can lead to some positions in business, technology, and management. Computer programming, administration, and research abilities learned in a bachelor’s IT program are transferable to a variety of businesses.

  • High Earnings Prospects

Most IT jobs demand at least a bachelor’s degree and offer salaries that are more than twice as high as the national average. In 2019, the yearly median wage for computer network architects was more than $112,000 per year.

  • Job Stability

From 2019 to 2029, IT jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 11%, substantially faster than the average for all occupations. Students can pursue lucrative career prospects in their chosen IT expertise by working in healthcare, science, or academia.

Best Online Bachelor’s IT Degrees

1.Florida International University

FIU, Miami’s only public research university, with a diverse student body of 54,000 students. FIU is a national leader in distance education, offering more than 100 online degrees that are just as rigorous as those offered on campus.

Information Technology Bachelor’s Degree (IT)

FIU’s online IT degree offers students the option to learn on their own time with numerous start dates throughout the year. The 120-credit program focuses on hands-on skill development to equip students for real-world applications.

IT students pursue core courses such as human-computer interaction, applied computer networking, and professional and technical writing after completing the relevant requirements. Application development, system, database, and network administration are the four concentration areas accessible.

For students interested in pursuing a dual degree or a second bachelor’s degree, FIU also offers a bachelor of arts in information technology.

How to Apply to FIU?

A completed online application, a $30 application fee, and authentic high school or college transcripts are required of all applicants. ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 60 college credits.

A Quick Overview of the Program

  • Type of school: public
  • SACSCOC accreditation
  • Tuition: $229 per credit (in-state); $346 per credit (out-of-state) (out of state)
  • 120 credits are required.
  • Duration of the program: 4 years
  • 100% of the time, the delivery is done online (asynchronous)

2.Colorado State University

CSU Global is a self-contained institution inside the broader Colorado State University System that develops online programs to fit the demands of today’s students. CSU Global has 12,600 students, with 85 percent of them being above the age of 25.

Information Technology Bachelor’s Degree

Alumni of the CSU Global IT program report an average income rise of over 15% a year after graduation. Network engineer, help desk specialist, and systems administrator are among the top positions held by alumni.

Database administration, IT project management, basic programming, and applying leadership principles are among the topics covered in the program’s core courses. Every student completes a final IT capstone project and has the option of participating in a semester-long professional IT practicum.

More than two dozen career-focused specializations are available through CSU Global. Organizational leadership, marketing, and emergency management are all popular specializations. Students can also study criminology, homeland security, or artificial intelligence and robotics.

Applying for a position at CSU Global

The requirements for admission differ depending on the student’s age and the amount of time since graduating from high school. Transcripts from high school or GED certificates are required for all applicants. SAT or ACT scores, as well as a CV with two years of professional experience, may be required by CSU Global.

A Quick Overview of the Program

  • Type of school: public
  • HLC accreditation
  • $350 per credit intuition
  • 120 credits are required.
  • Duration of the program: 4 years
  • 100% of the time, the delivery is done online (asynchronous)

3.DePaul University

DePaul is the nation’s largest Catholic institution, with 22,000 students. Many DePaul professors work as consultants, researchers, and entrepreneurs in the Chicago metro region, providing real-world insights to the classroom.

Information Technology Bachelor’s Degree

The online bachelor’s in information technology program at DePaul increases students’ knowledge of computing technologies and business ideas. 93 percent of computing school graduates were employed, continuing their studies, or not actively seeking employment six months after graduation.

The 192-credit curriculum includes a unique media engineering focus that incorporates networking, applied programming, and filmmaking studies. Sound design, color correction, and an introduction to visual effects are among the topics covered in these classes. Students have the option of choosing between the normal concentration and the web development concentration.

A capstone experience is required for each concentration. Students in both standard and web development collaborate with community clients to help them address technical problems. Students in media engineering create a digital movie piece.

Applying to DePaul University

Freshmen must submit a CommonApp application as well as certified high school transcripts. Scores on the ACT and SAT are optional. On a rolling basis, transfer students are considered. Official college transcripts are required, and a 2.0 GPA is recommended.

A Quick Overview of the Program

  • Private school type
  • HLC accreditation
  • $13,517 per term intuition
  • 192 credits are required.
  • Duration of the program: 4 years
  • 100% online (asynchronous) or on-campus delivery format

4.Liberty University

When Liberty began offering VHS-based correspondence courses in 1985, it became a leader in remote education. The private Christian institution now has over 85,000 students, the majority of whom take classes online.

Information Technology Bachelor’s Degree

On average, it takes 3.5 years for students to finish Liberty’s 120-credit bachelor’s in information technology online. The school’s flexible transfer policy allows students to apply for prior college credits to fulfill up to 75 percent of their degree requirements.

Application and database development, data networking and security, web and mobile programming, and game creation are just a few of the specialties available in the curriculum. During their final semester, students have the option of participating in an internship.

Liberty University, being a Christian institution, emphasizes the value of both professional and spiritual development. There are three obligatory basic survey courses in theology, the Bible, and Christian life.

Making an application to Liberty

Students must submit a self-certification form stating that they have completed a high school diploma or equivalent. Liberty demands, if applicable, the production of college transcripts and advises a minimum 2.0 GPA.

A Quick Overview of the Program

  • Private school type
  • SACSCOC accreditation
  • Tuition is $390 per credit hour.
  • 120 credits are required.
  • Duration of the program: 3.5 years
  • 100% of the time, the delivery is done online (asynchronous)

5.George Mason University

Mason University, Virginia’s largest public research university, was founded in 1972. Each year, more than 37,000 students enroll in the innovative, inclusive institution’s on-campus and online programs.

Information Technology Bachelor’s Degree

Mason’s undergraduate information technology program prepares students to compete for IT jobs or seek advanced education. The Computing Certification Commission of ABET has granted programmatic accreditation to the 120-credit degree.

Database technology and programming, health information technology, cybersecurity, network and telecommunications, and web development are the five concentrations available at Mason. All students undergo a two-semester, team-based capstone sequence that requires them to complete several projects and work with a real-world client to examine and improve business processes utilizing technology.

Virtual appointments, resume and cover letter checks, virtual workshops and career fairs are among the advising and career support options available to online students.

Making an application to Mason

Mason needs high school transcripts, as well as a personal statement and two letters of recommendation from freshmen applicants. Optional ACT or SAT results can be submitted by students. Transfer applicants must meet additional requirements.

A Quick Overview of the Program

  • Type of school: public
  • SACSCOC, ABET accreditation
  • $559 per credit (in-state); $1,536 per credit (out-of-state) (out of state)
  • 120 credits are required.
  • Duration of the program: 4 years
  • 100% of the time, the delivery is done online (asynchronous and synchronous)

6.New Mexico State University

The 14,300 students at NMSU come from 49 states and 89 nationalities and are represented by a gun-toting cowboy mascot dubbed Pistol Pete. NMSU is a Hispanic-serving university as well as a NASA space-grant college.

Information and Communication Technology Bachelor of Arts

For students with associate degrees, NMSU’s online IT degree is typically offered as a two-year bachelor’s completion program, but learners can also complete the entire four-year program online through remote general education classes.

Courses include Java programming, digital forensics and incident response, and ethical hacking as part of the 120-credit degree program. All students complete a senior design project during their final semester. Written and spoken communication, design principles, teamwork, and project management abilities are all highlighted in the capstone.

NMS U’s online bachelor’s degree students pay the same tuition rates regardless of where they live in the state.

Applying to New Mexico State University

Freshmen applicants must have a minimum 2.75 high school GPA, an ACT score of 21, an SAT score of 1060, or be in the top 20% of their graduating class. A 2.0 GPA is required for transfer applicants.

A Quick Overview of the Program

  • Type of school: public
  • HLC accreditation
  • $380 per credit intuition
  • 120 credits are required.
  • Program Length: 4 years
  • 100% of the time, the delivery is done online.

7.Regis University

Regis University is the sole Jesuit Catholic university in the Rocky Mountain West, having been founded in 1877. Each year, about 7,000 students participate in one of the more than 130 academic programs offered.

Information Technology Bachelor’s Degree

Regis University’s bachelor’s in information technology is available both online and on-campus in the evenings, catering to the demands of working students. Each year, there are six start dates: January, March, May, July, August, and October.

Optional courses in cybersecurity, web development, and general information technology are available in the 120-credit program. Project management, networking infrastructure, and discrete mathematics are among the essential core courses that all candidates must finish. It is necessary to complete a senior capstone project.

Regis University has one of the most generous transfer policies in the country, allowing students to utilize up to 87 prior credits toward their bachelor’s degree in information technology.

Applying to Regis University

Regis invites new students to its IT program continually. A high school diploma or equivalent is required, as well as a CV, a personal statement, and official transcripts from previous schools.

A Quick Overview of the Program

  • Private school type
  • HLC, ABET accreditation
  • Tuition is $555 per credit.
  • 120 credits are required.
  • Duration of the program: 4 years
  • Format of delivery: 100% online or on-campus

What the Best Information Technology Programs Have in Common?

For each student, the college experience is unique. Many top colleges, however, share comparable traits in terms of academics, reputation, and affordability.

They are accredited.

  • Accreditation is a formal assurance that a school or a specific program meets particular educational standards. Schools must voluntarily submit to periodical inspections by third-party authorities and organizations to receive accreditation. Academic content, teacher qualifications, and the availability of student services are all aspects that accreditors consider. Top programmatic and regional accrediting agencies for an online IT degree include:
  • Engineering and Technology Accreditation Board (ABET)
  • The Commission on Higher Education (HLC)
  • Higher Education Commission of the Middle States (MSCHE)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is a non-profit organization that promotes higher education in the (NWCCU)
  • Senior Colleges and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WSCUC)
  • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC)

They represent academic excellence.

Academic excellence refers to colleges and universities that have a track record of high performance, interdisciplinary possibilities, relevant instruction, and outstanding professors. Top schools have a high percentage of full-time faculty teaching courses and have high retention and graduation rates. Graduates from these schools also have a high rate of job success. After finishing the online IT program at Colorado State University-Global Campus, for example, alumni report an average pay rise of 15% each year.

They have a good reputation.

In the case of online degrees, a school’s reputation can be determined by how much money it invests in its distant learning choices. The top online institutions have huge online catalogs and have been committed to remote education for a long time. In 1985, Liberty University began offering VHS-based correspondence courses. Liberty now has approximately 70,000 online students enrolled in 450 different programs.

They are reasonably priced.

One of the most essential and widespread concerns among prospective college students is affordability. Top colleges usually have a good return on investment since they have low tuition rates and extensive financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants. Students at affordable online institutions like New Mexico State University and King University often pay the same tuition regardless of where they live.

What to Expect From Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Information Technology?

The requirements for an IT bachelor’s degree differ depending on the school and degree type. ABA in computer science, for example, may have different fundamental requirements than a BS in IT. Some schools also offer a bachelor of business administration (BBA) with a focus on information technology.

The majority of bachelor’s degrees in computer technology require four years of full-time study, while some programs may provide accelerated options. Some colleges allow students to use transfer credits earned via life or job experience to help them graduate sooner.

A bachelor’s degree in information technology usually requires 120-semester credits of coursework. Many programs end with a capstone course that normally requires students to propose and implement an IT innovation or business model. Some of the best IT degrees also urge students to do an internship or go on a field trip. Many degree programs allow students to acquire a BS while also earning industry certifications.

Students in online IT degrees can choose between two ways of course delivery: synchronous, in which students have established class schedules and live video sessions that imitate in-person classes, and asynchronous, in which students watch lectures and do assignments on a more flexible schedule. There are few, if any, in-person requirements for most online IT degrees.

Admissions Criteria

Even though admissions requirements differ in every school, there are some commonalities among them. Some IT bachelor’s programs accept students with no prior college coursework, while others demand at least some prior college coursework, such as an associate degree. Instead of an associate degree, some colleges require students to satisfy specified prerequisites in areas such as precalculus and computer programming.

Applicants to these programs must have a minimum GPA of 2.0-2.5 in prior college coursework in science, math, engineering, or computer science. For applicants who have recently graduated from high school, schools may demand SAT or ACT results. Supplementary resources, such as a personal statement or letters of recommendation, are required for some programs.

Comparing Different Degree Types

Information technology degrees are available from a variety of schools, each with its own focus and nomenclature. The bachelor of science in information technology (BSIT) is the most prevalent, but BAs and BBAs with IT specializations are also offered. Some colleges classify BSITs and BS computer science programs together, while others classify them separately.

Programming, networking, cybersecurity, and database management are just a few of the major topics covered in BSITs. STEM and programming studies are frequently required prerequisites. Specializations in BSIT degrees include cybersecurity and information assurance.

BAs in information technology does not always have a liberal arts component. Soft skills for technological employment, such as communication, problem-solving, and analytics, are emphasized in IT bachelor’s degrees. BAs have more lenient general education requirements, making them ideal for individuals with prior IT experience. BBAs with concentrations in IT, IT management, or computer information systems are also available.

Popular Courses in Information Technology

Core, specialist, and elective courses are available in the best IT degrees. Foundational coursework, such as the examples below, is usually required, and the IT degree is usually completed with a capstone project. Network security, computer programming, data management, IT administration, and web development are just a few of the topics covered in an information technology degree. Optional coursework in common industry certifications, such as Java programming or CompTIA, is available in some schools.

How Much Will a Bachelor’s in IT Cost?

The cost of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in information technology is influenced by a variety of factors. Learners may expect costs to vary depending on whether a school is public or private, as well as if in-state and out-of-state students are charged different fees. Online students may benefit from distant learning because schools may charge reduced or in-state tuition for online courses.

To obtain a bachelor’s degree in information technology, the majority of college students require financial aid. Scholarships, work-study, and employer reimbursement programs are some of the ways that schools provide financial aid. Scholarships, grants, and loans are the most common types of financial assistance. The FAFSA is used by students to determine their eligibility for federal and other forms of financial aid. Prospective students should first pursue scholarship and grant possibilities, which do not demand payback, before pursuing loans, which do.

Jobs for Bachelor’s in Information Technology Graduates

Graduates of an IT bachelor’s program can expect to earn a lot of money in high-demand jobs. The following careers only require a bachelor’s degree, although graduates with an IT master’s or MBA can move to positions such as CTO or IT manager.

Computer Programmer

Code is written and tested by computer programmers. Computer programmers and software developers have overlapping responsibilities in some circumstances. Programmers can specialize in one or more computer languages, such as Python or Ruby, or in a specific sector, such as accounting or healthcare. The majority of professionals have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology.

  • Bachelor’s degree is required for this position.
  • Job Prospects (2019-2029): -9%
  • Annual Median Salary: $86,550

Analyst for Computer Systems

These specialists, often known as systems architects, assist businesses in streamlining their computer systems and operations. They evaluate existing computer systems and provide ways to improve efficiency. Many computer systems analysts have a bachelor’s degree in IT or liberal arts with management experience, as the position requires a combination of business and IT skills.

  • Bachelor’s degree is required for this position.
  • Job Prospects (2019-2029): 7%
  • $90,920 is the median annual salary.

The administrator of a database

Database administrators (DBAs) use specialist software to collect and arrange digital data. System (generic) or application (specific) services are frequently specialized by DBAs. DBAs with specialized skills work in industries such as retail, healthcare, and transportation. The majority of DBAs have a bachelor’s degree in information technology or a related profession.

  • Bachelor’s degree is required for this position.
  • Job Prospects (2019-2029): 10%
  • $93,750 is the median annual salary.

Computer Network Architect

Computer network architects design and build data communication networks such as intranets, LANs, and WANs. They could link two small enterprises via a local intranet or many branches of a multinational firm via a cloud-based network. A bachelor’s degree and 5-10 years of IT experience are required for most computer network architects.

  • Bachelor’s degree is required for this position.
  • Job Prospects (2019-2029): 5%
  • $112,690 is the median annual salary.

Analyst for Information Security

Computer networks and systems are protected against cyberattacks by information security experts. In the case of a security breach or an IT incident, they must establish and implement a disaster recovery strategy. Regularly transferring vital data to offshore locations and testing the functionality of data restoration procedures are among the responsibilities. A bachelor’s degree is required for analysts. It is preferable to have prior experience.

  • Bachelor’s degree is required for this position.
  • Job Prospects (2019-2029): 31%
  • $99,730 is the median annual salary.

Choosing the Right Information Technology Degree

Only approved online information technology degrees should be considered by students. Schools can be accredited on a regional or national level, with regional accreditation being the more stringent. A bachelor’s degree in information technology may also have programmatic certification from an organization like ABET. The following are some of the most important factors to consider when looking into online IT degrees.

Concentrations/Specializations

Students can choose a school that offers their desired concentration because IT degrees equip graduates for such a wide range of careers.

Materials Required for Admission

For entrance, many colleges need an associate’s degree and at least two years of work experience. Others may require results from standardized tests.

Staff Qualifications/Diversity

To attract students, IT programs frequently engage well-known professors and area experts. Look into which schools have professors who specialize in topics that are relevant to your job goals.

Teacher-to-Student Ratio

Faculty members can provide more individualized attention to students in schools with a lower student-to-teacher ratio.

Financial Assistance/Cost

To get the most out of your degree, see which colleges offer reduced or in-state tuition for online students.

Career Services/University Resources

The best online IT programs provide campus resources such as career services to their students. Some IT programs provide industry certificate programs to help students advance their careers.

Why You Should Get Your Bachelor’s in IT Online?

Information technology programs are particularly appealing to young professionals, as online learning continues to expand in popularity. A bachelor’s degree in information technology earned online can lead to high-paying jobs. Most schools allow distance learners to participate in extracurricular activities and use the same resources as traditional students.

A bachelor’s degree in information technology earned online develops computer abilities for a student’s future employment. Online IT degrees give a wide, core curriculum in topics like computer programming, web development, and digital communications, regardless of specialization.

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