The IT industry is constantly growing and evolving, and IT professionals are in high demand in the US and around the globe. IT careers offer exciting growth potential and those with a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology have a leg up over their competitors.
If you are considering doing online school to earn an IT degree, Top Online College is here to help you find the right program to fit your needs.
Information technology (IT) is using computers, networks, storage, infrastructure, physical devices, and processes to interact with all types of electronic data. IT careers often combine aspects of computer engineering and business.
An information technology bachelors degree teaches students how to tackle a variety of computer-related tasks, including system analysis, programming, development, security, and more. With this in-depth and valuable knowledge, students graduate from school and into a professional business environment.
Most IT employees spend their days working with different types of technology such as network drivers, routers, computer programs, and digital storage systems. With an information technology degree, you can expect to create or repair computer systems, maintain company networks, run system security analyses, design software, and troubleshoot daily system issues.
At TopOnlineCollege.com, we rank online programs in a variety of degree focuses. Below you will find our rankings for the best online information technology degrees.
Location: Online
Fastest time to graduation: 12 Months
Acceptance rate: 100%
Cost of attendance: $14,148.00 per year
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Location: Online (based in Colorado Springs, CO)
Graduation rate: 27%
Cost of attendance: $24,143.00 total (%tuition_2% per year or %tuition_3% per credit)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Location: Online (based in Phoenix, AZ)
Graduation rate: 28%
Cost of attendance: $19,282.00 total (%tuition_2% per year or %tuition_3% per credit)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
At TopOnlineCollege.com, we rank our online degree programs based on different factors, including:
All of our school rankings are unbiased. We aim to bring you simple, accurate information to help you make a decision about your online IT degree program.
If you already enjoy tinkering around with your computer, troubleshooting issues, or upgrading your operating system, a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology may be the right option for you. Many of these programs are offered fully online now, which is ideal for this type of degree. Aside from enjoying messing around on your computer, there are other reasons to consider pursuing an IT degree.
Almost every company in the world has an internal IT department to troubleshoot system issues, set up company programs, and more. Additionally, as information technology continues to evolve and advance, businesses are going to need knowledgeable IT professionals to keep their systems updated and running smoothly.
With a degree in information technology, you get specialized training and insight that many other people don’t know. Plus, after you’ve completed your IT degree, you’ll also have an easier time signing up for continuing education courses to keep your skills sharp and up-to-date.
Individuals with an information technology degree will earn more money overall, compared to people who learned IT skills on the job without a degree. If you want to work in the IT field, having your degree will get you further and help you earn more in the long run.
A degree in information technology can easily lead to other job prospects, including:
You can apply your degree skills to a variety of different positions, meaning there is always something new and exciting you can do with a degree in information technology.
An online IT degree program can be a big commitment, and it is important to choose the right school for your needs. As you are looking into each program and researching which schools you might be interested in, you should look at the following important information.
Any reputable college or university should have proper accreditation. Most schools have regional accreditation based on their location. It is important to research if a potential school is accredited to ensure that the degree you earn will be accepted and valid in the IT field.
Higher education can be expensive, and prices continue to rise all the time. As you are researching the right online information technology degree for your needs, consider tuition costs. If you are planning to pay for your school as you go, focus on online programs that have low tuition costs. If you will need to get financial aid to finance your IT degree, make sure any school you are looking at offers these options.
With online degree programs, location seems to be a moot point. However, some programs offer hybrid courses, meaning you split time between online and in-person classes. Additionally, there are schools that do not differentiate tuition costs between online and out-of-state students. Since out-of-state students always pay more tuition, you want to make sure any online IT program you are considering has an online tuition option so you aren’t charged more simply for living out of state.
As with most bachelor’s degrees, an online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology typically takes four years to complete. However, there are a few accelerated programs that help you get your degree in as few as 30 months — two and a half years. If it is important to you that you complete your online IT degree quickly, look for shorter or accelerated programs that get you your degree faster.
An IT degree gives you the knowledge and skills you need to work in more IT roles. But there are also some specific industries that an IT program could focus on, including programming, technology, and computer science. If you want to earn a bachelor’s degree with a specific IT emphasis, make sure you are looking for that as you research online IT degree programs.
Technology is a vital part of our daily lives and many people wonder what is involved with entering this career field. The best place to start is by getting an IT degree, which helps you get better starting positions, earn more income, and enjoy more career opportunities in the future.
Here are some frequently asked questions that we get about earning an online information technology degree.
Since a bachelor’s of information technology is a four-year degree, there are going to be more class requirements compared to shorter programs or certificates. Introductory courses include:
In addition to these introductory courses, there are IT-specific concentrations that you may take as well.
Information technology deals with large amounts of data. In a data analytics specialization, students will be learning how to analyze and extract meaning for collected data.
Classes in web design and application teach students to design and build websites. This sometimes also includes monitoring websites, finding things that are wrong on the back end of the site, or discovering ways to increase website traffic.
We’re surrounded by smart technology in today’s world. These smart technologies include devices and systems that we use every day to make our lives easier. If you go into a smart technology concentration, you will likely be designing automated equipment, including machines that learn, adapt, and self-upgrade based on human interaction.
We hear about cyber attacks happening seemingly constantly, so this concentration helps students identify and prevent such security breaches. You will also learn security best practices, security implementation, and how to make sure your company is adhering to and upholding IT standards.
Information technology management helps students learn about IT budgets, strategies, security compliance, and more. You will also learn more about building, implementing, and upholding a strategic IT plan for any company or organization.
An information technology degree opens up a wide variety of career options. You can use your degree for many jobs, including:
There are many career options available once you have a Bachelor of Information Technology degree that you should have no trouble finding a job in your desired field.
There are many factors that affect the salary for IT jobs, including where you live, the company you work for, and the job you are actually doing.
With these factors in mind, the salary range for IT jobs is between $45,000 and $120,000. Most IT professionals are earning an average of $82,000 a year.
Online colleges and universities are going to have different admission requirements for their IT programs. However, there are a few standard items that are part of almost every admission process.
Most online programs have a lower GPA requirement of 2.0, but some require a 3.0 GPA. This is an important consideration when choosing which online programs to apply for.
ACT (American College Test) and SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) exams are entrance tests that give colleges and universities standardized test scores to determine what you know. It used to be that students would take the SAT if they were considering east or west coast colleges and the ACT for midwest and southern colleges. However, it is becoming increasingly popular for students to take both tests and submit them together to their preferred schools.
As you prepare to submit your application to an online IT program, check out your school’s minimum score requirements as well as its preferred test.
If you are considering attending an accelerated online IT degree, your program may offer course credits for any relevant work experience you have in the IT field. This option is usually for working professionals who are returning to school to earn their IT degrees. To submit your work experience, you should provide a detailed work history as a resume or a CV.
Often, online IT programs will require recommendation letters as part of their admission requirements. These letters should come from current or former employers or academic advisors, people who have knowledge of your skills, accomplishments, work ethic, and desire to grow and learn.
Personal essays or statements are common admission requirements, regardless of the school or program. The purpose of this information is to give you the opportunity to let a school know more about you. There is some common information that schools ask for in an essay or statement, including:
Additionally, some schools may ask prospective students to write an essay response to a general prompt while other schools ask for short essay-like answers to a variety of questions. Ensure you know which option a school requires before you submit your admission application.
The cost of earning an IT degree online varies based on different factors, including the school you choose, in-state vs out-of-state tuition, and program emphasis. On average, in-state students can expect to pay between $18,000 to $68,000 for their online IT degree. Out-of-state students typically pay between $68,000 and $82,000 for their online IT degree.
A typical online information technology degree takes four years to complete. However, there are some accelerated programs that only take two and a half years to finish.
Earning an online information technology degree helps prepare you for the exciting, evolving world of computers and technology. Use the information above to rank your own online program options or take a deeper dive into the schools that TopOnlineCollege.com has listed above. Technology isn’t slowing down and with an IT degree, you’ll make a difference in helping businesses, companies, and corporations stay up-to-date with this vital, thriving industry.
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