Best Online IT Programs in California (2027)

Ordered by each program’s place in its national ranking. How we rank.

The Five Best Online IT Programs in California for 2027

1. No.1 #10of 31 in IT associate

   MTI College

   Information Technology, AS

   • Sacramento, CA
   • Private for-profit
   • Fully online
   • Associate

   California residents can attend this program from MTI College, in live online classes meeting twice weekly. A transfer partner network aligns the associate degree with bachelor's programs.

   The coursework includes IT.255 Data Visualization, SWD.140 Web Development, SWD.220 Software Project Management and CYB.250 Foundations of Cybersecurity. Quarters are 11 weeks, and graduation takes at least 96 credit hours. Credits from matching courses taken within the past decade can transfer after review. Students who take 6 or fewer credits pay per credit, while 7 to 12 credits fall under a flat quarterly tuition. Applicants complete an online interview and need no standardized test scores. The sample schedule spans eight quarters. Exams include CompTIA Network+ and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. SWD.150 covers Linux and the command line.

   Online tuition

   $2,440 per quarter (7+ credits)

   Credits

   96

   Graduation rate

   77%school-wide

   Median earnings

   $39,9701 year after

   Graduates in this field

   102023-24, all formats

   Accreditation

   ACCJCAccrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges

   Format

   Live classes, courses from 11 weeks

   Certifications included

   CompTIA A+ Core 1, CompTIA A+ Core 2, CompTIA Network+, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, LPI Linux Essentials

   Visit MTI College’s AS in Information Technology → Compare
2. No.2 #27of 57 in IT bachelor’s

   California Baptist University

   Computer Information Technology, BS

   • Riverside, CA
   • Private nonprofit
   • Fully online
   • Bachelor’s

   California Baptist University is in Riverside, and this Computer Information Technology degree is one it runs fully online. Courses are accelerated and asynchronous, classes start every 8 weeks, and three semesters a year let students move through faster. Most online programs there offer six entry points a year.

   The curriculum spans programming, databases, project management, computer security, plus internet and networking applications. One cloud computing course works in Microsoft Azure and AWS, and its content lines up with CompTIA's Cloud+ exam. Students also take a course on legal and ethical practice in IT. The university is a CompTIA academic partner, and one learning outcome is integrating faith and profession. Credits from earlier undergraduate study can be consolidated toward the degree.

   Online tuition

   $541 per credit

   Graduation rate

   62%school-wide

   Median earnings

   $55,0011 year after

   Graduates in this field

   142023-24, all formats

   Accreditation

   WSCUCWASC Senior College and University Commission

   Format

   Self-paced, courses from 8 weeks

   Starts

   Every 8 weeks

   Prepares for

   CompTIA certificates (incl. Cloud+ aligned course)

   Visit Cal Baptist’s BS in Computer IT → Compare
3. No.3 #38of 57 in IT bachelor’s

   University of Massachusetts Global

   BS in Information Technology

   • Aliso Viejo, CA
   • Public
   • Fully online
   • Bachelor’s

   UMass Global, based in Aliso Viejo, California, offers this IT bachelor's two ways. Instructor-led study is entirely online, with clear milestones, weekly deadlines and active faculty support, for students who thrive on routine. MyPath is self-paced, with no weekly assignment deadlines and no required class time, a set fee per six-month term, and progress by demonstrating mastery.

   Required classes span IT project management, information security, databases, operating systems and networking, and electives can follow your own professional interests. Individual courses include data encryption, TCP/IP networks on Microsoft Windows servers, and operating system administration. Current CompTIA, Cisco, Oracle or PMI certifications may qualify for course substitutions. Communication, teamwork and leadership skills round out the technical work.

   Online tuition

   $500 per credit$60,000 total for 120 credits

   Credits

   120

   Graduation rate

   43%school-wide

   Graduates in this field

   212023-24, all formats

   Accreditation

   WSCUCWASC Senior College and University Commission

   Starts

   Fall II, Spring I, Spring II, Summer I, Summer II, Fall I

   Visit UMass Global’s BS in Information Technology → Compare
4. No.4 #44of 57 in IT bachelor’s

   Ashford University

   Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

   • San Diego, CA
   • Private for-profit
   • Fully online
   • Bachelor’s

   Ashford University, in San Diego, California, takes a business-minded approach to this ABET-accredited IT bachelor's, mixing business, organizational, technical and interpersonal skills. Working adults take accelerated 5-week courses one at a time toward a 120-credit degree.

   Preparation covers networking, mobile and web applications, data management, and information assurance alongside project management. Courses include Operating Systems Theory and Design alongside Scrum Basics and Computer Networking, plus an IT capstone and a mobile application design and development course. Thirty credits must be upper-division, 18 from the major, and 30 completed in residency at the university. Approved credits from community colleges, prior college work, military service or job training may transfer, and electives can build an optional 9 to 12 credit emphasis.

   Online tuition

   $460 per credit$55,200 total for 120 credits

   Credits

   120

   Graduation rate

   11%school-wide

   Graduates in this field

   952023-24, all formats

   Accreditation

   WSCUC, ABETWASC Senior College and University Commission

   Format

   Courses from 5 weeks

   Prepares for

   CompTIA IT Fundamentals

   Visit Ashford’s BS in Information Technology → Compare
5. No.5 #32of 37 in IT master’s

   University of the People

   Information Technology, MS

   • Pasadena, CA
   • Private nonprofit
   • Fully online
   • Master’s

   California is the home state of University of the People, headquartered in Pasadena, and this master's is available 100% online. The curriculum has four components, so students shape their own path through the core electives and program electives.

   The 36 credit hours come from a dozen or more 3-credit courses, each 9 weeks in length. Terms start in September, November, January, April and June. Transfer credit is limited to 18, or 50 percent of the degree. The final course, MSIT 5910 Capstone, calls for an applied system design project, and a grade of B- or higher is required to pass. Foundations of HCI and Foundations of Cybersecurity are among the choices. Foundations of Software Engineering is another elective. Students bring IT, computer science and business ideas to bear on hard problems.

   Program cost

   $5,940the school’s estimated total

   Credits

   36

   Graduation rate

   34%school-wide

   Graduates in this field

   612023-24, all formats

   Format

   Courses from 9 weeks

   Transfer credits

   Up to 18

   Starts

   January, April, June, September, November

   Visit UoPeople’s MS in Information Technology → Compare

How Much an Online IT Degree Costs in California

Published online rates at schools based in California run from $460 to $541 per credit, using the in-state rate where a school charges residents less. For the two programs that publish both a rate and a credit total, the full degree costs a California resident $55,200 at the low end and $60,000 at the high end, against a national median of $41,760 across every ranked program. One program bills by the term or the course instead, so its total depends on how fast you move. Fees, transfer credit and rate changes move these totals, so check each school’s tuition page before you apply.

Online IT Bachelor's Degrees in California

Three bachelor's programs are based in California: the Computer Information Technology, BS at California Baptist University, the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at Ashford University and the BS in Information Technology at University of Massachusetts Global. Total tuition for a California resident runs from $55,200 (Ashford University) to $60,000 (University of Massachusetts Global), against a median of $59,580 for every bachelor's program in our rankings. Compare them with the national field in our online IT bachelor's degree rankings.

Online IT Master's Degrees in California

One master's program is based in California: the Information Technology, MS at University of the People. Compare them with the national field in our online IT master's degree rankings.

Online IT Associate Degrees in California

One associate program is based in California: the Information Technology, AS at MTI College. One program charges by the term or the course, so the total depends on your pace. Compare them with the national field in our online IT associate degree rankings.

Tuition Discounts for California Residents

Regional Tuition Exchanges for California Students

One exchange reaches California. Ask each school whether its online IT programs take part.

• Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE, run by WICHE): no more than 150% of the school’s resident tuition at participating public colleges. It covers undergraduate study.

Online IT Programs Near California

Arizona has two programs and Oregon has one program, and Nevada has none of its own.

• Arizona 2
• Oregon 1

California Programs in Our National Rankings

IT Jobs and Salaries in California

California’s best-paid IT role: IT managers, at $218,290; California’s lowest is $79,190, for network support specialists. California’s largest IT group: 94,720 IT managers.

Median and percentile pay and local employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, California statewide (Sources; BLS OEWS). Typical entry education: BLS Employment Projections. The range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

Against U.S. medians, the biggest California premium: web developers at $119,570 (+29%). Smallest edge in California: network support specialists, at $79,190 (+4%). 9 of 9 California roles out-earn the U.S. median.

Next in California: computer systems analysts (59,060 jobs, $127,720) and network and computer systems administrators (26,170 jobs, $106,440). In California, bachelor’s-level roles are 72% of IT jobs; California students can compare online IT bachelor’s degrees. Below a bachelor’s in California: help desk technicians (74,490 jobs, $79,570) and network support specialists (13,620 jobs, $79,190). For those California roles, see online IT associate degrees.

Network and systems administrators out-earn the country in California: $106,440 against a $99,130 national median.

IT Pay by Metro Area in California

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA pays network and systems administrators the most, at $133,360.

California IT Pay vs. Neighboring States

Network and computer systems administrators earn more in California than in any bordering state.

IT Job Concentration in California

IT work is spread out in California: even Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, the largest market, has only 25% of the jobs.

Employment and location quotients: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Cybersecurity Jobs in California

California’s labor market office projects the job to grow 29.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,400 openings a year.

Compare online cybersecurity degrees or read the security analyst salary guide.

Tech Jobs in California: The Industries Behind Them

Industry employment, establishments and payroll: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023. Average pay is annual payroll divided by employment.

IT Job Growth in California Through 2034

California’s labor market office projects information security analysts to grow fastest, by 29.1% from 2024 to 2034, and network and computer systems administrators to grow slowest, at -4.5%. Across the nine IT jobs below, it expects about 22,180 openings a year, from growth and from workers who retire or change fields. Nationally, the same job is projected to grow 28.5%.

State projections, 2024 to 2034: Projections Central, from California’s labor market information office. U.S. growth is the national projection on the same basis.

How to Choose an Online IT Program in California

The lowest resident total in California is $55,200, at Ashford University. Largest IT occupation: 94,720 computer and information systems managers.

Our guide to choosing by state covers cost, residency, authorization and accreditation.

Online IT Programs in Other States

• Alaska
• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Maine
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Mississippi
• Montana
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Nevada
• New York
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Online IT Programs in California FAQ