Online ITPrograms
2027 City Guide
Best Online IT Programs in Chicago (2027)
Online IT programs in Chicago start with three degrees at three local schools: two bachelor's degrees and one master's degree. Chicago's largest tracked IT jobs are IT managers (24,950), help desk technicians (19,680) and computer systems analysts (14,660).
- 3local programs
- $103,170network and computer systems administrator median
- 131,320computer jobs
Key Points
- Information Technology BA at Loyola University Chicago leads the Chicago list (#4 of 57 nationally).
- Chicago runs heavy in IT managers (1.28x), network support specialists (1.12x) and network architects (1.04x the U.S. share).
- Chicago has 3,480 security analysts earning $125,310, at 0.63 times the U.S. share.
- Chicago holds 72% of Illinois's computer jobs.
- A full Chicago degree starts at $168,576 (DePaul University).
The Best Online IT Programs in Chicago
Ordered by national standing, Chicago’s three programs sit in Chicago.
Each card’s badge is its place in our national ranking. How we rank.
-
Loyola University Chicago
Information Technology BA
Web developers earn $96,870 in Chicago. Graduates report $68,950 after a year.
- Online tuition
- $860 per credit
- Graduation rate
- 73%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $68,9501 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 112023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
- Format
- Courses from 8 weeks
- Transfer credits
- Up to 18
- Starts
- Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Summer
-
Illinois Institute of Technology
Information Technology and Management, MAS
It leads toward Chicago's 24,950 IT managers. A CAE-CD school.
- Credits
- 30
- Graduation rate
- 75%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $85,9751 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 1212023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
-
DePaul University
BS in Information Technology
One rate for everyone: $168,576. Web developers earn $96,870 in Chicago. A CAE-CD school.
- Online tuition
- $878 per credit$168,576 total for 192 credits
- Credits
- 192quarter credits
- Graduation rate
- 68%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $58,2201 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 452023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has three of Illinois’s three ranked programs.
See every online IT program in Illinois, plus the state’s job projections, led by security analysts at 20.6% through 2034.
Chicago Programs in Our National Rankings
In the CAE-CD Schools ranking, Information Technology and Management, MAS at Illinois Institute of Technology places 4th of 66, Chicago’s best national result.
| Program | National ranking | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Information Technology and Management, MAS, Illinois Institute of Technology | CAE-CD Schools | 4th of 66 |
| Information Technology BA, Loyola University Chicago | Bachelor's in IT | 4th of 57 |
| Information Technology BA, Loyola University Chicago | CAE-CD Schools | 12th of 66 |
| Information Technology and Management, MAS, Illinois Institute of Technology | Master's in IT | 7th of 37 |
| BS in Information Technology, DePaul University | Bachelor's in IT | 21st of 57 |
| BS in Information Technology, DePaul University | CAE-CD Schools | 48th of 66 |
| BS in Information Technology, DePaul University | Cheapest | 34th of 35 |
What an Online IT Degree Costs Chicago Students
The one Chicago total on record is $168,576, for DePaul University.
| Program | Rate per credit | Credits | Total for residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Technology BA, Loyola University Chicago | $860 | ||
| BS in Information Technology, DePaul University | $878 | 192 | $168,576 |
Totals are the published rate times the published credits, before fees and transfer credit. Our cheapest online IT degrees ranking compares programs that charge everyone one rate.
IT Jobs and Salaries in Chicago
Chicago’s best-paid IT role: IT managers, at $173,760; Chicago’s lowest is $60,730, for help desk technicians. Chicago’s largest IT group: 24,950 IT managers.
| Role | Median pay | vs Illinois | Typical range | Jobs | Entry education | Salary guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT Manager | $173,760 | +1% | $112,980 to $280,060 | 24,950 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Engineer | $143,800 | +8% | $95,930 to $205,340 | 5,400 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Information Security Analyst | $125,310 | +1% | $79,460 to $174,450 | 3,480 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Database Administrator | $109,680 | +5% | $60,150 to $164,050 | 1,870 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,490 | +2% | $61,860 to $151,490 | 14,660 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $103,170 | +3% | $68,990 to $162,290 | 6,950 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Web Developer | $96,870 | +14% | $72,790 to $134,330 | 2,790 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Support Specialist | $73,340 | +7% | $49,670 to $109,880 | 4,740 | Associate's degree | Salary guide |
| Help Desk Technician | $60,730 | +1% | $42,200 to $98,590 | 19,680 | Some college, no degree | Salary guide |
Median and percentile pay and local employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area (Sources; BLS OEWS). Typical entry education: BLS Employment Projections. The range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Against Illinois medians, the biggest Chicago premium: web developers at $96,870 (+14%). Smallest edge in Chicago: help desk technicians, at $60,730 (+1%). 9 of 9 Chicago roles out-earn the Illinois median.
Next in Chicago: computer systems analysts (14,660 jobs, $103,490) and network and computer systems administrators (6,950 jobs, $103,170). In Chicago, bachelor’s-level roles are 71% of IT jobs; Chicago students can compare online IT bachelor’s degrees. Below a bachelor’s in Chicago: help desk technicians (19,680 jobs, $60,730) and network support specialists (4,740 jobs, $73,340). For those Chicago roles, see online IT associate degrees.
In Chicago, help desk to IT manager means $60,730 to $173,760, or 2.9 times the pay. Chicago network and systems administrators earn $103,170, 4% above the $99,130 U.S. median. Chicago's widest pay spread: IT managers, $112,980 to $280,060.
Price level: BEA, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area (MARPP), all items, 2024; 100 is the U.S. average.
IT Job Concentration in Chicago
Cybersecurity Jobs in Chicago
Compare online cybersecurity degrees or read the security analyst salary guide.
Tech Jobs in Chicago: The Industries Behind Them
Chicago's information sector averages $129,913 a job across 101,094 workers.
Industry employment, establishments and payroll: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023, by metropolitan area. Average pay is annual payroll divided by employment.
How to Choose an Online IT Program in Chicago
Chicago’s largest IT group is IT managers.
Our guide to choosing by city covers cost, residency, authorization and accreditation.
Online IT Programs in Other Cities
Online IT Programs in Chicago FAQ
How many online IT programs are in Chicago?
Three programs at three schools in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area, in Chicago: two bachelor's degrees and one master's degree. All are at private schools.
What is the cheapest online IT program in Chicago?
Among Chicago programs that publish a rate and a credit total, the lowest is $168,576 for the BS in Information Technology at DePaul University.
Is there consulting or contract IT work in Chicago?
Chicago computer systems design firms employ 70,994 people at 5,425 locations, averaging $127,636.
How many IT jobs are there in Chicago?
Chicago ranks 8th among U.S. metros for computer jobs, with 131,320.
Which IT jobs are scarce in Chicago?
Chicago is lightest on information security analysts (0.63x) and network and systems administrators (0.76x the U.S. share).
Keep researching
Related Rankings and Guides
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state and metropolitan area estimates
- NCES IPEDS institutional directory (HD2024), metro area of each school’s main campus
- BEA, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area (MARPP), all items, 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023, by metropolitan area
- Projections Central, long-term occupational projections by state (base year 2024, projected to 2034), produced by state labor market information offices
- Program pages for each program listed above, linked from its card