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2027 State Guide

Best Online IT Programs in North Carolina (2027)

Online IT programs in North Carolina start with ten degrees at nine schools based here: three bachelor's degrees, one master's degree and six associate degrees. North Carolina's largest tracked IT jobs are IT managers (25,650), help desk technicians (23,100) and computer systems analysts (20,910).

Founder & Editor · B.S. in Computer Science, Temple UniversityUpdated

  • 10online programs
  • $95,230network and computer systems administrator median
  • 195,720computer jobs

Key Points

  • Isothermal Community College's Information Technology, AAS ranks first in North Carolina and places #8 of 31 in our national IT associate ranking.
  • Total tuition for a North Carolina resident starts at $4,940 and runs to $22,200.
  • Four public programs charge residents less, saving up to $72,411 over the degree.
  • North Carolina runs heavy in information security analysts (1.43x), network and systems administrators (1.39x) and network support specialists (1.31x the U.S. share).
  • North Carolina has 195,720 people working in computer occupations, at a $107,600 median.

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

The Ten Best Online IT Programs in North Carolina for 2027

  1. No.1 #8of 31 in IT associate

    Isothermal Community College

    Information Technology, AAS

    • Spindale, NC
    • Public
    • Fully online
    • Associate

    Spindale's Isothermal Community College teaches this AAS with a security and systems slant in its sample courses: SEC-210 Intrusion Detection, SEC-160 Security Administration I, SEC-110 Security Concepts and NOS-120 Linux Single User. Each student selects an area of study, so the exact mix could be information security, programming and software development, network systems, interactive media or information support. The curriculum totals 65 credits.

    Entry-level work at companies, school systems and government agencies is the target, in roles such as support technician, tester, designer, programmer, developer and system administrator. Coursework follows what industry-recognized certification exams test. The college also runs a cybersecurity degree for students who want that focus from the start.

    Online tuition
    $268 per credit$76 in state · $17,420 total for 65 credits
    Credits
    65
    Graduation rate
    55%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    142023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOCSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Prepares for
    industry-recognized certification exams (none named)
    Visit Isothermal CC’s AAS in Information Technology Compare
  2. No.2 #11of 31 in IT associate

    Blue Ridge Community College

    Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology

    • Flat Rock, NC
    • Public
    • Fully online
    • Associate

    A fully online option exists for Blue Ridge Community College's applied science degree in information technology in Flat Rock. Network Management and Computer Programming and Development are two of the five pathways, alongside Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Support and Services.

    Support and Services starts with CTI-110 Information Technology Foundations and runs through CTS-115 Information Systems Business Concepts and WBL-111 Work-Based Learning I. Credits range from 65 to 66 by pathway. Classes come in 16-week and 8-week formats, and the Artificial Intelligence pathway is the exception to the online option. Online students are expected to participate at least four days each week.

    Online tuition
    $268 per credit$76 in state
    Graduation rate
    50%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    92023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOC, CAE-CD schoolSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Visit Blue Ridge CC’s AAS in Information Technology Compare
  3. No.3 #23of 57 in IT bachelor’s

    North Carolina A & T State University

    Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

    • Greensboro, NC
    • Public
    • Fully online
    • Bachelor’s

    North Carolina residents get a specific tuition structure for the online version of this degree. Online undergraduate tuition is charged per credit hour at a North Carolina rate for continuing and incoming students, with a per-credit educational and technology fee added. The online rates are meant for students enrolled only in distance education courses.

    The program is at A&T in Greensboro and covers 120 credit hours across eight semesters. You'll take Computer Database Management I and II, Linux Systems Administration and a two-part Senior Project capstone. Partnering community colleges in the state have 2+2 agreements for transfer.

    Online tuition
    $755.34 per credit$151.92 in state · $90,641 total for 120 credits
    Credits
    120
    Graduation rate
    57%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    802023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOC, ABET, CAE-CD schoolSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Visit NC A&T’s BS in Information Technology Compare
  4. No.4 #13of 31 in IT associate

    Wayne Community College

    IT Support and Services, AAS

    • Goldsboro, NC
    • Public
    • Fully online
    • Associate

    This is a North Carolina community college degree, taught from Goldsboro and available online. Wayne Community College registers the program as A25590I with the state's community college system, and it runs five semesters totaling 65 to 66 credit hours.

    You begin with IT Foundations and Introduction to Networks, then move through Hardware/Software Support, Database Concepts, Linux and Windows. The final stretch is a System Support Project, preceded by Project Management. Certification exam competencies are built in, among them CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 plus the Microsoft Office Specialist exams in Excel and Access. A student who stays in the state can carry the credits to East Carolina University, which takes the associate degree toward its Industrial Technology bachelor's. Class size runs 15 to 20.

    Online tuition
    $268 per credit$76 in state
    Graduation rate
    49%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    242023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOC, CAE-CD schoolSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Visit Wayne CC’s AAS in IT Support and Services Compare
  5. No.5 #24of 57 in IT bachelor’s

    Strayer University-North Carolina

    Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

    • Greensboro, NC
    • Private for-profit
    • Fully online
    • Bachelor’s

    The skills list reads like a job description: apply security best practices, manage information technology and systems, communicate technical information, and build technology solutions to organizational problems. Those are the abilities this Strayer bachelor's in information technology aims to develop, with a campus in Greensboro, North Carolina.

    Forty courses of 11 weeks each make up the degree, which totals 180 credits. Students begin with a general IT foundation, then specialize in one of eight areas, from cloud computing and data management to networking and software development. Online options are offered, up to 28 classes can transfer, and no-cost general education courses are open to eligible students. Anyone who is undecided about a concentration can work it through with an admissions officer.

    Credits
    180
    Graduation rate
    33%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $71,1671 year after
    Graduates in this field
    72023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    MSCHEMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
    Format
    Courses from 11 weeks
    Starts
    January
    Visit Strayer’s BS in Information Technology Compare
  6. No.6 #14of 31 in IT associate

    Vance-Granville Community College

    Information Technology, AAS

    • Henderson, NC
    • Public
    • Fully online
    • Associate

    Henderson is home to Vance-Granville Community College, and its Information Technology AAS can be finished without a commute, since it runs 100% online. The same course sequence also feeds smaller credentials. An 18-credit certificate in Cyber Security, Network Support, IT Support or Programming gets you started, and a 36-credit diploma sits in between.

    Courses in the full degree include Network & Security Foundations, Hardware/Software Support, Info Sys Business Concepts, Operating Systems Concepts and Cloud & Storage. A capstone project or a work-based learning course closes the plan. Continuing education courses can earn credit for prior learning toward the curriculum course. That credit counts toward graduation at VGCC but may not transfer to other colleges or universities, so check before you plan a move to a university.

    Online tuition
    $268 per credit$76 in state
    Graduation rate
    53%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    142023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOCSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Visit Vance-Granville CC’s AAS in Information Technology Compare
  7. No.7 #19of 31 in IT associate

    Richmond Community College

    Information Technology, AAS

    • Hamlet, NC
    • Public
    • Fully online
    • Associate

    In Hamlet, Richmond Community College teaches this program under the state community college system's A25590 curriculum. The three pathways carry their own codes: A25590A for Cyber Security, A25590B for IT Support and A25590C for Software and Web Development.

    North Carolina residents pay the in-state tuition rate, which the college prices per credit hour. A first-year spring in the Software and Web Development track covers CSC-151 JAVA Programming, CTS-115 Information Systems Business Concepts and NET-125 Introduction to Networks. Every pathway counts 64 to 65 credit hours and can be taken online. Students who later transfer to Western Governors University under the college's articulation agreement receive a 5% tuition discount for up to four academic terms, which keeps a bachelor's within reach without leaving the state community college route first.

    Online tuition
    $268 per credit$76 in state
    Graduation rate
    46%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    92023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOC, CAE-CD schoolSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Prepares for
    CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+
    Visit Richmond CC’s AAS in Information Technology Compare
  8. No.8 #20of 31 in IT associate

    Beaufort County Community College

    Information Technology-BSIT, Associate in Applied Science

    • Washington, NC
    • Public
    • Fully online
    • Associate

    This Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology is taught online from Washington, North Carolina, where Beaufort County Community College is a public two-year school accredited by the regional body SACSCC. Fully online IT certificates at the college include Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Programming, and Networking Support.

    Online tuition
    $268 per credit$76 in state
    Graduation rate
    48%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    122023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOCSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Visit Beaufort County CC’s AAS in Information Technology Compare
  9. No.9 #35of 57 in IT bachelor’s

    North Carolina Central University

    Information Technology, BS

    • Durham, NC
    • Public
    • Fully online
    • Bachelor’s

    Returning adult learners are the audience for this North Carolina Central University IT degree, a Flight Path Program based in Durham. Online delivery, several start dates a year and condensed courses mean you focus on fewer classes at a time.

    A transfer of at least 24 credit hours is required, and more transfer credit can shrink what remains of the 120 hours. The balance is 36 hours of general education, 27 of information technology and 32 to 36 of core business courses, depending on your concentration: Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, or Information and Communications Technology. Systems analysis and database management join project management and business programming as skill areas. Coursework helps prepare you for CCNA, CAPM, PMP and CompTIA's Security+, A+ and Network+.

    Online tuition
    $727.67 per credit$185 in state · $87,320 total for 120 credits
    Credits
    120
    Graduation rate
    42%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $74,5971 year after
    Graduates in this field
    202023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOC, CAE-CD schoolSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Prepares for
    CAPM, PMP, CompTIA Security+, A+, Network+, CCNA
    Visit NC Central’s BS in Information Technology Compare
  10. No.10 #36of 37 in IT master’s

    North Carolina A & T State University

    M.S. in Information Technology

    • Greensboro, NC
    • Public
    • Fully online
    • Master’s

    North Carolina A&T State University, in Greensboro, offers its Master of Science in Information Technology online as well as on campus. This public university program totals 30 credits, with nine in foundation courses, and the degree can be completed by a thesis route or a coursework route.

    The subject matter is broad, from wireless communication and low-power design to data mining and high-performance computing, with networking and database management in the mix. Course titles in the catalog include Networking Security Applications, Wireless Communication Systems and Advanced Big Data Analytics, as well as Knowledge Discovery in Databases. Required classes cover project management, statistical methods and technical writing for IT professionals. Admission calls for a related undergraduate degree from an accredited institution and a 3.0 average on a 4.0 scale. Graduate work from elsewhere can transfer in, to a limit of twelve semester hours.

    Online tuition
    $1,035.45 per credit$303 in state · $31,064 total for 30 credits
    Credits
    30
    Graduation rate
    57%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $73,6951 year after
    Graduates in this field
    452023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOC, CAE-CD schoolSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Transfer credits
    Up to 12
    Visit NC A&T’s MS in Information Technology Compare

How Much an Online IT Degree Costs in North Carolina

Published online rates at schools based in North Carolina run from $76 to $303 per credit, using the in-state rate where a school charges residents less. For the four programs that publish both a rate and a credit total, the full degree costs a North Carolina resident $4,940 at the low end and $22,200 at the high end, against a national median of $41,760 across every ranked program. 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 North Carolina

Three bachelor's programs are based in North Carolina: the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at North Carolina A & T State University, the Information Technology, BS at North Carolina Central University and the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at Strayer University-North Carolina. Total tuition for a North Carolina resident runs from $18,230 (North Carolina A & T State University) to $22,200 (North Carolina Central University), 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 North Carolina

One master's program is based in North Carolina: the M.S. in Information Technology at North Carolina A & T State University. Its total tuition for a North Carolina resident is $9,090, against a median of $23,115 for every master's program in our rankings. Compare them with the national field in our online IT master's degree rankings.

Online IT Associate Degrees in North Carolina

Six associate programs are based in North Carolina: the Information Technology-BSIT, Associate in Applied Science at Beaufort County Community College, the Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology at Blue Ridge Community College, the Information Technology, AAS at Isothermal Community College, the Information Technology, AAS at Richmond Community College, the Information Technology, AAS at Vance-Granville Community College and the IT Support and Services, AAS at Wayne Community College. Its total tuition for a North Carolina resident is $4,940, against a median of $21,269 for every associate program in our rankings. Compare them with the national field in our online IT associate degree rankings.

Tuition Discounts for North Carolina Residents

In-State Online Tuition in North Carolina

Nine public programs based in North Carolina charge online students who live in North Carolina less per credit than students from other states. The biggest gap is in the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at North Carolina A & T State University: $18,230 in total for a North Carolina resident against $90,641 for everyone else, a difference of $72,411. The Information Technology, BS at North Carolina Central University saves a resident $65,120. The M.S. in Information Technology at North Carolina A & T State University saves a resident $21,974. How schools decide who counts as a resident.

Online IT Programs Near North Carolina

Virginia has ten programs, Georgia has four programs, Tennessee has four programs and South Carolina has one program.

North Carolina Programs in Our National Rankings

ProgramNational rankingPlace
M.S. in Information Technology, North Carolina A & T State UniversityNetworking1st of 17
Information Technology, AAS, Isothermal Community CollegeAssociate in IT8th of 31
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, North Carolina A & T State UniversityABET-Accredited9th of 12
Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology, Blue Ridge Community CollegeAssociate in IT11th of 31
Information Technology, AAS, Isothermal Community CollegeWith Certifications11th of 43
IT Support and Services, AAS, Wayne Community CollegeAssociate in IT13th of 31
Information Technology, AAS, Vance-Granville Community CollegeAssociate in IT14th of 31
Information Technology, AAS, Richmond Community CollegeAssociate in IT19th of 31
Information Technology-BSIT, Associate in Applied Science, Beaufort County Community CollegeAssociate in IT20th of 31
M.S. in Information Technology, North Carolina A & T State UniversityAffordable Master's22nd of 22
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, North Carolina A & T State UniversityBachelor's in IT23rd of 57
Information Technology, AAS, Richmond Community CollegeWith Certifications23rd of 43
M.S. in Information Technology, North Carolina A & T State UniversityCAE-CD Schools26th of 66
Information Technology, BS, North Carolina Central UniversityCheapest31st of 35
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, North Carolina A & T State UniversityCheapest32nd of 35
Information Technology, BS, North Carolina Central UniversityWith Certifications34th of 43
Information Technology, BS, North Carolina Central UniversityBachelor's in IT35th of 57
M.S. in Information Technology, North Carolina A & T State UniversityMaster's in IT36th of 37
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, North Carolina A & T State UniversityCAE-CD Schools37th of 66
Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology, Blue Ridge Community CollegeCAE-CD Schools38th of 66
IT Support and Services, AAS, Wayne Community CollegeCAE-CD Schools42nd of 66
Information Technology, AAS, Richmond Community CollegeCAE-CD Schools45th of 66
Information Technology, BS, North Carolina Central UniversityCAE-CD Schools62nd of 66

IT Jobs and Salaries in North Carolina

North Carolina’s best-paid IT role: IT managers, at $172,860; North Carolina’s lowest is $60,120, for help desk technicians. North Carolina’s largest IT group: 25,650 IT managers.

RoleMedian payvs U.S.Typical rangeJobsEntry educationSalary guide
IT Manager$172,860−1%$108,280 to $287,84025,650Bachelor's degreeSalary guide
Information Security Analyst$131,540+2%$77,150 to $173,6708,670Bachelor's degreeSalary guide
Network Engineer$127,320−5%$79,120 to $173,4108,350Bachelor's degreeSalary guide
Database Administrator$113,900+9%$62,430 to $160,1601,920Bachelor's degreeSalary guide
Computer Systems Analyst$106,850+1%$73,190 to $166,66020,910Bachelor's degreeSalary guide
Web Developer$96,610+4%$54,450 to $140,5502,030Bachelor's degreeSalary guide
Network and Computer Systems Administrator$95,230−4%$50,680 to $149,65013,850Bachelor's degreeSalary guide
Help Desk Technician$60,120−3%$38,270 to $97,21023,100Some college, no degreeSalary guide

Median and percentile pay and local employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, North Carolina 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 North Carolina premium: database administrators at $113,900 (+9%). Weakest in North Carolina: network engineers, at $127,320 (−5%). 4 of 8 North Carolina roles out-earn the U.S. median.

Next in North Carolina: computer systems analysts (20,910 jobs, $106,850) and network and computer systems administrators (13,850 jobs, $95,230). In North Carolina, bachelor’s-level roles are 78% of IT jobs; North Carolina students can compare online IT bachelor’s degrees. Below a bachelor’s in North Carolina: help desk technicians (23,100 jobs, $60,120). For those North Carolina roles, see online IT associate degrees.

IT Pay by Metro Area in North Carolina

Durham-Chapel Hill, NC pays network and systems administrators the most, at $110,640.

Metro areaComputer jobsNetwork and computer systems administrator medianSecurity analyst medianHelp desk median
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC62,140$89,990$131,440$60,220
Raleigh-Cary, NC43,780$103,380$143,640$62,460
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC25,070$110,640$129,670$71,750
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC24,800$98,640$126,030$59,650
Greensboro-High Point, NC7,590$88,580$103,960$55,440
Winston-Salem, NC5,660$94,550$129,980$59,000
Wilmington, NC3,890$99,060$145,170$61,240
Asheville, NC3,330$95,230$149,350$58,640

North Carolina IT Pay vs. Neighboring States

Virginia and Georgia pay network and computer systems administrators more than North Carolina; South Carolina and Tennessee pay less.

StateNetwork and computer systems administrator medianAll computer jobs medianComputer jobs
North Carolina$95,230$107,600195,720
Virginia$109,610$128,700248,190
Georgia$97,170$104,720170,620
South Carolina$92,520$96,30057,250
Tennessee$88,100$87,40082,790

IT Job Concentration in North Carolina

39.6 of every thousand jobs in North Carolina are in computer occupations, against 0.0 nationally. North Carolina is lightest on database administrators (0.86x) and web developers (0.91x the U.S. share).

IT jobPer thousand jobsVs. national share
IT Manager5.191.20×
Help Desk Technician4.671.01×
Computer Systems Analyst4.231.27×
Network and Computer Systems Administrator2.801.39×
Information Security Analyst1.751.43×
Network Engineer1.691.46×
Web Developer0.410.91×
Database Administrator0.390.86×

Employment and location quotients: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Cybersecurity Jobs in North Carolina

North Carolina’s labor market office projects the job to grow 27.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 580 openings a year.

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

Tech Jobs in North Carolina: 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 North Carolina Through 2034

North Carolina’s labor market office projects information security analysts to grow fastest, by 27.7% from 2024 to 2034, and computer user support specialists to grow slowest, at -2.8%. Across the eight IT jobs below, it expects about 6,700 openings a year, from growth and from workers who retire or change fields. Nationally, the same job is projected to grow 28.5%.

IT job20242034GrowthOpenings a yearU.S. growth
Information Security Analyst6,6708,520+27.7%580+28.5%
IT Manager23,67027,260+15.2%1,970+15.2%
Network Engineer7,2008,060+11.9%450+11.9%
Computer Systems Analyst24,81027,150+9.4%1,650+8.7%
Web Developer2,1502,280+6.1%130+7.6%
Database Administrator2,0702,060-0.1%100-0.6%
Network Administrator and Systems Administrator12,51012,360-1.2%590-4.2%
Help Desk21,55020,950-2.8%1,230-3.7%

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

How to Choose an Online IT Program in North Carolina

The lowest resident total in North Carolina is $4,940, at Isothermal Community College. Largest IT occupation: 25,650 computer and information systems managers.

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

Online IT Programs in Other States

Online IT Programs in North Carolina FAQ

How many online IT programs are based in North Carolina?

Ten fully online IT programs, at nine schools: three bachelor's degrees, one master's degree and six associate degrees. Nine of them are at public schools.

What is the cheapest online IT program for North Carolina residents?

Among programs based in North Carolina with a published rate and credit total, the lowest for a North Carolina resident is $4,940, for the Information Technology, AAS at Isothermal Community College.

Do North Carolina students pay less in state?

At North Carolina A & T State University, a North Carolina resident pays $18,230 instead of $90,641.

Are there cybersecurity jobs in North Carolina?

Security analysts are overrepresented in North Carolina at 1.43 times the national share, earning $131,540.

Where are the IT jobs in North Carolina?

IT work is spread out in North Carolina: even Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, the largest market, has only 32% of the jobs.

Keep researching

Sources

  1. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state and metropolitan area estimates
  2. Projections Central, long-term occupational projections by state (base year 2024, projected to 2034), produced by state labor market information offices
  3. North Carolina labor market information office, long-term occupational projections
  4. BEA, Regional Price Parities by state (SARPP), all items, 2024
  5. U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023, by state
  6. NC-SARA, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
  7. Program pages for each North Carolina program ranked above, linked from its card