Online ITPrograms
2027 State Guide
Best Online IT Programs in Ohio (2027)
Online IT programs in Ohio start with seven degrees at five schools based here: five bachelor's degrees, one master's degree and one associate degree. IT work is spread out in Ohio: even Columbus, the largest market, has only 24% of the jobs.
- 7online programs
- $97,570network and computer systems administrator median
- 151,340computer jobs
Key Points
- University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's Information Technology, BS ranks first in Ohio and places #2 of 57 in our national IT bachelor’s ranking.
- Total tuition for an Ohio resident starts at $22,380 and runs to $54,000.
- One public program charges residents less, saving up to $450 over the degree.
- Ohio's largest tracked IT jobs are help desk technicians (22,370), IT managers (19,500) and computer systems analysts (19,190).
- Ohio runs heavy in network and systems administrators (1.35x) and computer systems analysts (1.03x the U.S. share).
Ordered by each program’s place in its national ranking. How we rank.
The Seven Best Online IT Programs in Ohio for 2027
-
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Information Technology, BS
Ohio students can earn this Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from a public university, onsite or online. The concentrations are Data Technologies, Game Development and Simulation, and Networking and Systems. The core includes System Analysis & Design, Information Security and Assurance, and Integrated IT Solution Lifecycle and Project Management.
Online, the degree map has five years and a minimum of 120 credits. Seniors apply coursework and co-op experience to a project in the IT Expo, preceded by a two-course capstone. Applicants transferring in without direct admission from high school must hold 24 semester hours and a 2.75 GPA.
- Credits
- 120
- Graduation rate
- 75%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $69,5481 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 652023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLC, ABETHigher Learning Commission
-
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Cybersecurity, BS
Ohio's University of Cincinnati, a public university, runs this Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity on campus and online. First-year courses are IT1080C, IT1090C and IT1081C, covering networking, programming and system administration. After those come Information Security and Assurance, Network Security and Network Monitoring and Intrusion Prevention Systems, and a two-part senior capstone project ends the plan.
On the online degree map, expect five years, a 120-credit minimum and three co-op rotations with no credit attached. The online program is accredited by ABET. Applicants who transfer in without direct admission from high school need 24 semester (36 quarter) hours and a 2.75 GPA.
- Credits
- 120
- Graduation rate
- 75%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 1032023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLC, ABETHigher Learning Commission
-
MyComputerCareer at Columbus
IT Network Administration and Security, AAS
MyComputerCareer at Columbus, a private for-profit school in Columbus, Ohio, offers an Associate of Applied Science in IT Network Administration and Security both online and on campus. Twelve courses and five general education classes fill the schedule.
Classes address coding, cyber security, data analysis and operating systems, along with IP routing, networking devices and server administration. The curriculum prepares students for the Certified Ethical Hacker exam plus vendor credentials: Cisco's CCENT, Microsoft's MCP, and CompTIA's A+, Security+ and Network+. Other credentials in the same family, including Server+, CCNA, CySA+ and Linux Essentials, are also tied to the training. Live online instruction is the delivery style, so classes meet in real time. It is a short, certification-oriented path into networking work.
- Program cost
- $50,087full program
- Graduation rate
- 70%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 442023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- ACCETAccrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
- Format
- Live classes
- Prepares for
- CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Server+ and others (CEH, CCNA, CySA+, Linux Essentials listed)
-
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Information Technology, MS
Capstone or thesis: that is the choice that ends the University of Cincinnati's online master's in IT. The capstone is an IT final project in your last semester, while thesis students work with a faculty advisor on a research project lasting 2 to 4 semesters. The program is based in Cincinnati.
The degree totals 30 credit hours: 3 core classes, then electives totaling 15 to 18 hours, of which up to 6 credits may fall outside IT. Mobile development, human-computer interaction, IT infrastructure and cybersecurity are among the elective topics, and a Certificate in Data-Driven Cybersecurity can be earned through the electives at no extra cost. It is 100% online, with fall, spring and summer starts and smaller classes. Bridge courses of 12 credit hours apply only to students with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 or no IT background, and they sit outside the 30-hour requirement.
- Online tuition
- $761 per credit$746 in state · $22,830 total for 30 credits
- Credits
- 30
- Graduation rate
- 75%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $90,7041 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 7732023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLCHigher Learning Commission
- Starts
- Fall, Spring, Summer
-
Ohio Christian University
Information Technology, BA
Ohio Christian University, in Circleville, Ohio, pairs information technology with business in this BA and runs it under a non-denominational, traditional Christian worldview, with an objective of applying Christian principles to thinking and decisions. Students choose a concentration in Data Science, Cybersecurity or Artificial Intelligence.
Fully online five-week courses run as-you-go, designed around busy adult lives, with forum discussions and weekly assignment deadlines. Students learn to evaluate current and emerging technologies, create IT project plans, and plan, implement and support information systems. The online route is separate from the Circleville campus, which serves 17-24 year-old undergraduates, and the setting is a non-competitive student family that supports its members.
- Online tuition
- $450 per credit$54,000 total for 120 credits
- Credits
- 120
- Graduation rate
- 34%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 22023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLCHigher Learning Commission
- Format
- Courses from 5 weeks
-
Franklin University
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Franklin University, in Columbus, Ohio, designs this online IT bachelor's with transfer in mind. Up to 94 semester hours earned at a community college can come in, Franklin associate degree credits apply directly, and certifications including Network+, CCNA, PMI, CISSP and Security+ can stand in for select coursework. Study is fully online, and new terms begin several times a year.
Subjects include project management for IT, database administration, security, and the care of networks, systems and infrastructure. Hands-on administration covers Cisco switches and routers and firewalls, along with Oracle 10g, Linux and Windows Server, and students meet Perl, Shell and PowerShell. Faculty teach to PMBOK Guide and CISSP standards. The program suits working adults with some IT knowledge or experience who want more depth.
- Online tuition
- $398 per credit$49,352 total for 124 credits
- Credits
- 124
- Graduation rate
- 11%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $63,3101 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 352023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
- Format
- Courses from 6 weeks
- Transfer credits
- Up to 94
- Starts
- January, February, March, November
- Prepares for
- PMBOK Guide; (ISC)2 CISSP
-
Miami University-Hamilton
Information Technology, Bachelor's
Ohio residents and everyone else pay the same per-credit hour rate for online undergraduate courses at Miami University, which includes a per-hour online class fee. The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology sits in the Department of Applied Computing and Engineering Technology.
Beyond the programming and networking base, the major requires CIT 348 Information Management and Retrieval and CIT 376 IT for Organizations, along with CIT 225 Fundamentals of DevOps. Students finish with two capstone courses, Requirements and Design and then Implementation and Deployment. Preparation covers certifications in networking, cloud and cybersecurity as well as Agile project management. Most classes carry three credit hours, and the university holds Higher Learning Commission accreditation. The major also includes CIT 175 Artificial Intelligence Basics and CIT 205 Agile Launchpad I.
- Online tuition
- $356.22 per credit
- Graduation rate
- 25%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $66,0301 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 302023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLCHigher Learning Commission
- Prepares for
- ICAgile Certification, CompTIA Security+
How Much an Online IT Degree Costs in Ohio
Published online rates at schools based in Ohio run from $356 to $746 per credit, using the in-state rate where a school charges residents less. For the three programs that publish both a rate and a credit total, the full degree costs an Ohio resident $22,380 at the low end and $54,000 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 Ohio
Five bachelor's programs are based in Ohio: the Information Technology, BS at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, the Cybersecurity, BS at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, the Information Technology, BA at Ohio Christian University, the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at Franklin University and the Information Technology, Bachelor's at Miami University-Hamilton. Total tuition for an Ohio resident runs from $49,352 (Franklin University) to $54,000 (Ohio Christian 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 Ohio
One master's program is based in Ohio: the Information Technology, MS at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus. Its total tuition for an Ohio resident is $22,380, 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 Ohio
One associate program is based in Ohio: the IT Network Administration and Security, AAS at MyComputerCareer at Columbus. Compare them with the national field in our online IT associate degree rankings.
Tuition Discounts for Ohio Residents
In-State Online Tuition in Ohio
One public program based in Ohio charges online students who live in Ohio less per credit than students from other states. The biggest gap is in the Information Technology, MS at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus: $22,380 in total for an Ohio resident against $22,830 for everyone else, a difference of $450. How schools decide who counts as a resident.
Regional Tuition Exchanges for Ohio Students
One exchange reaches Ohio. Ask each school whether its online IT programs take part.
- Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP, run by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact): no more than 150% of in-state tuition at public schools, and 10% off at private ones, for the programs each campus opens.
Online IT Programs Near Ohio
Indiana has 11 programs, Pennsylvania has five programs, Kentucky has three programs, Michigan has three programs and West Virginia has two programs.
Ohio Programs in Our National Rankings
| Program | National ranking | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity, BS, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Cybersecurity | 1st of 26 |
| Cybersecurity, BS, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | ABET-Accredited | 1st of 12 |
| Information Technology, BS, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Bachelor's in IT | 2nd of 57 |
| Information Technology, BS, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | ABET-Accredited | 2nd of 12 |
| Information Technology, MS, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Affordable Master's | 7th of 22 |
| Information Technology, MS, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Master's in IT | 9th of 37 |
| Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Franklin University | Cheapest | 12th of 35 |
| Information Technology, BA, Ohio Christian University | Cheapest | 13th of 35 |
| Information Technology, BA, Ohio Christian University | Bachelor's in IT | 40th of 57 |
| Information Technology, Bachelor's, Miami University-Hamilton | With Certifications | 40th of 43 |
| Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Franklin University | With Certifications | 42nd of 43 |
| Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Franklin University | Bachelor's in IT | 47th of 57 |
| Information Technology, Bachelor's, Miami University-Hamilton | Bachelor's in IT | 51st of 57 |
| Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Franklin University | CAE-CD Schools | 64th of 66 |
IT Jobs and Salaries in Ohio
Ohio’s best-paid IT role: IT managers, at $163,640; Ohio’s lowest is $59,720, for help desk technicians. Ohio’s largest IT group: 22,370 help desk technicians.
| Role | Median pay | vs U.S. | Typical range | Jobs | Entry education | Salary guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT Manager | $163,640 | −7% | $100,900 to $233,510 | 19,500 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Engineer | $131,070 | −2% | $84,340 to $180,640 | 5,150 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Information Security Analyst | $110,480 | −14% | $68,070 to $171,450 | 6,010 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $102,320 | −3% | $64,480 to $156,820 | 19,190 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $97,570 | −2% | $62,170 to $143,780 | 15,130 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Database Administrator | $97,190 | −7% | $49,960 to $158,910 | 1,860 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Support Specialist | $70,080 | −8% | $45,980 to $122,470 | 7,480 | Associate's degree | Salary guide |
| Help Desk Technician | $59,720 | −3% | $38,730 to $89,700 | 22,370 | Some college, no degree | Salary guide |
Median and percentile pay and local employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Ohio statewide (Sources; BLS OEWS). Typical entry education: BLS Employment Projections. The range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
No Ohio role tops the U.S. median; nearest: $131,070 for network engineers (−2%). Weakest in Ohio: information security analysts, at $110,480 (−14%).
Next in Ohio: IT managers (19,500 jobs, $163,640) and computer systems analysts (19,190 jobs, $102,320). In Ohio, bachelor’s-level roles are 69% of IT jobs; Ohio students can compare online IT bachelor’s degrees. Below a bachelor’s in Ohio: help desk technicians (22,370 jobs, $59,720) and network support specialists (7,480 jobs, $70,080). For those Ohio roles, see online IT associate degrees.
Living costs work in a worker's favor in Ohio, where a price level of 92.8 makes a $97,570 administrator median worth $105,170.
IT Pay by Metro Area in Ohio
Columbus, OH is both the largest market and the best paid for administrators, at $105,750.
| Metro area | Computer jobs | Network and computer systems administrator median | Security analyst median | Help desk median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 36,100 | $105,750 | $122,600 | $62,540 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 32,340 | $101,530 | $114,300 | $59,350 |
| Cleveland, OH | 29,160 | $96,140 | $105,890 | $59,890 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | 12,820 | $95,680 | $111,430 | $58,870 |
| Akron, OH | 7,690 | $89,380 | $104,530 | $57,100 |
| Toledo, OH | 3,970 | $84,130 | $103,720 | $58,830 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 2,000 | $80,760 | $98,900 | $58,650 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 1,620 | $76,320 | $80,660 | $52,520 |
Ohio IT Pay vs. Neighboring States
Network and computer systems administrators earn more in Ohio than in any bordering state.
| State | Network and computer systems administrator median | All computer jobs median | Computer jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $97,570 | $100,200 | 151,340 |
| Michigan | $92,750 | $99,280 | 126,780 |
| Kentucky | $87,020 | $84,590 | 39,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,140 | $99,930 | 181,360 |
| Indiana | $84,550 | $84,010 | 67,640 |
| West Virginia | $74,490 | $80,720 | 14,520 |
IT Job Concentration in Ohio
| IT job | Per thousand jobs | Vs. national share |
|---|---|---|
| Help Desk Technician | 4.03 | 0.87× |
| IT Manager | 3.51 | 0.81× |
| Computer Systems Analyst | 3.46 | 1.03× |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | 2.73 | 1.35× |
| Network Support Specialist | 1.35 | 1.43× |
| Information Security Analyst | 1.08 | 0.88× |
| Network Engineer | 0.93 | 0.80× |
| Database Administrator | 0.34 | 0.75× |
Employment and location quotients: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Cybersecurity Jobs in Ohio
Ohio’s labor market office projects the job to grow 25.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 420 openings a year.
Compare online cybersecurity degrees or read the security analyst salary guide.
Tech Jobs in Ohio: The Industries Behind Them
The information sector employs 93,136 people in Ohio, at 4,391 business locations.
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 Ohio Through 2034
Ohio’s labor market office projects information security analysts to grow fastest, by 25.1% from 2024 to 2034, and computer user support specialists to grow slowest, at -6.2%. Across the eight IT jobs below, it expects about 5,370 openings a year, from growth and from workers who retire or change fields. Nationally, the same job is projected to grow 28.5%.
| IT job | 2024 | 2034 | Growth | Openings a year | U.S. growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Security Analyst | 5,080 | 6,360 | +25.1% | 420 | +28.5% |
| IT Manager | 14,270 | 15,950 | +11.8% | 1,120 | +15.2% |
| Network Engineer | 5,320 | 5,870 | +10.3% | 320 | +11.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | 15,850 | 16,850 | +6.3% | 990 | +8.7% |
| Network Support Specialist | 9,570 | 9,600 | +0.3% | 590 | +1.8% |
| Database Administrator | 1,860 | 1,810 | -2.7% | 90 | -0.6% |
| Network Administrator and Systems Administrator | 15,960 | 15,000 | -6% | 650 | -4.2% |
| Help Desk | 22,550 | 21,150 | -6.2% | 1,190 | -3.7% |
State projections, 2024 to 2034: Projections Central, from Ohio’s labor market information office. U.S. growth is the national projection on the same basis.
How to Choose an Online IT Program in Ohio
The lowest resident total in Ohio is $22,380, at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus. Largest IT occupation: 22,370 computer user support specialists.
Our guide to choosing by state covers cost, residency, authorization and accreditation.
Online IT Programs in Other States
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- 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
- 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 Ohio FAQ
How many online IT programs are based in Ohio?
Seven fully online IT programs, at five schools: five bachelor's degrees, one master's degree and one associate degree. Four of them are at public schools.
What is the cheapest online IT program for Ohio residents?
Among programs based in Ohio with a published rate and credit total, the lowest for an Ohio resident is $22,380, for the Information Technology, MS at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus.
Can Ohio residents get a tuition discount at out-of-state schools?
Ohio takes part in MSEP. MSEP offers no more than 150% of in-state tuition at public schools, and 10% off at private ones, for the programs each campus opens. Ask the school whether its online IT programs count.
Which IT jobs pay best in Ohio compared with the U.S.?
Ohio pays network and systems administrators best against U.S. medians and information security analysts worst.
Which IT jobs are scarce in Ohio?
Ohio is lightest on web developers (0.68x) and database administrators (0.75x the U.S. share).
Keep researching
Related Rankings and Guides
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state and metropolitan area estimates
- Projections Central, long-term occupational projections by state (base year 2024, projected to 2034), produced by state labor market information offices
- Ohio labor market information office, long-term occupational projections
- BEA, Regional Price Parities by state (SARPP), all items, 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023, by state
- Midwestern Higher Education Compact, Midwest Student Exchange Program
- NC-SARA, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
- Program pages for each Ohio program ranked above, linked from its card