Best Online Master's in Information Technology in 2027

What an Online Master’s in Information Technology Is

An online master’s in information technology is a graduate degree that builds on an undergraduate education and prepares you to run technology work. You study at a deeper level than a bachelor’s: security, cloud systems, data management and how IT fits into a business. The degree name varies. You’ll see Master of Science in Information Technology, in information technology management, in information technology administration and security, and in applied information technology. They sit in the same family, and the online IT master’s rankings group them together.

A Typical Course Sequence

Most programs open with a core, then a concentration, then a capstone. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a clear example. Its core covers Information Technology Policy and Strategy, Business Intelligence and Data Management for Analytics. You then complete two three-course specialties from Information Systems Design, Digital Transformation and IT User Experience, followed by a two-course capstone, for 33 credits in all.

University of the Cumberlands runs a more technical sequence: Analyzing and Visualizing Data, Cloud Computing, Database Systems, Introduction to Data Mining, and then Organization Leadership and Decision Making and Operational Excellence, ending with an Information Technology Project. Colorado State University Global leans toward management and risk, with Managing Virtualized and Cloud Systems, Information Technology Auditing and Assurance, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery and a capstone in Information Technology Management.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell lets you build the sequence yourself. You choose two courses each from system infrastructures, network infrastructure and software management, then four electives, such as Developer Operations (DevOps) or Introduction to Malware Analysis.

Async or Live Classes

Delivery matters most if you work full time. Of the 8 ranked programs that state their format, 7 are fully asynchronous, 1 mixes formats, and none require scheduled live sessions. Brandeis University describes asynchronous courses you complete from anywhere. Temple University schedules evening classes that run online or in person, which suits someone who can log in at a set hour but not at a commute. Only 2 ranked programs ask for time on campus.

Labs and Hands-On Work

Technical programs use virtual labs. Walden University lists virtual labs and simulations in its courses, and Purdue University Global describes learning labs that simulate on-the-job situations.

How IT Differs From Neighboring Degrees

An IT master’s is about running and securing systems. A computer science master’s is about building them, with more math and algorithms; the IT versus computer science guide covers the split. If security is your goal, compare the online cybersecurity degrees first. Information systems and MIS degrees lean further toward business analysis than infrastructure. A master’s in information systems sits closer to business, and the IT vs information systems guide sets the two side by side.

How Much an Online Master’s in Information Technology Costs

The median total across the 22 programs that publish a full price is $23,115. Totals run from $11,005 to $63,000. Per-credit rates run from $355 to $1,400 with a median of $615. The spread is large: the lowest total belongs to University of the Cumberlands at $11,005 and the highest to Drexel University on a quarter system.

Graduate Rates at Public and Private Schools

These are semester-credit rates for the ranked programs that publish one.

The public programs are split on residency. 8 of the 15 public programs charge every student the same rate, and 2 charge in-state students less. At North Carolina A & T State University, the in-state rate is $303 against $1,035 for everyone else. 5 ranked programs are for-profit, such as Walden University at $575 per quarter credit. Quarter credits are two-thirds the size of semester credits, so don’t compare those rates directly with the table.

Fees Beyond Tuition

13 ranked programs publish fees beyond tuition. University of Massachusetts-Lowell lists $30 term registration fee; $50 graduate application fee. George Mason University lists a $35/credit distance learning fee. Towson University breaks its price into $14 per unit technology fee, up to $143 per term. On a ten-course degree, a per-credit fee adds a real amount, so add it to the rate before you compare.

Flat-Rate Pricing

26 ranked programs bill per credit. 1 bills a flat rate per term: Western Governors University charges $4,425 per 6-month term, and you can pass assessments and move through courses faster to get more out of each term. That model rewards students who already know the material, and it costs more than it looks if you work at a slow pace.

Paying for It

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, per Federal Student Aid, and you must be enrolled at least half-time at a participating school. Veterans can check the GI Bill education benefits: at the maximum benefit, the VA covers the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees, with a ceiling of 36 months of entitlement. Ask HR about tuition assistance too. Employers can cap it yearly and may require you to stay after graduation. For lower sticker prices, start with the affordable online IT master’s degrees ranking.

How Long an Online Master’s in Information Technology Takes

The ranked programs run from 30 to 48 credits, and the median is 30. Thirty credits is ten three-credit courses. Take two a term and you finish in about two years. Take one at a time and you’re looking at closer to three. Full-time students can finish in a year or a little more.

Accelerated Terms

Shorter terms let you stack more courses into a year. Of the 13 programs that state a term length, 10 run terms of eight weeks or shorter. Worcester Polytechnic Institute uses 7-week terms and Champlain College does too. Merrimack College, University of the Cumberlands and Grand Canyon University use 8-week terms. One ranked program, Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, publishes 5-week courses. At the other end, Temple University keeps the traditional 16-week semester.

The tradeoff is intensity. A seven or eight-week course packs a semester’s reading into half the time, and a missed week costs you more. Plan a steady block of study time each week and avoid taking your heaviest course in the same term as a major project at work.

Start Dates and Flexibility

Start dates decide how long you wait. Of the 20 programs that publish start dates, 2 start students every month. Colorado State University Global is one of them. Carnegie Mellon University admits three times a year, with applications due before each term. Missouri State University-Springfield also starts three times a year and says motivated students can finish in about a calendar year.

What a Realistic Week Looks Like

Plan the calendar before the credits. Champlain College publishes a weekly hours estimate for taking two courses per term, which is the number to hold against your work schedule. Webster University shows the tradeoff directly: one class per eight-week term takes much longer than two classes per term, and the choice is yours term by term. Start with the lighter load if you are unsure, and add a second course once you know how much time one takes.

Time Limits and Pace

Read the policy on stopping out. Policies on time to completion differ by school, and quarter-system programs such as Washington University of Science and Technology (54 quarter credits) follow a different calendar from semester programs. If your life is unpredictable, a flexible pause policy is worth more than a lower price. Ask whether you can take a term off without reapplying, and whether the tuition rate is locked from the day you enroll.

Transfer Credit for an Online Master’s in Information Technology

Graduate programs accept far fewer transfer credits than bachelor’s programs. Of the 6 ranked programs that publish a limit in semester credits, the maximum runs from 6 to 18, with a median of 13.5. The transfer allowance is a ceiling, not a promise, so ask for a written credit evaluation.

What Programs Allow

Temple University accepts 6 credits, and Grand Canyon University accepts up to 12 credits or a third of the program, whichever is less. North Carolina A & T State University allows 12, Concordia University-Saint Paul accepts 15 and Colorado State University Global accepts up to 18. Liberty University sets its limit as a share of the degree, up to half of the total.

Quarter-system schools count differently. Walden University accepts 20 quarter credits and Washington University of Science and Technology accepts 27, while Drexel University accepts 9.

Credit for Certifications

Credit for professional certifications is uncommon among these programs. 1 ranked program, Purdue University Global, says that if you’ve completed IT certification exams you may be eligible for credit toward your degree. Other programs align their courses with exams instead of granting credit. Abilene Christian University designs coursework that runs parallel to certifications such as CISSP and CISM. Webster University lists credits that qualify you for the PMP exam. Merrimack College aligns with CompTIA Network+ and Security+. Western Governors University includes a Scrum Alliance certification voucher.

Stacking a Certificate Into the Degree

Another shortcut is a graduate certificate that counts toward the master’s. University of Massachusetts-Lowell lets you apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones, including its Graduate Certificate Program in Cybersecurity. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus includes a Certificate in Data-Driven Cybersecurity at no extra cost. Champlain College builds a graduate certificate into the degree, in digital forensics and incident response or in software engineering and project management.

Prior Learning and Work Experience

Work experience shows up in admission rules more than in credit. Brandeis University recommends professional experience for direct entry, and Champlain College’s digital forensics track asks students to demonstrate previous coursework or experience in the field. Ask the admissions team in writing what your experience will and won’t change before you apply.

Bring transcripts and a course catalog to the admissions call, and ask for a written credit evaluation before you pay a deposit.

Admission Requirements for an Online IT Master’s

You need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. After that, requirements split by how technical the program is.

Technical Prerequisites

Programs that teach advanced security and systems expect you to arrive with some background. Worcester Polytechnic Institute asks for a bachelor’s degree with at least one prior college-level programming course. Abilene Christian University requires prerequisite coursework in programming, databases, networking and statistics. Bellevue University requires applied statistics and an introductory programming course or equivalents, and Brandeis University recommends scripting competency in Python or PowerShell along with several years of professional experience.

Programs That Welcome Career Changers

Others are built for people from outside IT. Drexel University accepts a four-year degree in any major with a minimum GPA and says you don’t need a background in information systems. Kennesaw State University offers foundation courses for students with non-computing degrees. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus requires bridge courses only for students with a lower undergraduate GPA or no IT background, and those bridge courses don’t count toward the degree. Carnegie Mellon University says its program suits professionals from non-technical areas as well as technical ones.

Test Scores

Many online programs skip the GRE. University of Massachusetts-Lowell says no GRE is required, Worcester Polytechnic Institute waives GMAT and GRE scores, and Florida Institute of Technology-Online requires neither test. Grand Canyon University pairs test scores with a lower GPA as one way in. Admission is still selective at some schools: Missouri State University-Springfield calls its admission competitive and weighs past academic performance.

What to Prepare

Expect to submit transcripts and, depending on the school, a resume, a statement of purpose or letters of recommendation. Check each program’s admissions page for its list. If your technical background is thin, ask whether a bridge course is available before you apply and whether it adds time or tuition.

Timelines and Deadlines

Rolling admission is common in online programs, and several publish multiple start dates a year. Apply at least a term ahead if you need letters of recommendation or a prerequisite course, since both take weeks. If you plan to use employer tuition assistance, get the approval in hand before you register, not after, because employer programs can require approval before you register.

The methodology page explains how the ranking weighs graduation rate, earnings, total tuition and accreditation if you want to compare programs on those terms.

Accreditation for an Online IT Master’s

Start with institutional accreditation. 35 of the 37 ranked programs list an institutional accreditor, and it is the first thing to confirm before you apply. The most common accreditors among them are the Higher Learning Commission (14 programs), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (6) and the New England Commission on Higher Education (6).

ABET and the Master’s Level

ABET accredits programs only, not whole schools, per ABET. 0 of the 37 ranked master’s programs hold ABET accreditation, and 0 hold both ABET and a cyber defense designation. That makes institutional accreditation the check that applies to every program here. If a program claims ABET accreditation for a master’s in IT, check it on ABET’s own accredited program search.

CAE in Cyber Defense

For security, the relevant designation is the National Security Agency’s Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. The designation covers 454 institutions, and 17 of the ranked programs are at one. Examples include Carnegie Mellon University, George Mason University, Champlain College and Kennesaw State University. Because the designation may sit with the whole school or with one program, confirm what it covers before you count it toward a particular degree. The CAE-CD ranking lists the schools, and you can confirm any of them on the CAE community map.

Business School Accreditation

Some technology master’s programs sit inside a business school, and a business accreditation such as AACSB applies to that business school. It is separate from the IT curriculum itself. Webster, for instance, offers a dual MBA and MS in Information Technology Management.

Questions to Ask a Program

Ask who accredits the university, whether the accreditation is regional or national, and whether the IT program has any additional approval. Ask whether credits would transfer to another accredited school, and whether your employer’s tuition program requires a particular accreditor. Written answers are better than phone answers.

How to Verify

Look up the institution in the Council for Higher Education Accreditation database at chea.org, then confirm the accreditor named on the school’s own site. Spend ten minutes on this before you pay an application fee. A school without recognized institutional accreditation can leave you with a degree that employers and doctoral programs won’t count.

Careers After an Online IT Master’s Degree

The degree opens management and specialist paths. This table uses BLS May 2025 wage data and 2025-35 employment projections.

BLS has no network engineer category, so the network architects row is the closest match. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education for every one of these occupations. A master’s isn’t required, which is why the degree works best as an accelerator.

Management

Computer and Information Systems Managers earn a median of $175,140, and the top tenth earn $297,510 or more. BLS projects 15.8% growth from 2025 to 2035 with about 53,500 openings a year. Management-oriented master’s programs, such as the ones at Brandeis University and Webster University, are built for that route. See the IT manager career guide and salary page.

Security and Architecture

Information Security Analysts are projected to grow 21%, the fastest in the table, with about 14,100 openings a year. The information security analyst career guide walks through the work. Security programs pair well with the CISSP, CISM and CompTIA CySA+ that Abilene Christian University aligns its courses to. For infrastructure roles, the network engineer guide and the CCNA certification page are the closest fit. Browse all exams on the certifications page.

Analysis and Data Roles

Computer Systems Analysts earn a median of $105,850 with 7.9% projected growth, so the computer systems analyst guide matters if you lean toward analytics concentrations. Database administrators are the weak spot: Database Administrators earn a median of $104,620, but BLS projects -0.1% change through 2035, so openings come from replacement rather than growth. See the database administrator guide.

Reading the Numbers Honestly

Wages in the table are medians across all workers in each occupation, not starting salaries and not what a new master’s graduate earns on day one. The top-tenth column shows what the best-paid workers in each occupation earn. Treat the growth column the same way: it describes the occupation, not your odds of getting hired. The salaries hub lets you compare pay across roles.

Specializations in Online IT Master’s Programs

Many programs let you pick a focus, and the focus shapes your first job after the degree. Look at the course list behind the name. A concentration built from two courses is a different degree from a program built around the topic from the first term.

Cybersecurity and Forensics

Security concentrations appear across the ranked programs. Carnegie Mellon University offers Information Security and Assurance as one of three concentration areas. George Mason University offers a fully online Cyber Security concentration and requires six courses in the area you choose. Champlain College offers a graduate certificate track in Digital Forensics and Incident Response, and Towson University offers certificates in computer forensics and other fields. Abilene Christian University builds its whole degree around five cybersecurity courses and awards a graduate certificate in cybersecurity along the way.

Data and Analytics

Data tracks come second. Carnegie Mellon University offers Business Intelligence and Data Analytics for experienced professionals. George Mason University offers Data Analytics and Intelligence Methods and Machine Learning Engineering concentrations. Bellevue University offers four concentrations: Database, Software Development, Data Science and Cybersecurity.

Management and Leadership

Management tracks lean on strategy and governance. Washington University of Science and Technology offers IT Systems and Management, Data Management and Analytics, and Software Design and Management. Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global frames its program around IT leadership and outsourcing, while Brandeis University includes Cybersecurity Governance, Risk and Enterprise Security Strategy in its core. Missouri State University-Springfield offers courses in Strategic IT Planning and Enterprise Data Analytics.

Cloud and Infrastructure

Cloud work appears as courses at several programs. Brandeis University teaches Enterprise Cloud Architecture and Scalable Systems Design. Illinois Institute of Technology offers Cloud Computing Technologies and lists a STEM designation, which matters if you’re an international student on a visa. New Mexico State University-Main Campus offers a Cyber Defense or Enterprise Management concentration, so ask about electives before you apply.

Choosing Between Tracks

Pick the track by the job posting you want, not the program brochure. Read five postings for the role, list the tools and certifications they name, and check whether the concentration teaches them. A security track that never mentions incident response, or a data track with no database course, is a weak match.

Ask which courses are required, which are electives and how often each is offered online. A required course that runs once a year can delay graduation by a term.

How to Choose an Online Master’s in Information Technology

Choose by goal first. If you want to lead people, look for strategy content and a cohort of working professionals. If you want technical depth, look for security, cloud or network tracks and lab work. Then run through this checklist.

Fully Online Status and Delivery

Confirm that every course you need is available online. Some programs mix formats. Towson University says its program can be completed fully online or hybrid, but three of its graduate certificates require some in-person courses. Illinois Institute of Technology offers the degree in person, online or hybrid, and Liberty University says some courses may require scheduled meeting times. Check whether the classes are asynchronous: University of the Cumberlands, Concordia University-Saint Paul and Brandeis University are.

Total Cost

Compare totals, not rates. University of the Cumberlands publishes a total of $11,005 and Kennesaw State University publishes $12,150, while Drexel University publishes $63,000 on a quarter system. Add fees and any employer help. The affordable master’s ranking sorts by price.

Transfer and Prior Credit

If you have graduate credits or a certificate, pick a school that will count them. Colorado State University Global accepts up to 18 credits and Concordia University-Saint Paul accepts 15.

Certifications

If you want a credential alongside the degree, Abilene Christian University aligns to CISSP and CISM, Webster University to PMP, and Western Governors University includes Scrum certifications in tuition.

Accreditation

Confirm institutional accreditation first, then look for the cyber defense designation if you’re headed toward security. Both are covered in the accreditation section above.

Start Dates and Pace

Match the calendar to your life. Colorado State University Global starts students monthly, while Carnegie Mellon University admits three times a year.

Faculty and Support

Read the faculty bios to see who teaches the courses. Ask about advising, career services for online students and how quickly the instructor answers questions in an asynchronous course.

Ask each program what its recent graduates do next. A program that can’t answer is telling you something. If you’re still deciding on level, the bachelor’s rankings cover the entry credential and the salaries hub shows pay at each step.

Online IT Master’s Programs by State

The ranked programs are based in 25 states. Massachusetts leads, then Pennsylvania and Virginia, then Colorado and Florida. Browse every location on the programs by state page.

Top States

What Each State Offers

Massachusetts has the most options: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Brandeis University, University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Merrimack College. Its only public program is University of Massachusetts-Lowell, at $610 per credit for in-state students. Pennsylvania has Carnegie Mellon University, Temple University and Drexel University, and the public option, Temple University, charges $1,023 per credit.

Virginia lists George Mason University, Washington University of Science and Technology and Liberty University. The public choice, George Mason University, charges $950 per credit. Colorado has Colorado State University Global at $675 per credit, and Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs. Florida has Florida Institute of Technology-Online and Atlantis University, both private.

Comparing Programs Inside One State

Within a state, compare on format and cost before reputation. In Massachusetts, one school uses seven-week terms and another uses eight, and one is part-time only. In Pennsylvania, Temple University charges $1,023 per credit and Carnegie Mellon University charges $620, so the public school costs more per credit than the private one. The state pages put these side by side so you can see the real difference in schedule and price without opening a dozen tabs.

Residents of a state with a public online option should price it first. In-state rates can run well under private rates,. If your state is not among the top five, the programs by state page lists every state with ranked programs.

Using State Pages

Online doesn’t make location irrelevant. A public university can charge residents less, even for online programs, as the gap at North Carolina A & T State University shows: $303 per credit in state against $1,035 for everyone else. State pages list the in-state options, which matters if you want a public school or a campus visit.