Online ITPrograms
2027 State Guide
Best Online IT Programs in Rhode Island (2027)
Online IT programs in Rhode Island come from schools in other states, because no school based here runs one we rank. Rhode Island's largest tracked IT jobs are computer systems analysts (1,850), help desk technicians (1,780) and IT managers (1,210).
- 6online options listed
- $103,100network and computer systems administrator median
- 16,390computer jobs
Key Points
- No school based in Rhode Island runs a fully online IT program we rank, so these picks come from Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
- The information sector employs 6,243 people in Rhode Island, at 477 business locations.
- The state projects information security analysts to grow fastest, by 18.6% from 2024 to 2034 (28.5% nationally), adding up to 60 openings a year.
Online IT Programs in Rhode Island: Best Fits for Residents
No school based in Rhode Island runs a program we rank, so these six picks balance published cost, transfer credit, distance and the jobs Rhode Island hires for. Compare the full field in our national rankings.
-
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Information Technology, BS
One rate for everyone: $46,200. Rhode Island's database administrators earn $63,430 to $154,860. 65% graduation rate.
- Online tuition
- $385 per credit$46,200 total for 120 credits
- Credits
- 120
- Graduation rate
- 65%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $68,3621 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 1512023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- NECHENew England Commission of Higher Education
- Transfer credits
- Up to 90
- Starts
- October
-
Northeastern University Professional Programs
Information Technology, BS
Database administrators earn $106,020 in Rhode Island. Graduates report $115,587 after a year.
- Online tuition
- $580 per credit
- Median earnings
- $115,5871 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 362023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- NECHENew England Commission of Higher Education
- Starts
- Fall, Spring, Summer
-
College of Our Lady of the Elms
Computer Information Technology and Security, BS
Information security analysts run 1.15 times the national share in Rhode Island. 68% graduation rate.
- Online tuition
- $696 per credit
- Graduation rate
- 68%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 122023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- NECHENew England Commission of Higher Education
- Format
- Courses from 8 weeks
- Transfer credits
- Up to 90
-
Brandeis University
Master of Science in Information Technology Management
It leads toward Rhode Island's 1,850 computer systems analysts. Self-paced, which suits a full-time job.
- Credits
- 30
- Graduation rate
- 86%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 452023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- NECHENew England Commission of Higher Education
- Format
- Self-paced
-
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Information Technology, MS
It leads toward Rhode Island's 1,850 computer systems analysts. 90% graduation rate.
- Credits
- 33
- Graduation rate
- 90%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 112023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- NECHENew England Commission of Higher Education
- Format
- Courses from 7 weeks
- Starts
- Spring, Summer, Fall
-
Southern New Hampshire University
Information Technologies, BS
Database administrators earn $106,020 in Rhode Island. A CAE-CD school.
- Online tuition
- $354 per credit
- Graduation rate
- 43%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $61,3221 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 5972023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- NECHE, CAE-CD schoolNew England Commission of Higher Education
- Format
- Courses from 8 weeks
- Transfer credits
- Up to 90
- Starts
- January, March
Tuition Discounts for Rhode Island Residents
State Aid for Rhode Island Residents
The Rhode Island Promise Scholarship from the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner is aid for students at the Community College of Rhode Island. Ask the agency whether your online program qualifies before you count on it.
Regional Tuition Exchanges for Rhode Island Students
One exchange reaches Rhode Island. Ask each school whether its online IT programs take part.
- Tuition Break (New England Regional Student Program) (Tuition Break, run by NEBHE): a reduced rate at out-of-state public colleges in New England for approved programs, from certificates to doctorates.
IT Jobs and Salaries in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s best-paid IT role: IT managers, at $167,270; Rhode Island’s lowest is $62,510, for help desk technicians. Rhode Island’s largest IT group: 1,850 computer systems analysts.
| Role | Median pay | vs U.S. | Typical range | Jobs | Entry education | Salary guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT Manager | $167,270 | −4% | $103,410 to $252,140 | 1,210 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $134,630 | +27% | $79,610 to $168,480 | 1,850 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Engineer | $131,320 | −2% | $58,760 to $175,800 | 460 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Information Security Analyst | $109,420 | −15% | $74,880 to $170,180 | 710 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Database Administrator | $106,020 | +1% | $63,430 to $154,860 | 280 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $103,100 | +4% | $71,200 to $154,790 | 1,060 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Web Developer | $98,140 | +6% | $84,650 to $127,970 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide | |
| Network Support Specialist | $82,970 | +9% | $59,810 to $129,450 | 620 | Associate's degree | Salary guide |
| Help Desk Technician | $62,510 | +1% | $47,340 to $94,040 | 1,780 | Some college, no degree | Salary guide |
Median and percentile pay and local employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island premium: computer systems analysts at $134,630 (+27%). Weakest in Rhode Island: information security analysts, at $109,420 (−15%). 6 of 9 Rhode Island roles out-earn the U.S. median.
Next in Rhode Island: IT managers (1,210 jobs, $167,270) and network and computer systems administrators (1,060 jobs, $103,100). In Rhode Island, bachelor’s-level roles are 70% of IT jobs; Rhode Island students can compare online IT bachelor’s degrees. Below a bachelor’s in Rhode Island: help desk technicians (1,780 jobs, $62,510) and network support specialists (620 jobs, $82,970). For those Rhode Island roles, see online IT associate degrees.
Network and systems administrators out-earn the country in Rhode Island: $103,100 against a $99,130 national median.
Rhode Island IT Pay vs. Neighboring States
Every bordering state pays network and computer systems administrators more than Rhode Island does.
| State | Network and computer systems administrator median | All computer jobs median | Computer jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $103,100 | $105,700 | 16,390 |
| Massachusetts | $110,980 | $130,620 | 153,860 |
| Connecticut | $105,880 | $108,610 | 48,210 |
IT Job Concentration in Rhode Island
| IT job | Per thousand jobs | Vs. national share |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Analyst | 3.68 | 1.10× |
| Help Desk Technician | 3.55 | 0.77× |
| IT Manager | 2.42 | 0.56× |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | 2.11 | 1.05× |
| Information Security Analyst | 1.41 | 1.15× |
| Network Support Specialist | 1.24 | 1.32× |
| Network Engineer | 0.92 | 0.80× |
| Database Administrator | 0.56 | 1.25× |
Employment and location quotients: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Cybersecurity Jobs in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s labor market office projects the job to grow 18.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 60 openings a year.
Compare online cybersecurity degrees or read the security analyst salary guide.
Tech Jobs in Rhode Island: The Industries Behind Them
Computer systems design firms in Rhode Island pay an average of $118,383, across 6,760 jobs.
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 Rhode Island Through 2034
Rhode Island’s labor market office projects information security analysts to grow fastest, by 18.6% from 2024 to 2034, and network and computer systems administrators to grow slowest, at -9.7%. Across the nine IT jobs below, it expects about 510 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 | 830 | 980 | +18.6% | 60 | +28.5% |
| IT Manager | 960 | 1,040 | +8.5% | 70 | +15.2% |
| Web Developer | 620 | 670 | +7.7% | 40 | +7.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | 1,580 | 1,640 | +4.3% | 100 | +8.7% |
| Network Engineer | 510 | 530 | +3.9% | 30 | +11.9% |
| Network Support Specialist | 710 | 710 | +0.3% | 40 | +1.8% |
| Database Administrator | 310 | 290 | -7.1% | 10 | -0.6% |
| Help Desk | 2,060 | 1,910 | -7.3% | 110 | -3.7% |
| Network Administrator and Systems Administrator | 1,340 | 1,210 | -9.7% | 50 | -4.2% |
State projections, 2024 to 2034: Projections Central, from Rhode Island’s labor market information office. U.S. growth is the national projection on the same basis.
How to Choose an Online IT Program in Rhode Island
Rhode Island students can start from $46,200 at University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Largest IT occupation: 1,850 computer systems analysts.
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
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Online IT Programs in Rhode Island FAQ
Are there online IT programs based in Rhode Island?
None in our rankings. Rhode Island residents enroll with schools elsewhere; our first picks are the Information Technology, BS at University of Massachusetts-Lowell and the Information Technology, BS at Northeastern University Professional Programs.
Which online IT program suits Rhode Island residents best?
Weighing cost, transfer credit, distance and local jobs, we'd start with the Information Technology, BS at University of Massachusetts-Lowell in Massachusetts, at $46,200 in published tuition.
Can Rhode Island residents get a tuition discount at out-of-state schools?
Rhode Island takes part in Tuition Break. Tuition Break offers a reduced rate at out-of-state public colleges in New England for approved programs, from certificates to doctorates. Ask the school whether its online IT programs count.
Which IT jobs are common in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island runs heavy in database administrators (1.25x), information security analysts (1.15x) and computer systems analysts (1.10x the U.S. share).
Which IT jobs pay best in Rhode Island compared with the U.S.?
Rhode Island pays computer systems analysts best against U.S. medians and information security analysts worst.
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
- Rhode Island 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
- NEBHE, Tuition Break (New England Regional Student Program)
- NC-SARA, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement