Best institutions to study Information Technology
A program that focuses on the design of technological information systems, including computing systems, as solutions to business and research data and communications support needs.
671 U.S. institutions graduated 48,440 Information Technology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 11.0103, a specialization of Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 11.01), and leads most directly to the Information Security Analysts occupation (BLS SOC 15-1212).
About Information Technology programs
A program that focuses on the design of technological information systems, including computing systems, as solutions to business and research data and communications support needs. Includes instruction in the principles of computer hardware and software components, algorithms, databases, telecommunications, user tactics, application testing, and human interface design.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Information Technology program, part of the broader field of Computer and Information Sciences, focuses on designing technological information systems to support business and research needs. This program is ideal for students interested in developing solutions that enhance data management and communication through technology.
Students will gain knowledge in computer hardware and software components, algorithms, databases, telecommunications, and human interface design. Core skills include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, preparing graduates for various roles in the tech industry.
Credentials awarded
What Information Technology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree15,440 graduates / yr · 308 institutions32%
- Master's degree12,032 graduates / yr · 131 institutions25%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year11,174 graduates / yr · 206 institutions23%
- Associate's degree7,624 graduates / yr · 287 institutions16%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1,273 graduates / yr · 74 institutions2.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate370 graduates / yr · 21 institutions0.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship251 graduates / yr · 13 institutions0.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks208 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.4%
- Post-master's certificate36 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.1%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years32 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Information Technology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 14,983 |
| 2013 | 16,480 |
| 2014 | 17,979 |
| 2015 | 19,923 |
| 2016 | 20,646 |
| 2017 | 22,469 |
| 2018 | 24,429 |
| 2019 | 26,109 |
| 2020 | 27,756 |
| 2021 | 31,112 |
| 2022 | 32,702 |
| 2023 | 35,205 |
| 2024 | 41,835 |
| 2025 | 48,440 |
Top 50 institutions for Information Technology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DeVry University - Illinois Lisle, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor's | 3,921 | 37% | $32,381 | — |
| 2 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 2,235 | 46% | $11,580 | $84,242 |
| 3 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1,430 | 33% | — | $55,264 |
| 4 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sPost-degree cert. | 1,319 | 21% | $15,478 | $59,291 |
| 5 | Colorado State University Global Denver, COPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 1,002 | — | — | $68,010 |
| 6 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 985 | 50% | $11,672 | $40,725 |
| 7 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsDoctoral | 837 | 75% | — | $69,548 |
| 8 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 727 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 9 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sAssociate's | 698 | 39% | — | $52,497 |
| 10 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 687 | 61% | — | — |
| 11 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 550 | 68% | — | $78,800 |
| 12 | DeVry University - California Ontario, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor's | 539 | 22% | $35,320 | — |
| 13 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 521 | 95% | $17,613 | $103,650 |
| 14 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 492 | 43% | $21,535 | $59,500 |
| 15 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VAPublicAssociate's | 482 | 33% | — | $39,679 |
| 16 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 469 | 59% | — | $53,539 |
| 17 | Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 468 | 24% | — | $32,154 |
| 18 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 453 | 61% | — | $70,235 |
| 19 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sMaster's | 436 | 83% | — | $72,132 |
| 20 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicBachelor's | 421 | 76% | — | $72,472 |
| 21 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 419 | 75% | — | $72,886 |
| 22 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 416 | 52% | — | $60,736 |
| 23 | Strayer University - Global Region Washington, DCPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 403 | 14% | $18,144 | $67,315 |
| 24 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 389 | 55% | $6,760 | $63,444 |
| 25 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor's | 384 | 78% | — | $68,793 |
| 26 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 379 | 50% | — | $61,977 |
| 27 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 377 | 31% | — | $40,854 |
| 28 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sAssociate's | 376 | 46% | — | $49,903 |
| 29 | Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, ALPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 365 | 33% | — | $45,526 |
| 30 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 354 | 75% | $19,899 | $61,313 |
| 31 | Rowan - Cabarrus Community College Salisbury, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 337 | 35% | — | $34,853 |
| 32 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 331 | 69% | — | $53,171 |
| 33 | Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 327 | 34% | — | $38,837 |
| 34 | American InterContinental University System Chandler, AZPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 312 | 9% | $15,785 | $51,687 |
| 35 | Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 306 | 19% | $16,966 | $60,377 |
| 36 | Washington University of Science and Technology Alexandria, VAPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 304 | 67% | — | — |
| 37 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 302 | 48% | — | $31,754 |
| 38 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 276 | 86% | — | $61,376 |
| 39 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 255 | 73% | — | $68,183 |
| 40 | Davidson - Davie Community College Thomasville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 254 | 46% | — | $36,168 |
| 41 | Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 254 | 68% | $24,409 | — |
| 42 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor's | 250 | 86% | — | — |
| 43 | Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sAssociate's | 249 | 45% | — | $49,049 |
| 44 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor's | 245 | 45% | — | — |
| 45 | Belhaven University Jackson, MSPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 237 | 49% | $22,476 | — |
| 46 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 236 | 69% | — | $60,639 |
| 47 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 235 | 48% | — | — |
| 48 | Wayne Community College Goldsboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 235 | 49% | — | — |
| 49 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, ALPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 231 | 33% | $15,554 | $53,644 |
| 50 | Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 225 | 26% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Computer and Information Sciences field (CIP 11.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 54 states & territories
Where Information Technology graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer and Information Sciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1212, Information Security Analysts, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Information Technology program can pursue careers such as Information Security Analysts, Software Developers, and Data Scientists. With a projected job growth rate of 28.5% and approximately 16,000 annual openings, the median wage for these roles is around $124,910, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 11.0103
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Information Security Analystsprimary SOC 15-1212 | $129,180 | +28.5% Much faster than average | ~16,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Software Developers SOC 15-1252 | $135,980 | +15.8% Much faster than average | ~115,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer and Information Systems Managers SOC 11-3021 | $175,140 | +15.2% Much faster than average | ~55,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer Systems Analysts SOC 15-1211 | $105,850 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~34,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Data Scientists SOC 15-2051 | $120,230 | +33.5% Much faster than average | ~23,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers SOC 15-1253 | $104,300 | +10.0% Much faster than average | ~14,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer Network Architects SOC 15-1241 | $134,050 | +11.9% Much faster than average | ~11,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Database Architects SOC 15-1243 | $139,500 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~4,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer and Information Research Scientists SOC 15-1221 | $140,300 | +19.7% Much faster than average | ~3,200 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Information Technology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
- Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
- Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
- Perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures.
- Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status.
- Review violations of computer security procedures and discuss procedures with violators to ensure violations are not repeated.
Tools and technology used
Other Computer and Information Sciences specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 11.01).
- Computer and Information SciencesCIP 11.010173,454 graduates / yr879 institutions
- InformaticsCIP 11.01043,531 graduates / yr71 institutions
- Computer and Information SciencesCIP 11.01992,981 graduates / yr80 institutions
- Artificial IntelligenceCIP 11.01022,576 graduates / yr122 institutions
- Human-Centered Technology DesignCIP 11.0105998 graduates / yr33 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 28.5% and about 16,000 annual job openings.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can pursue careers as Information Security Analysts, Software Developers, Computer Systems Analysts, and Data Scientists.
What is the CIP code for Information Technology?+
Information Technology is CIP 11.0103 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 11.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the design of technological information systems, including computing systems, as solutions to business and research data and communications support needs. Includes instruction in the principles of computer hardware and software components, algorithms, databases, telecommunications, user tactics, application testing, and human interface design.
How many institutions offer Information Technology programs?+
671 U.S. institutions reported Information Technology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 54 states & territories, awarding 48,440 credentials in the year. That is 36.7% of all Computer and Information Sciences graduates.
How much do Information Technology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Information Security Analysts occupation, which Information Technology most directly leads to, pays a median of $129,180 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer and Information Sciences field report median earnings of $57,706 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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