- 1.IT Managers earn a median salary of $98,740 with 15% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked graduate Information Technology programs include Carnegie Mellon University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Washington-Seattle Campus based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes for doctoral candidates
- 3.Best value: University of California-Berkeley offers graduate education at $11,834/year with 96% graduation rate
- 4.39 accredited graduate Information Technology doctoral programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Information Technology Programs - Top 10 Graduate (Doctoral)
Carnegie Mellon University
CMU's IT programs uniquely leverage the university's position as birthplace of many transformational technologies—from artificial intelligence and robotics to machine learning and neural networks—providing students unparalleled access to the researchers and labs where tomorrow's digital innovations are created today.
Program Overview
Carnegie Mellon's Information Technology programs represent a convergence of the university's world-renowned computer science leadership with practical business applications and social impact. The flagship Information Systems (IS) undergraduate program, jointly offered between Heinz College and Dietrich College, combines rigorous technical training with humanities and social sciences to produce graduates who can envision and drive technological change in organizations. For graduate students, CMU offers the Master of Information Technology Strategy (MITS), a STEM-designated 12-16 month program that creates IT strategy leaders through four specialization tracks: Data Analytics, Information Security, Technology Strategy & Governance, and Software and Networked Systems. The Master of Science in Health Care Analytics & Information Technology (MSHCA) targets the rapidly growing healthcare informatics sector, while specialized programs through the Language Technologies Institute advance natural language processing and computational linguistics research.
What sets CMU's IT programs apart is their integration across multiple top-tier colleges and institutes, allowing students unprecedented access to cutting-edge research in AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and data science. The programs emphasize real-world application through required capstone projects where student teams partner with companies to solve strategic problems. With an average starting salary of nearly $120,000 for MITS graduates and strong placement rates across all programs, CMU's IT education combines academic rigor with immediate professional relevance in an increasingly digital world.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Cutting-edge security and privacy research with experts from multiple disciplines collaborating on AI security, IoT devices, and blockchain
Natural language processing, computational linguistics, machine translation, speech processing, and multimodal computing
Political science and international relations with focus on technology strategy and governance
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley's School of Information is uniquely positioned as both a global bellwether in information science and a bridge between world-class laboratory research and Silicon Valley innovation, with deep connections to state policymakers and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Program Overview
UC Berkeley's School of Information stands as a global bellwether in the information age, offering four graduate degrees that bridge technology with social impact. The Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS) is a two-year full-time program based in the iconic South Hall, training interdisciplinary information professionals who combine computer science, cognitive science, psychology, economics, and policy. The Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) delivers a 20-month online program for working professionals, distinguished by its disciplinary breadth that goes beyond mathematics and modeling to include social science and policy research. The Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) is also a 20-month online program preparing cybersecurity leaders for complex challenges in both private and government sectors. The school also offers a Ph.D. in Information Science for next-generation scholars.
What sets Berkeley's I School apart is its commitment to translating fundamental research into real-world solutions. The school houses several active research centers including the Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC), the Center for Technology, Society & Policy, and the BioSENSE Lab. Faculty and doctoral students conduct cutting-edge research across areas from human-computer interaction to information policy, keeping the school at the vanguard of contemporary information needs. The school's location in the San Francisco Bay Area provides unparalleled access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem while maintaining the rigorous academic standards of a top-tier research university.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Long-term cybersecurity research and policy
Technology policy and societal impact research
Biosensing and health technology research
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
UW's Information School uniquely combines technical expertise with social science perspectives, offering one of the few undergraduate programs that equally emphasizes the human side of technology alongside technical skills, while UW Tacoma provides the only ABET-accredited IT program in the region with mandatory industry internships.
Program Overview
The University of Washington's Information School offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Informatics, uniquely positioned at the intersection of people, information, and technology. Located in Mary Gates Hall, this program prepares students to design, build, manage, and secure information systems through an experiential learning approach emphasizing problem-solving, group work, and real-world applications. Students can choose from three specialized tracks: the standard Informatics degree, Biomedical and Health Informatics (developed in partnership with UW Medicine's BIME department), or Data Science. The curriculum combines technical skills with social science perspectives, requiring courses from computer science, statistics, and information architecture. Meanwhile, UW Tacoma offers an ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, focusing on practical, application-based learning in system design, networking, security, and web development. This program emphasizes hands-on experience including mandatory internships and real-world problem-solving.
Degree Programs
Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Illinois operates one of the nation's premier information schools with a unique interdisciplinary approach that combines advanced technical skills with deep understanding of organizational and social challenges, producing graduates who work at major tech companies and organizations worldwide.
Cornell University
Cornell pioneered the interdisciplinary study of information science with its unique approach of examining technology through social, cultural, and human lenses - combining technical mastery with critical thinking about technology's impact on society.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
UM-Dearborn's Information Systems and Technology program uniquely positions students at the intersection of traditional engineering and digital transformation, with direct access to Detroit's automotive industry evolution and Michigan's broader technology corridor.
Syracuse University
Syracuse University's iSchool boasts the highest job placement rate (96%) and starting salaries of any school at the university, with graduates earning an average of $80,243 upon graduation - significantly above the national average for IT programs.
University of Maryland-College Park
UMD is #1 in the USA for producing computer science and information science bachelor's degrees among non-online universities, with unique access to 400+ top industry partners and federal agencies in the National Capital Region including NSA, NIST, and the Laboratory for Physical Sciences.
University of California-Los Angeles
2 information technology graduates annually
George Mason University
18 information technology graduates annually
Best Information Technology Programs - Compare Top 5 Graduate
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | 85.4/100 |
| #2 University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | 82.8/100 |
| #3 University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | 81.5/100 |
| #4 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | Public | $14,768 | 90% | 75.7/100 |
| #5 Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | Private | $65,204 | 95% | 75.7/100 |
Complete Information Technology Doctorate Rankings
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | Pittsburgh, PA | — | $62,260 | — | 85.4 |
| 2 | — | Berkeley, CA | — | $11,834 | — | 82.8 |
| 3 | — | Seattle, WA | — | $11,524 | — | 81.5 |
| 4 | — | Champaign, IL | — | $14,768 | — | 75.7 |
| 5 | — | Ithaca, NY | — | $65,204 | — | 75.7 |
| 6 | — | Ann Arbor, MI | — | $17,977 | — | 74.6 |
| 7 | — | Syracuse, NY | — | $61,310 | — | 71.2 |
| 8 | — | College Park, MD | — | $9,889 | — | 67 |
| 9 | — | Los Angeles, CA | — | $11,834 | — | 65.9 |
| 10 | — | Fairfax, VA | — | $10,095 | — | 65.8 |
| 11 | — | Williamsburg, KY | — | $9,875 | — | 63 |
| 12 | — | University Park, PA | — | $19,672 | — | 61.9 |
| 13 | — | Towson, MD | — | $7,382 | — | 61.5 |
| 14 | — | Chapel Hill, NC | — | $7,019 | — | 61.3 |
| 15 | — | Austin, TX | — | $11,678 | — | 61.1 |
| 16 | — | Albany, NY | — | $7,070 | — | 60.6 |
| 17 | — | Baltimore, MD | — | $9,238 | — | 59.8 |
| 18 | — | Denton, TX | — | $8,319 | — | 59.3 |
| 19 | — | Atlanta, GA | — | $10,258 | — | 59 |
| 20 | — | New Brunswick, NJ | — | $13,674 | — | 58.6 |
| 21 | — | Pittsburgh, PA | — | $20,154 | — | 58.2 |
| 22 | — | Laurel, MD | — | $26,088 | — | 57.9 |
| 23 | — | Madison, WI | — | $9,644 | — | 57.3 |
| 24 | — | Boulder, CO | — | $13,910 | — | 57.2 |
| 25 | — | Tallahassee, FL | — | $4,640 | — | 56.7 |
Showing 1–25 of 39
Career Paths
Computer and Information Research Scientist
SOC 15-1221Design innovative computational methods and develop new computing technologies for business, science, and engineering applications.
AI Research Scientist
SOC 15-1299Develop machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence systems for autonomous systems, natural language processing, and computer vision.
Chief Technology Officer
SOC 11-3021Lead technology strategy and oversee technical operations for organizations, setting innovation direction and managing engineering teams.
Cybersecurity Research Director
SOC 15-1212Direct security research initiatives, develop advanced threat detection systems, and lead enterprise security architecture teams.
University Professor
SOC 25-1021Conduct research, teach graduate courses, and mentor PhD students in computer science and information technology programs.
PhD vs Professional Doctorate in Information Technology
Information Technology doctorate programs fall into two primary categories: research-focused PhDs and professional doctorates (DIT/DSc). Understanding these distinctions is crucial for career planning and program selection.
PhD programs emphasize original research, dissertation completion, and academic or research career preparation. These programs typically require 4-6 years of study, including coursework, comprehensive exams, and dissertation research. According to the National Science Foundation, the median time to PhD completion in computer and information sciences is 5.8 years.
Professional doctorates like the Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) focus on applied research and industry leadership preparation. These programs typically require 3-4 years and emphasize practical problem-solving rather than theoretical research. Professional doctorate graduates often pursue executive technology roles, consulting, or specialized technical leadership positions.
Career outcomes differ significantly between degree types. PhD graduates gravitate toward research positions, with 45% entering academia and 38% joining research labs at major technology companies (NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates). Professional doctorate holders typically advance to CTO, IT Director, or senior consulting roles, with median salaries ranging from $135,000 to $180,000.
Both pathways offer excellent career prospects in emerging fields. Cybersecurity research and artificial intelligence development represent particularly high-growth areas for doctorate-level professionals.
Doctoral Program Admission Requirements and Application Strategy
Information Technology doctorate admission is highly competitive, with top programs accepting 8-15% of applicants. Successful candidates typically demonstrate strong academic credentials, research experience, and clear alignment with faculty research interests.
Academic prerequisites include a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, engineering, or related fields. Most programs require minimum GPA of 3.5 for competitive consideration, though top-tier schools often see admitted students with 3.7+ GPAs. Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores remain important, with competitive programs expecting combined verbal and quantitative scores above 320.
- Research experience through undergraduate projects, internships, or industry work
- Strong letters of recommendation from faculty or research supervisors
- Statement of purpose clearly articulating research interests and career goals
- Programming proficiency in languages relevant to target research area
- Publications or conference presentations (preferred but not required)
Application timelines typically span 12-18 months. Most programs have December deadlines for fall admission, with funding decisions announced by March. Early engagement with potential advisors through research conferences or direct outreach can significantly strengthen applications.
Funding considerations are crucial for program selection. Top PhD programs offer full funding through research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or fellowships. According to the Graduate School Survey, 78% of doctorate students in computer and information sciences receive full funding support, covering tuition and providing annual stipends ranging from $28,000 to $45,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 47 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Data Sources and Methodology
Employment projections and salary data for computer and information research scientists
Comprehensive data on doctoral degree recipients and career outcomes
Federal database of college costs, graduation rates, and post-graduation earnings
Council of Graduate Schools data on doctoral education trends and funding
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.