On this page
Key Takeaways
Best information systems degree programs: Ohio, U of Cincinnati, Ohio State
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $4,057 to $64,100/year
Eastern Gateway Community... offers the most affordable option at $4,115/yr
Information Systems degree programs available: 14 associate's, 14 master's, 2 doctoral in Ohio
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
18 online information systems degree programs in Ohio
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Ohio community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
14 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide, Root Insurance, CoverMyMeds
Tech hubs in Columbus and Cleveland
Hakia Research 2026
Information Systems degree programs near 140+ cities across Ohio
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated June 27, 2026
How we ranked Ohio Information Systems programs
We rank 56 accredited information systems programs in Ohio using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Information Systems Degree Programs in Ohio Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Information Systems Degree Rankings in Ohio
Compare the top-ranked Information Systems programs in Ohio by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Information Systems Programs in Ohio
Program Landscape
Ohio offers 14 accredited associate's degree programs in information systems, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Eastern Gateway Community..., U of Cincinnati-Blue Ash ..., Cuyahoga Community Colleg..., which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Ohio offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $6,623/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $55,099 in Ohio.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Ohio's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide, Root Insurance hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among information systems schools in Ohio, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their information systems degrees in Ohio.
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College
Show all 6 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Lakeland Community College | Kirtland, OH | Public | $4,057 | 24% | 64.0 |
Best Bachelor's Information Systems Programs in Ohio
Program Landscape
Ohio ranks among the nation's top destinations for information systems education, with 26 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 14 public and 11 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Ohio, U of Cincinnati, Ohio State, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Ohio information systems programs earn a median salary of $85,153, 13% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide, Root Insurance.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $6,210 to $47,896 annually, with an average of $19,898/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 82%, with the highest reaching 97%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Ohio's leading technology employers. For students seeking information systems degrees in Ohio, these top-ranked information systems schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Show all 15 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus | Bowling Green, OH | Public | $11,405 | 64% | 77.8 |
| #7 | University of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH | Public | $10,735 | 52% | 76.6 |
| #8 | Xavier University | Cincinnati, OH | Private nonprofit | $49,195 | 69% | 75.7 |
| #9 | University of Toledo | Toledo, OH | Public | $10,102 | 57% | 75.3 |
| #10 | Wittenberg University | Springfield, OH | Private nonprofit | $44,966 | 53% | 71.6 |
| #11 | Cleveland State University | Cleveland, OH | Public | $12,872 | 51% | 71.1 |
| #12 | Wilberforce University | Wilberforce, OH | Private nonprofit | $14,718 | 12% | 69.2 |
| #13 | Shawnee State University | Portsmouth, OH | Public | $9,448 | 48% | 67.5 |
| #14 | Wright State University-Main Campus | Dayton, OH | Public | $10,941 | 42% | 64.2 |
| #15 | Franklin University | Columbus, OH | Private nonprofit | $9,552 | 11% | 62.6 |
Best Master's Information Systems Programs in Ohio
Program Landscape
Ohio offers 14 master's degree programs in information systems, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of Cincinnati, Case Western Reserve, Ohio State, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in Ohio earn a median salary of $100,180, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide, Root Insurance actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $25,643/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among Ohio's information systems schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Show all 7 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Muskingum University | New Concord, OH | Private nonprofit | $30,894 | 56% | 67.4 |
| #7 | Wright State University-Main Campus | Dayton, OH | Public | $10,941 | 42% | 60.0 |
Best Doctoral Information Systems Programs in Ohio
Program Landscape
Ohio is home to 2 doctoral programs in information systems, preparing students for research positions, faculty appointments, and executive technical roles. Leading programs at U of Cincinnati, U of Toledo are recognized for cutting-edge research, strong faculty publications, and competitive funding packages.
Career Outcomes
Doctoral graduates command premium salaries, with Ohio PhD holders earning a median of $125,225, reflecting the advanced expertise required for research and executive positions. The Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati region's research universities and corporate R&D centers provide extensive collaboration opportunities with industry leaders like JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide, Root Insurance.
Costs & Value
PhD programs typically require 4-6 years of full-time study, including coursework, qualifying examinations, and original dissertation research. Many programs offer full funding through teaching or research assistantships, covering tuition and providing stipends of $25,000–$40,000 annually.
Curriculum & Specializations
Research strengths across Ohio programs include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, systems, and theoretical computer science. For aspiring researchers pursuing information systems degrees in Ohio, graduates go on to careers as university faculty, industry research scientists, or technical executives, contributing to advances in technology that impact millions of users worldwide.
Information Systems Degree Costs & Tuition in Ohio
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $17,668/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $44,170/year |
| Community college tuition | $4,417/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $106,008 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $26,502 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Information Systems Students in Ohio
State Aid Programs
The Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) provides up to $5,000 annually for Ohio residents with financial need (Ohio Higher Ed). Fisher College and Farmer School offer merit scholarships for undergraduate business students.
Key Programs & Amounts
The College Technology Internship Program reimburses two-thirds of intern wages up to $7,500 (Ohio Tech Internship). This connects IS students with paid internships at Fortune 500 employers.
Institutional Scholarships
Graduate assistantships cover tuition plus provide stipends for teaching or research support. Corporate sponsors fund scholarships at partner universities. Complete FAFSA by October 1 for maximum eligibility.
Information Systems Degree ROI Calculator, Ohio
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a information systems degree in Ohio. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Information Systems Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a information systems degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+802%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,483,492
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$123,810
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Information Systems Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Ohio metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Columbus | $110K |
| Cleveland | $105K |
| Cincinnati | $100K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Information Systems Graduates in Ohio
Find information systems jobs in Ohio. These major employers across Ohio metro areas are actively hiring information systems degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Information Systems Jobs in Columbus
OHColumbus is Ohio's tech hub with a strong insurtech and fintech presence, plus major data center investments.
Nearby cities: Dublin, Westerville, Worthington, Grove City
Information Systems Jobs in Cleveland
OHCleveland combines healthcare IT innovation with industrial automation and aerospace research.
Nearby cities: Akron, Parma, Independence, Beachwood
Ohio Tech Industry & Infrastructure
Ohio's tech market is reshaping rapidly around Intel's $20+ billion New Albany semiconductor fab (the largest single private investment in state history) and Honda's EV/battery joint venture with LG Energy Solution. Beyond the new chip and EV manufacturing footprint, Ohio's three major metros each host substantial enterprise/financial-services tech operations.
Columbus
Columbus metro
Fastest-growing Ohio tech metro by employment. Intel Ohio chip fab (online 2026-2027), Nationwide Insurance IT, Cardinal Health, Honda IT, Huntington Bank tech. Ohio State University is the principal CS graduate producer.
Cincinnati
Cincinnati metro
P&G's substantial IT and analytics organization, Kroger's digital transformation (84.51° data science arm), Fifth Third Bank tech, GE Aviation. Strong consumer-products data-engineering market.
Cleveland
Cleveland-Akron metro
Progressive Insurance HQ, KeyBank tech, Sherwin-Williams IT, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals medical-IT. Smaller but stable enterprise-tech market.
Ohio has a graduated state income tax (top rate ~3.5%). InvestOhio and JobsOhio's R&D tax credit are the principal state-level tech-employer incentives.
Ohio Regulation Affecting Information Systems Graduates
Ohio is unusual among states for offering an explicit cybersecurity safe-harbor through the Ohio Data Protection Act — businesses that voluntarily adopt a recognized cybersecurity framework gain affirmative defense against data-breach tort claims. This makes Ohio a relatively favorable jurisdiction for security-engineering work.
Ohio Data Protection Act (ODPA)
Provides an affirmative defense against data-breach tort claims for businesses that maintain a written cybersecurity program conforming to recognized frameworks (NIST CSF, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, HITRUST, etc.).
Strong incentive for OH-based businesses to invest in formal security programs — drives security-engineer hiring and consulting demand. Engineers building security-program-compliant systems in Ohio operate with this legal benefit in mind.
Read moreOhio Personal Information Privacy Act (proposed)
HB 376 / SB 11 (varying sessions) propose CCPA-style consumer privacy rights for Ohio residents. None has yet passed as of 2026.
Engineers should watch this space; Ohio passing comprehensive privacy would create a new compliance lane.
Read moreOhio Identity Theft & Data Breach Notification Statutes
Ohio Revised Code 1349.19 — requires data-breach notification for OH residents whose personal information was compromised.
Standard data-protection compliance for any OH-resident-serving business.
Read moreProfessional Engineer Licensure in Ohio
Ohio does not currently administer a separate Software Engineering PE license. ABET-EAC accreditation is recognized for traditional engineering PE tracks (mechanical, electrical, computer engineering); software engineering specifically is not a recognized Ohio PE discipline.
Ohio licensing boardOhio Financial Aid Programs
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)
State grantUp to $5,500/yr (varies by institution type)
Ohio residents with demonstrated financial need at OH public and private nonprofit institutions
Choose Ohio First Scholarship
STEM-specific state scholarshipAverage ~$4,700/yr (varies by institution and award)
Ohio residents pursuing STEM degrees at participating Ohio institutions; merit + financial need
Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund
State scholarshipTuition + fees
Children/spouses of OH safety officers killed in the line of duty
War Orphans & Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship
State scholarshipUp to ~$5,950/yr
Children of qualifying veterans pursuing higher education in Ohio
Transfer Pathways for Information Systems Degrees in Ohio
State Transfer System
Ohio's transfer system supports IS students beginning with business and IT foundations at community colleges. The Ohio Transfer Module guarantees transfer of general education credits (Ohio Higher Ed). Business core courses often transfer to MIS programs.
How Transfers Work
Community college pathways include Columbus State to Ohio State, Tri-C to Cleveland State, and Cincinnati State to University of Cincinnati. Associate degrees in business or IT provide affordable foundations. The 2+2 pathway saves $20,000-$40,000 in total costs.
Transfer Planning Tips
Career changers with business experience can transition through MBA programs with IS concentrations. Ohio State's MSIS and similar programs accept students from diverse undergraduate backgrounds.
Information Systems Job Growth in Ohio
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook
Information Systems Job Market & Salary Data in Ohio
Employment Outlook
Computer systems analysts earn strong salaries in Ohio with significant demand from financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. The BLS projects 10% growth for computer systems analysts through 2032. Ohio's concentration of Fortune 500 companies including Kroger, Procter & Gamble, and Nationwide creates corporate demand for IS professionals.
Salaries by Metro
In-demand information systems skills include:
- Enterprise systems: SAP, Oracle, Workday implementation and management
- Business intelligence: Tableau, Power BI, SQL Server Reporting
- Project management: Agile, Scrum, PMP certification
- Process improvement: Six Sigma, business process reengineering
- Cloud platforms: AWS, Azure enterprise architecture
High-Growth Sectors
Major employers driving IS hiring: JPMorgan Chase (Columbus) employs IS professionals for banking systems and regulatory compliance. Nationwide Insurance requires IS expertise for policy administration and claims systems. Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals employ IS professionals for Epic EHR management and healthcare operations. Procter & Gamble (Cincinnati) needs supply chain and manufacturing systems expertise.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Information Systems Programs in Ohio
Online Programs
18 available in Ohio
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Information Systems Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 37
- Median Tuition
- $15,000
- Total Programs
- 28
- Median Tuition
- $10,000
- Total Programs
- 14
- Median Tuition
- $10,200
- Total Programs
- 24
- Median Tuition
- $7,700
- Total Programs
- 113
- Median Tuition
- $21,600
- Total Programs
- 133
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 22
- Median Tuition
- $11,000
- Total Programs
- 98
- Median Tuition
- $8,700
Information Systems Degree Programs in Ohio: FAQ
What are the best information systems degree programs in Ohio?
How much do information systems degree programs cost in Ohio?
What salary can information systems degree graduates earn in Ohio?
Are there online information systems degree programs in Ohio?
What companies hire information systems degree graduates in Ohio?
Is an information systems degree program worth it in Ohio?
How long do information systems degree programs take in Ohio?
What financial aid is available for information systems degree students in Ohio?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Ohio salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.