- 1.Hakia's analysis of the best information technology doctoral degree programs reveals that information Technology PhD graduates in industry research earn $25,25 median salary (BLS, 2024), while tenure-track faculty earn $130,000,25-$25,25.
- 2.Our top-ranked doctoral programs are University of Washington-Seattle Campus, University of Virginia-Main Campus, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus—selected for research output, funding, and graduate placement.
- 3.Most PhD programs are fully funded: tuition waiver + $25,000-40,000/year stipend. You should not pay for a PhD.
- 4.Average time to degree is 5-6 years, though it varies by research area and advisor.
- 5.60% of information technology PhD graduates enter industry research (Google, Meta, Microsoft Research); 40% pursue academic careers.
Source: A information technology PhD is worth it if you want to conduct original research, whether in academia or industry research labs. Unlike master's programs, PhDs are typically fully funded (tuition + ~$35K/year stipend). Industry research scientists at Google, Meta, and OpenAI earn $200K-400K+. Academic faculty earn less but enjoy research freedom and job security.
Why Pursue a Information Technology PhD?
A PhD is the terminal research degree in information technology—required for tenure-track faculty positions and highly valued for industry research scientist roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer Support Specialists with advanced degrees can earn $98,010 or more, especially in research-focused positions.
Who Should Consider a PhD?
- Aspiring academics: Tenure-track faculty positions require a PhD
- Research scientists: Industry labs (Google Research, Microsoft Research, Meta AI) recruit PhDs for cutting-edge research
- Deep specialists: Those who want to push the boundaries of information technology
- Intellectually curious: People who find fulfillment in solving hard, unsolved problems
The PhD Value Proposition
- Fully funded: No tuition + $25K-45K/year stipend (you're paid to learn)
- Research freedom: Work on problems that interest you with expert guidance
- Career options: Both academic ($100K-200K faculty) and lucrative industry paths ($150K-400K+ research scientist)
- Expertise: Become a world expert in information technology
Important: Don't pursue a PhD just for salary gains. If your goal is maximizing income quickly, a master's + industry experience often yields better short-term returns. A PhD is a 5-6 year commitment to research mastery.
Best Information Technology PhD Programs - Top 10
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
UW iSchool is a top-ranked information school pioneering research in human-centered technology, information policy, and digital systems.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Information Technology Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #1 in information technology degree program.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus's Information Technology program graduates 61 students annually with a 97% graduation rate. Access to Seattle's thriving tech ecosystem
Hakia Insight: University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates earn $151,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on information technology curriculum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Interdisciplinary research and education in information technology materials and devices
Next-generation solar energy, battery materials and devices, and grid integration
Transform conventional and quantum optoelectronics through atomically-precise semiconductor materials
Complex nanomaterials for information processing, sensing, energy, and research tools
Scalable software libraries for simulating molecular structures on extreme-scale computing systems
Data-intensive discovery and data science techniques for large, complex, and noisy data
Design, fabrication, and integration of scalable nano-engineered devices and systems
Location Advantages
- •Access to Seattle's thriving tech ecosystem
- •Proximity to major technology companies like Amazon and Microsoft
- •Connection to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- •Access to Boeing Advanced Research Center
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Google, Meta
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of Virginia-Main Campus
UVA CS offers a rigorous PhD with strong faculty mentorship and guaranteed funding for research in systems, AI, and information technology.
University of Virginia-Main Campus Information Technology Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of Virginia-Main Campus as the #2 in information technology degree program.
University of Virginia-Main Campus's Information Technology program graduates 18 students annually with a 96% graduation rate. Virginia location with proximity to DC tech corridor and government agencies
Hakia Insight: University of Virginia-Main Campus's direct partnerships with Microsoft and Google give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Virginia location with proximity to DC tech corridor and government agencies
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Capital One, Microsoft, Google, government, academic positions
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Tech is one of the oldest and most established graduate computing institutions, placing graduates at top academic and industry positions worldwide.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Information Technology Program Overview
Hakia ranks Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus as the #3 in information technology degree program.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's Information Technology program graduates 43 students annually with a 76% graduation rate. Access to Atlanta's technology hub
Hakia Insight: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's direct partnerships with Google and Microsoft give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Access to Atlanta's technology hub
- •Proximity to major corporations and startups
- •Strong industry connections in the Southeast
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Microsoft, Amazon, top faculty positions, Fortune 500
Admissions
University of Pennsylvania
Penn CIS combines rigorous computer science with information science perspectives, offering Machine Learning + X concentration.
University of Pennsylvania Information Technology Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of Pennsylvania as the #4 in information technology degree program.
University of Pennsylvania's Information Technology program graduates 23 students annually with a 100% graduation rate. Philadelphia location with proximity to NYC finance tech and DC government
Hakia Insight: University of Pennsylvania's industry network — including Google and Microsoft — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Philadelphia location with proximity to NYC finance tech and DC government
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Microsoft, Amazon, finance tech, academic positions
Admissions
New York University
NYU's merged CS PhD combines Courant's mathematical rigor with Tandon's engineering applications for comprehensive IT research training.
New York University Information Technology Program Overview
Hakia ranks New York University as the #5 in information technology degree program.
New York University offers comprehensive Information Technology programs at multiple degree levels, combining rigorous academics with practical experience. NYC location with unmatched access to finance tech, media, and startup ecosystem
Hakia Insight: New York University graduates earn $122,800, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on information technology curriculum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •NYC location with unmatched access to finance tech, media, and startup ecosystem
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Amazon, Bank of America, Citi, J.P. Morgan, Oracle
Admissions
The University of Texas at Austin
UT Austin CS is a top-10 program with broad faculty expertise and strong industry connections in Austin's growing tech hub.
The University of Texas at Austin Information Technology Program Overview
Hakia ranks The University of Texas at Austin as the #6 in information technology degree program.
The University of Texas at Austin's Information Technology program graduates 28 students annually with a 89% graduation rate. Austin technology hub
Hakia Insight: The University of Texas at Austin graduates earn $100,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on information technology curriculum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Austin technology hub
- •Access to UT Austin research resources
- •Connection to Discovery to Impact commercialization program
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Deloitte, SalesForce
Admissions
Rice University
Rice CS offers intimate cohort size with guaranteed funding and strong faculty mentorship in software engineering and systems.
Rice University Information Technology Program Overview
Hakia ranks Rice University as the #7 in information technology degree program.
Rice University's Information Technology program graduates 15 students annually with a 93% graduation rate. Houston location with Texas Medical Center partnerships and energy sector connections
Hakia Insight: Rice University's industry network — including Google and Microsoft — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
computational biology and bioinformatics
robotics and artificial intelligence
computer systems and engineering
programming languages, high performance computing, and formal methods
machine learning and data science
quantum computing
Location Advantages
- •Houston location with Texas Medical Center partnerships and energy sector connections
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Microsoft, Amazon, energy sector, academic positions
Admissions
Northeastern University
Khoury College is the only network science PhD program in the US with interdisciplinary focus on information technology systems.
Northeastern University Information Technology Program Overview
Hakia ranks Northeastern University as the #8 in information technology degree program.
Northeastern University offers comprehensive Information Technology programs at multiple degree levels, combining rigorous academics with practical experience. Prime Boston tech hub position
Hakia Insight: Northeastern University graduates earn $85,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on information technology curriculum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Prime Boston tech hub position
- •Direct access to Fortune 500 technology operations centers
- •Proximity to academic research collaborators across MIT and Harvard
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
Johns Hopkins University
JHU CS combines rigorous PhD training with access to Applied Physics Lab and medical informatics through the medical school.
Johns Hopkins University Information Technology Program Overview
Hakia ranks Johns Hopkins University as the #9 in information technology degree program.
Johns Hopkins University offers comprehensive Information Technology programs at multiple degree levels, combining rigorous academics with practical experience. Access to Mid-Atlantic business corridor
Hakia Insight: Johns Hopkins University graduates earn $150,924, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on information technology curriculum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Access to Mid-Atlantic business corridor
- •Proximity to government agencies including FDA
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Amazon, Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Johnson & Johnson, Morgan Stanley
Admissions
University at Buffalo
UB CSE offers fully funded PhD with strong research funding and alumni placed at top tech firms, startups, and university presidencies.
University at Buffalo Information Technology Program Overview
Hakia ranks University at Buffalo as the #10 in information technology degree program.
University at Buffalo's Information Technology program graduates 33 students annually with a 95% graduation rate. Buffalo location with lower cost of living and strong regional tech presence
Hakia Insight: University at Buffalo's direct partnerships with Google and Microsoft give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Buffalo location with lower cost of living and strong regional tech presence
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, academic positions
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
Best Information Technology PhD Programs - Top 10 — Complete Program Data
#1. University of Washington-Seattle Campus Information Technology Program
Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #1 in information technology degree program. Location: Seattle, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,524/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 100.0
What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus stand out: UW iSchool is a top-ranked information school pioneering research in human-centered technology, information policy, and digital systems.
Hakia Insight: University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates earn $151,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on information technology curriculum.
Program Overview: UW Information School offers a theoretical, research-based PhD focusing on human involvement with information. Students come from diverse backgrounds including information science, computer science, library services, and IT management.
Degree Programs: Bachelors in Information Technology; Master of Science in Information Systems; Master Supply Chain Management; PhD in Information Systems; PhD in Operations Management; Technology Management MBA; Full-time MBA
Research Labs: Center for Materials and Devices for Information Technology Research - Interdisciplinary research and education in information technology materials and devices; Clean Energy Institute - Next-generation solar energy, battery materials and devices, and grid integration; Center for Integration of Modern Optoelectronic Materials on Demand - Transform conventional and quantum optoelectronics through atomically-precise semiconductor materials; Molecular Engineering Materials Center - Complex nanomaterials for information processing, sensing, energy, and research tools; Center for Scalable Predictive Methods for Excitations and Correlated Phenomena - Scalable software libraries for simulating molecular structures on extreme-scale computing systems; eScience Institute - Data-intensive discovery and data science techniques for large, complex, and noisy data; Institute for Nano-Engineered Systems - Design, fabrication, and integration of scalable nano-engineered devices and systems
Industry Partners: Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Google, Meta, Blue Origin, T-Mobile, lululemon, Costco, Expedia, Nintendo, Nordstrom, NVIDIA, PACCAR, Remitly, Starbucks, Zillow, Deloitte, Apple, EY, Nestlé USA, Salesforce
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 89% | Top Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Google, Meta, Blue Origin, Deloitte, Starbucks | Common Roles: Technology Management, Operations Management, Information Systems, Consulting, Product Management
Notable Faculty: Dr. Yong Tan (Information Systems and Operations Management)
Admissions:
Accreditations: ABET
#2. University of Virginia-Main Campus Information Technology Program
Hakia ranks University of Virginia-Main Campus as the #2 in information technology degree program. Location: Charlottesville, VA | Type: Public | Tuition: $18,823/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 93.4
What makes University of Virginia-Main Campus stand out: UVA CS offers a rigorous PhD with strong faculty mentorship and guaranteed funding for research in systems, AI, and information technology.
Hakia Insight: University of Virginia-Main Campus's direct partnerships with Microsoft and Google give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.
Program Overview: UVA Computer Science PhD prepares students for research careers in academia and industry. Students receive First-Year Research Assistantships with full financial support including stipend, tuition, and health insurance.
Degree Programs: B.S. in Commerce with IT Concentration; M.S. in Management of IT
Research Labs: Systems Research Lab; Machine Learning Lab; Security Lab
Industry Partners: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Capital One, defense contractors
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 93%+ | Top Employers: Capital One, Microsoft, Google, government, academic positions
Admissions:
Accreditations: Information Technology, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity Analysis
#3. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Information Technology Program
Hakia ranks Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus as the #3 in information technology degree program. Location: Atlanta, GA | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,258/year | Graduation Rate: 76% | Score: 91.8
What makes Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus stand out: Georgia Tech is one of the oldest and most established graduate computing institutions, placing graduates at top academic and industry positions worldwide.
Hakia Insight: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's direct partnerships with Google and Microsoft give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.
Program Overview: Georgia Tech College of Computing PhD program was established in 1969 as one of the earliest graduate computing programs. The highly individualized program prepares students for academia, industry, and government careers.
Degree Programs: BS; MS; PhD
Research Labs: College of Computing Research Labs; Institute for Information Security & Privacy; Machine Learning Center
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Home Depot, AT&T
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 95%+ | Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, top faculty positions, Fortune 500
Notable Faculty: Maryam Alavi (Knowledge management and generative AI); Eric Overby (Digital inequality and mobile internet); Sri Narasimhan (Digital inequality research); Gerald Kane (Social media networks); D.J. Wu (Platform strategies and connected products)
Admissions:
#4. University of Pennsylvania Information Technology Program
Hakia ranks University of Pennsylvania as the #4 in information technology degree program. Location: Philadelphia, PA | Type: Private | Tuition: $58,620/year | Graduation Rate: 100% | Score: 90.9
What makes University of Pennsylvania stand out: Penn CIS combines rigorous computer science with information science perspectives, offering Machine Learning + X concentration.
Hakia Insight: University of Pennsylvania's industry network — including Google and Microsoft — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Program Overview: Penn CIS PhD welcomes candidates in disciplines related to computer science, information processing, and computing. The curriculum develops skills for the rapidly changing character of research in both academia and industry.
Degree Programs: MCIT (2 years); MCIT Online (flexible); MCIT-CIS/MSE Dual Degree
Research Labs: Penn Research in Machine Learning; GRASP Robotics Lab; Security Lab
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Comcast, finance firms
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 96%+ | Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, finance tech, academic positions
Notable Faculty: Thomas Farmer (Program Director, MCIT Online)
Admissions:
#5. New York University Information Technology Program
Hakia ranks New York University as the #5 in information technology degree program. Location: New York, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $60,438/year | Score: 90.7
What makes New York University stand out: NYU's merged CS PhD combines Courant's mathematical rigor with Tandon's engineering applications for comprehensive IT research training.
Hakia Insight: New York University graduates earn $122,800, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on information technology curriculum.
Program Overview: NYU is launching a newly-merged PhD in Computer Science through collaboration between Tandon School of Engineering and Courant Institute starting Fall 2026. The unified program combines foundational math, computing principles, and engineering applications.
Degree Programs: PhD in Computer Science (unified Courant/Tandon)
Research Labs: Center for Data Science; Courant Institute Labs; NYU Shanghai CS Research
Industry Partners: Amazon, Bank of America, Barclays, CBS, Citi, Con Edison, Federal Reserve, J.P. Morgan, Oracle, Prudential
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 95%+ | Top Employers: Amazon, Bank of America, Citi, J.P. Morgan, Oracle | Common Roles: Application Developer, Data Analyst, Engagement Manager, Information Security Analyst, Software Developer, Systems Engineer
Notable Faculty: Bohdan Hawryluk (Information Systems and Technology)
Admissions:
#6. The University of Texas at Austin Information Technology Program
Hakia ranks The University of Texas at Austin as the #6 in information technology degree program. Location: Austin, TX | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,678/year | Graduation Rate: 89% | Score: 90.1
What makes The University of Texas at Austin stand out: UT Austin CS is a top-10 program with broad faculty expertise and strong industry connections in Austin's growing tech hub.
Hakia Insight: The University of Texas at Austin graduates earn $100,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on information technology curriculum.
Program Overview: UT Austin offers MS and PhD research degrees in Computer Science with expertise in AI, systems, theory, and security. Students research from their first semester and can pursue an MSCS during doctoral studies.
Degree Programs: PhD in Computer Science; PhD in Information Science (iSchool)
Research Labs: Texas Advanced Computing Center; AI Lab; Systems Lab; Security Lab
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Meta, Dell, AMD, Oracle
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 95%+ | Top Employers: Google, Deloitte, SalesForce | Common Roles: Data Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Cloud Engineer, Software Engineer, Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Technical Product Manager, IT Consultant
Notable Faculty: Associate Dean Jade DeKinder (Information Technology and Management)
Admissions:
#7. Rice University Information Technology Program
Hakia ranks Rice University as the #7 in information technology degree program. Location: Houston, TX | Type: Private | Tuition: $57,210/year | Graduation Rate: 93% | Score: 89.5
What makes Rice University stand out: Rice CS offers intimate cohort size with guaranteed funding and strong faculty mentorship in software engineering and systems.
Hakia Insight: Rice University's industry network — including Google and Microsoft — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Program Overview: Rice CS PhD prepares students for careers in research and education with a 4-6 year program balancing theory and practice. Faculty research spans algorithms, AI, computer engineering, systems, and programming languages.
Degree Programs: PhD; MCS In-Person; MCS Online; MDS Online
Research Labs: Computational Biology & Bioinformatics - computational biology and bioinformatics; Robotics & AI - robotics and artificial intelligence; Computer Systems & Engineering - computer systems and engineering; Programming Languages, HPC & Formal Methods - programming languages, high performance computing, and formal methods; Machine Learning & Data Science - machine learning and data science; Quantum Computing - quantum computing
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, energy companies, medical center partners
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 92%+ | Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, energy sector, academic positions
Admissions:
#8. Northeastern University Information Technology Program
Hakia ranks Northeastern University as the #8 in information technology degree program. Location: Boston, MA | Type: Private | Tuition: $62,000/year | Score: 89.0
What makes Northeastern University stand out: Khoury College is the only network science PhD program in the US with interdisciplinary focus on information technology systems.
Hakia Insight: Northeastern University graduates earn $85,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on information technology curriculum.
Program Overview: Northeastern Khoury College PhD in Computer Science prepares students for academia, research labs, and technical leadership. The rigorous curriculum covers AI, HCI, software, systems, security, and theory.
Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); BS in Information Systems (4 years); MS in Computer Science (1.5-2 years); MS in Information Systems (2 years)
Research Labs: Network Science Institute; Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute; AI Lab
Industry Partners: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Cisco, IBM, Accenture
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 93%+
Notable Faculty: David Choffnes (Network security and performance measurement); Christo Wilson (Systems security and web performance); Alex Pentland (Data science and human dynamics)
Admissions:
Accreditations: ABET accredited
#9. Johns Hopkins University Information Technology Program
Hakia ranks Johns Hopkins University as the #9 in information technology degree program. Location: Baltimore, MD | Type: Private | Tuition: $62,840/year | Score: 88.8
What makes Johns Hopkins University stand out: JHU CS combines rigorous PhD training with access to Applied Physics Lab and medical informatics through the medical school.
Hakia Insight: Johns Hopkins University graduates earn $150,924, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on information technology curriculum.
Program Overview: JHU CS PhD prepares scholars for academia, research institutes, industry, or government laboratories. All students receive financial support and are matched with faculty advisors based on research interests.
Degree Programs: Bachelors in Information Technology; Master of Science in Information Systems; Master of Science in Information Systems and Artificial Intelligence for Business
Research Labs: Applied Physics Laboratory; Center for Language and Speech Processing; Machine Learning Lab
Industry Partners: Amazon, AT&T, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Johnson & Johnson, Morgan Stanley, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC), Procter & Gamble, Wells Fargo, Booz Allen Hamilton, Capital One, KPMG US, Lockheed Martin, United States Food and Drug Administration
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 94%+ | Top Employers: Amazon, Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Johnson & Johnson, Morgan Stanley, PwC | Common Roles: Consultant, Financial Analyst, Senior Business Analyst, Senior Consultant, Data Analyst, Project Manager
Notable Faculty: Dr. Jessica Gill (Molecular biology and biomarker analysis using advanced proteomics platforms); Chelsea Wagner (Clinical Translational Laboratory operations)
Admissions:
#10. University at Buffalo Information Technology Program
Hakia ranks University at Buffalo as the #10 in information technology degree program. Location: Buffalo, NY | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,070/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 85.8
What makes University at Buffalo stand out: UB CSE offers fully funded PhD with strong research funding and alumni placed at top tech firms, startups, and university presidencies.
Hakia Insight: University at Buffalo's direct partnerships with Google and Microsoft give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.
Program Overview: UB CSE PhD is a 5-year full-time doctorate requiring 72 credits with research spanning AI, systems, and theory. Faculty average $4.5 million annually in external research awards; ranked 26th nationally for research support.
Degree Programs: BS Information Technology and Management; BS/MS Combined Degree
Research Labs: AI Lab; Systems Lab; Bioinformatics Lab; Machine Learning Lab
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, M&T Bank
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90%+ | Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, academic positions
Admissions:
Accreditations: STEM
Full Information Technology Doctoral Rankings 2026
| Rank | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | 97% | 100 |
| 2 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville, VA | Public | 96% | 93.4 |
| 3 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | Public | 76% | 91.8 |
| 4 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Private | 100% | 90.9 |
| 5 | New York University | New York, NY | Private | — | 90.7 |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | Public | 89% | 90.1 |
| 7 | Rice University | Houston, TX | Private | 93% | 89.5 |
| 8 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Private | — | 89 |
| 9 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | Private | — | 88.8 |
| 10 | University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Public | 95% | 85.8 |
| 11 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | Public | 95% | 85.4 |
| 12 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | Public | 92% | 85 |
| 13 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | Public | 95% | 84.9 |
| 14 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | Public | 93% | 83.6 |
| 15 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | Public | 82% | 82 |
| 16 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | Public | 83% | 81.4 |
| 17 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | Public | — | 78.5 |
| 18 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | Public | 81% | 77.5 |
| 19 | University of North Texas | Denton, TX | Public | 70% | 77.1 |
| 20 | University of the Cumberlands | Williamsburg, KY | Private | 75% | 76 |
| 21 | The University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson, TX | Public | 77% | 76 |
| 22 | Northcentral University | San Diego, CA | Private | — | 73.7 |
| 23 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | Public | 76% | 70.9 |
| 24 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | Public | 87% | 69.4 |
| 25 | Middle Georgia State University | Macon, GA | Public | 96% | 45.5 |
Research Areas & Specializations
PhD programs in information technology offer multiple specialization tracks. Your research area determines your advisor options, publication venues, and career trajectories.
Key Information Technology Research Areas
- IT Service Management
- IT Infrastructure
- End-User Computing
- IT Operations
- Technical Support
Emerging Research Topics (2024-2025)
- IT Service Quality
- Technology Support Systems
- IT Operations Research
- Human-Computer Interaction
- IT Infrastructure Optimization
Choosing Your Specialization: Your research area should align with your interests, available advisors, and career goals. Review faculty research pages and recent publications. Attend seminars and read papers from top venues in information technology to understand current research directions.
Publication Venues: Check CSRankings.org to see which conferences and journals are most prestigious for your chosen specialization. Top-tier venues vary significantly by subfield.
Finding the Right Advisor
Your advisor is the single most important factor in PhD success. A good advisor shapes your research trajectory, opens networking opportunities, and directly impacts your career outcomes. According to data from NSF's Survey of Earned Doctorates, advisor-student fit is strongly correlated with time to degree and completion rates.
What to Look For in an Advisor:
- Research alignment: Their work should genuinely excite you—you'll spend 5+ years on related problems
- Advising style: Some are hands-on, others hands-off. Know what you need and ask current students
- Funding stability: Do they have ongoing grants? Have they consistently funded students?
- Student outcomes: Where did their graduates end up? Academia? Industry? How long did they take?
- Lab culture: Talk to current students privately about work-life balance and lab dynamics
Red Flags to Avoid:
- High student turnover or many students leaving without degrees
- Faculty who are rarely available or traveling constantly
- Labs where students seem stressed, isolated, or unhappy
- Advisors with a history of conflicts or complaints
Pro tip: Email 2-3 current students and ask: "What do you wish you knew before joining this lab?" Their candid responses will tell you more than any faculty website.
PhD Funding & Stipends
You should not pay for a PhD.
Top programs offer full funding packages covering tuition plus a competitive stipend. According to CSStipendRankings.org and PhDStipends.com, computer science stipends range from $18,000 at lower-paying programs to $50,000+ at top institutions.
2024-25 Stipend Examples:
- Brown University: $49,000/year ($4,084/month) - Graduate School
- Duke University: Full funding for 5 years including tuition, fees, insurance, and stipend - CS Department
- Emory University: $37,467/year for CS/Informatics PhDs - Graduate School
- Mid-tier programs: Typically $25,000-35,000/year with full tuition waiver
Funding Sources:
- Research Assistantships (RA): Work on faculty research; most common funding source
- Teaching Assistantships (TA): Lead discussion sections, grade assignments
- Fellowships: Competitive awards (NSF GRFP, NDSEG, university fellowships) with higher stipends and research freedom
- Grants: Faculty research grants often fund PhD students
Cost of Living Warning: Use PhDStipends.com to compare living wage ratios, which normalize stipends to local cost of living. A $35K stipend in a low-cost city may provide better quality of life than $50K in San Francisco.
PhD Milestones & Timeline
The NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates tracks time to degree across all fields. Computer science PhDs typically take 5-6 years to complete, though this varies by research area and institution.
Typical PhD Timeline:
- Years 1-2: Coursework, rotations (if applicable), identify research area, pass qualifying exams
- Years 2-3: Thesis proposal, begin independent research, first publications
- Years 3-5: Core research, conference publications, build professional network
- Years 5-6: Complete dissertation, defend, job market
Key Milestones:
- Qualifying Exam: Usually year 1-2; tests breadth of knowledge and/or research potential
- Thesis Proposal: Year 2-3; defines your dissertation scope and convinces committee it's viable
- Candidacy: After proposal passes; you're now "ABD" (All But Dissertation)
- Dissertation Defense: Final oral exam presenting your complete research
What affects time to degree: Research area complexity, advisor expectations, publication requirements, whether you switch topics, and how quickly you identify a viable research direction.
Application Process
PhD admissions are highly competitive. According to ProFellow, top programs accept 5-15% of applicants. The process differs significantly from undergraduate or master's admissions.
Typical Application Components:
- Statement of Purpose: Your research interests, why this program, and potential advisors (2-3 pages)
- Letters of Recommendation: 3 letters, ideally from research supervisors who know your work deeply
- CV/Resume: Emphasize research experience, publications, and technical projects
- GRE Scores: Many programs have made GRE optional since 2020; check requirements
- Transcripts: Strong grades help, but research experience often matters more
- Research samples: Some programs request writing samples or research proposals
Timeline:
- September-November: Research programs, contact potential advisors, prepare materials
- December 1-15: Most application deadlines
- January-March: Interview invitations (virtual or in-person visit days)
- March-April 15: Admission decisions; April 15 is the standard decision deadline
Critical tip: Reach out to potential advisors before applying. A brief, professional email expressing genuine interest in their research can significantly improve your chances—especially if they respond positively and mention your application to the admissions committee.
Industry Research vs Academic Faculty Careers
| Factor | Industry Research | Academic Faculty |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Salary | $150,000-$200,000+ | $100,000-$140,000 |
| Salary Ceiling | $300,000-$500,000+ (with equity) | $150,000-$250,000 |
| Job Security | Project-dependent, at-will | Tenure after 6-7 years |
| Research Freedom | Aligned with company goals | High autonomy after tenure |
| Publication Pressure | Varies by company | Essential for tenure |
| Resources | Well-funded, large compute | Grant-dependent |
| Work-Life Balance | Generally better | Highly variable |
| Impact Timeline | Faster deployment | Long-term influence |
| Typical Employers | Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI | Universities, research institutes |
Source: Salary data from [CRA Taulbee Survey](https://cra.org/resources/taulbee-survey/) and [Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/)
Choosing Your Career Path
Industry research is right for you if:
- Compensation is a priority
- You want to see research deployed at scale
- You prefer shorter feedback loops
- You're comfortable with more directed research agendas
- Geographic flexibility is important (industry hubs)
Academia is right for you if:
- Research freedom is paramount
- You want to mentor the next generation
- Job security matters more than peak compensation
- You enjoy teaching
- You want to pursue long-term, speculative research
Increasingly blurred lines: Many researchers move between academia and industry. Some professors consult extensively; some industry researchers teach courses. The choice isn't permanent.
Postdoc Pathways
A postdoc is a temporary research position after completing your PhD. According to Academic Positions, postdoc salaries average $61,000-$72,000 in 2024, with most positions lasting 2-3 years.
When is a Postdoc Necessary?
- Academic careers: Often expected, especially at research universities. Strengthens your publication record and expands your network.
- Industry careers: Rarely necessary—most industry research labs hire directly from PhD programs
- Switching fields: A postdoc can help you pivot to a new research area
- Building independence: Develops skills in grant writing, lab management, and independent research
Postdoc Considerations:
- Duration: 1-3 years typical; longer postdocs can signal difficulty finding permanent positions
- Salary gap: Postdocs earn significantly less than industry PhDs—factor this into your decision
- Location flexibility: Postdocs often require relocation; be prepared to move
- Exit strategy: Have a clear plan for what comes after the postdoc
Important: In computer science, a postdoc is increasingly optional. Strong PhD graduates with good publication records can go directly to tenure-track positions or industry research roles.
Publication Expectations
Publications are the currency of academic research. In computer science, conference papers (not journals) are the primary publication venue, unlike most other fields.
Typical Publication Expectations:
- Minimum for graduation: 2-4 peer-reviewed publications (varies by program and advisor)
- Competitive job market: 5+ publications with at least 1-2 at top-tier venues
- Top-tier venues: NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR, ACL, SIGCOMM, SOSP, PLDI (varies by subfield)
- First-author papers: Critical for demonstrating independent research ability
Publication Timeline:
- Year 1-2: Workshop papers, co-authored papers with senior students
- Year 3-4: First-author publications at good venues
- Year 5+: Aim for top venues, build a coherent research narrative for job market
Quality vs Quantity: One strong paper at a top venue (NeurIPS, ICML, etc.) often matters more than several papers at lower-tier venues. Focus on impactful work that others will cite and build upon.
Resources: Check CSRankings.org to understand which venues matter most in your subfield and how faculty are evaluated by publication record.
Top States for Information Technology Doctoral Programs
| State | Total Programs | Median Tuition | Top Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in California | 25 | $9,500 | University of California |
| Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in Texas | 20 | $8,500 | University of Texas |
| Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in New York | 18 | $12,000 | SUNY |
| Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in Florida | 15 | $6,500 | University of Florida |
| Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in Virginia | 12 | $11,000 | Virginia Tech |
| Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania | 14 | $14,000 | Penn State |
Software Engineering Career Track
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Information Technology PhD Frequently Asked Questions
Data Sources
Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions
Computer science research publication rankings by faculty
May 2024 salary data for research positions
Related Information Technology Resources
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.