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Cornell University
Doctorate in Information TechnologyOn-campus
Ithaca, NYPrivate nonprofit
$134,050 median salary · 95% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- $134,050 median salary
- $68,380 in-state tuition
- 15 graduates annually
On this page
Key Takeaways
- 1.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 shouldn't 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.
Quick Answer: Is a Information Technology PhD Worth It?
Answer
Yes for research careers - fully funded with $25,25+ outcomes
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 advanced 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
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Carnegie Mellon University
Doctorate in Information TechnologyFully online
Pittsburgh, PAPrivate nonprofit
$134,050 median salary · 94% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 94% graduation rate
- $134,050 median salary
- $64,596 in-state tuition
- 11 graduates annually
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University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Doctorate in Information TechnologyOn-campus
Cincinnati, OHPublic
$134,050 median salary · 75% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 75% graduation rate
- $134,050 median salary
- $11,685 in-state tuition
- 3 graduates annually
#4
George Mason University
Doctorate in Information TechnologyOn-campus
Fairfax, VAPublic
$134,050 median salary · 68% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 68% graduation rate
- $134,050 median salary
- $10,392 in-state tuition
- 12 graduates annually
#5
Towson University
Doctorate in Information TechnologyOn-campus
Towson, MDPublic
$134,050 median salary · 69% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 69% graduation rate
- $134,050 median salary
- $7,530 in-state tuition
- 7 graduates annually
#6
Capitol Technology University
Doctorate in Information TechnologyFully online
Laurel, MDPrivate nonprofit
$134,050 median salary · 43% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 43% graduation rate
- $134,050 median salary
- $26,350 in-state tuition
- 8 graduates annually
#7
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Doctorate in Information TechnologyOn-campus
San Antonio, TXPublic
$134,050 median salary · 53% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 53% graduation rate
- $134,050 median salary
- $6,266 in-state tuition
- 2 graduates annually
#8
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Doctorate in Information TechnologyFully online
Greensboro, NCPublic
$134,050 median salary · 56% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 56% graduation rate
- $134,050 median salary
- $4,422 in-state tuition
- 2 graduates annually
#9
Oakland University
Doctorate in Information TechnologyOn-campus
Rochester Hills, MIPublic
$134,050 median salary · 58% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 58% graduation rate
- $134,050 median salary
- $17,167 in-state tuition
- 3 graduates annually
#10
University of the Cumberlands
Doctorate in Information TechnologyFully online
Williamsburg, KYPrivate nonprofit
$134,050 median salary · 50% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 50% graduation rate
- $134,050 median salary
- $9,875 in-state tuition
- 84 graduates annually
Best Information Technology PhD Programs - Top 10, Complete Program Data
#1. Cornell University — Doctorate Information Technology
Hakia ranks Cornell University's doctorate information technology program #1. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Ithaca, NY | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $68,380/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Median Salary: $134,050 | Score: 93.5
#2. Carnegie Mellon University — Doctorate Information Technology (Online)
Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University's online doctorate information technology program #2. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: fully online. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $64,596/year | Graduation Rate: 94% | Median Salary: $134,050 | Score: 88.9
#3. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus — Doctorate Information Technology
Hakia ranks University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's doctorate information technology program #3. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Cincinnati, OH | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,685/year | Graduation Rate: 75% | Median Salary: $134,050 | Score: 84.7
#4. George Mason University — Doctorate Information Technology
Hakia ranks George Mason University's doctorate information technology program #4. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Fairfax, VA | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,392/year | Graduation Rate: 68% | Median Salary: $134,050 | Score: 79.4
#5. Towson University — Doctorate Information Technology
Hakia ranks Towson University's doctorate information technology program #5. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Towson, MD | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,530/year | Graduation Rate: 69% | Median Salary: $134,050 | Score: 78.7
#6. Capitol Technology University — Doctorate Information Technology (Online)
Hakia ranks Capitol Technology University's online doctorate information technology program #6. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: fully online. Location: Laurel, MD | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $26,350/year | Graduation Rate: 43% | Median Salary: $134,050 | Score: 70.1
#7. The University of Texas at San Antonio — Doctorate Information Technology
Hakia ranks The University of Texas at San Antonio's doctorate information technology program #7. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: San Antonio, TX | Type: Public | Tuition: $6,266/year | Graduation Rate: 53% | Median Salary: $134,050 | Score: 69.8
#8. University of North Carolina at Greensboro — Doctorate Information Technology (Online)
Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Greensboro's online doctorate information technology program #8. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: fully online. Location: Greensboro, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,422/year | Graduation Rate: 56% | Median Salary: $134,050 | Score: 69.4
#9. Oakland University — Doctorate Information Technology
Hakia ranks Oakland University's doctorate information technology program #9. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Rochester Hills, MI | Type: Public | Tuition: $17,167/year | Graduation Rate: 58% | Median Salary: $134,050 | Score: 68.6
#10. University of the Cumberlands — Doctorate Information Technology (Online)
Hakia ranks University of the Cumberlands's online doctorate information technology program #10. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: fully online. Location: Williamsburg, KY | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $9,875/year | Graduation Rate: 50% | Median Salary: $134,050 | Score: 68.2
Full Information Technology Doctoral Rankings 2026
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Doctorate in Information Technology Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $68,380 | 95% | $134,050 | 93.5 |
| #2 | Doctorate in Information Technology Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit | Online | $64,596 | 94% | $134,050 | 88.9 |
| #3 | Doctorate in Information Technology University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH · Public | On-campus | $11,685 | 75% | $134,050 | 84.7 |
| #4 | Doctorate in Information Technology George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA · Public | On-campus | $10,392 | 68% | $134,050 | 79.4 |
| #5 | Doctorate in Information Technology Towson UniversityTowson, MD · Public | On-campus | $7,530 | 69% | $134,050 | 78.7 |
| #6 | Doctorate in Information Technology Capitol Technology UniversityLaurel, MD · Private nonprofit | Online | $26,350 | 43% | $134,050 | 70.1 |
| #7 | Doctorate in Information Technology The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX · Public | On-campus | $6,266 | 53% | $134,050 | 69.8 |
| #8 | Doctorate in Information Technology University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC · Public | Online | $4,422 | 56% | $134,050 | 69.4 |
| #9 | Doctorate in Information Technology Oakland UniversityRochester Hills, MI · Public | On-campus | $17,167 | 58% | $134,050 | 68.6 |
| #10 | Doctorate in Information Technology University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg, KY · Private nonprofit | Online | $9,875 | 50% | $134,050 | 68.2 |
| #11 | Doctorate in Information Technology University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE · Public | On-campus | $6,758 | 47% | $134,050 | 66.2 |
| #12 | Doctorate in Information Technology Capella UniversityMinneapolis, MN · Private for-profit | Online | $14,400 | 20% | $134,050 | 64.8 |
| #13 | Doctorate in Information Technology Middle Georgia State UniversityMacon, GA · Public | Online | $4,176 | 25% | $134,050 | 58.3 |
Showing all 13 ranked programs.
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 | 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/)
Top States for Information Technology Doctoral Programs
Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in California
- Total Programs
- 25
- Median Tuition
- $9,500
Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in Texas
- Total Programs
- 20
- Median Tuition
- $8,500
Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in New York
- Total Programs
- 18
- Median Tuition
- $12,000
Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in Florida
- Total Programs
- 15
- Median Tuition
- $6,500
Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in Virginia
- Total Programs
- 12
- Median Tuition
- $11,000
Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania
- Total Programs
- 14
- Median Tuition
- $14,000
Information Technology PhD Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pay for a PhD program?
No. Legitimate research-focused PhD programs are fully funded (tuition waiver + stipend). If a program asks you to pay, it's likely not worth your time. Self-funded PhD programs are often cash cows for universities with poor placement outcomes.
How long does a PhD take?
Median time-to-degree in information technology is 5-6 years. Machine learning and applied areas tend to be faster (5 years). Theory and systems sometimes longer (6+ years). Very few finish in 4 years. Some take 7+.
Do I need a master's degree before a PhD?
No. Most U.S. PhD programs admit students directly from bachelor's. In fact, a separate master's can slow you down, many PhD programs don't transfer master's credits. Exception: career changers sometimes benefit from a master's to build prerequisites.
What GPA do I need for PhD admission?
Most top programs expect 3.5+ GPA, but research experience matters far more than GPA. A student with a 3.4 GPA and multiple research publications will beat a 4.0 student with no research experience.
Is the GRE required for PhD programs?
Increasingly optional. Many top programs (MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, CMU) made GRE optional post-2020. Where required, strong scores help but can't compensate for weak research experience.
How competitive is PhD admission?
Very competitive. Top-10 programs accept 5-15% of applicants. However, there are 50+ excellent PhD programs. Applying broadly across ranking tiers (8-12 schools) is essential.
Can I do a PhD part-time while working?
No. PhD programs expect full-time commitment. Some industry research positions (Google PhD Program) allow you to work while completing a PhD, but this is rare and highly competitive.
What's the ROI of a PhD vs master's?
Financially complex. PhDs take longer but are free (funded), while master's programs are often self-paid. Industry research salaries are very high ($200K-400K+), but you could have earned ~$600K-900K working those 5-6 years instead. The ROI is best for those pursuing research passions, not pure salary maximization.
How We Rank Information Technology Degree Programs
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
We scored 13 doctoral information technology programs on the Hakia Score, a 0 to 100 composite drawn from federal IPEDS 2024 and BLS figures, and Cornell University's Doctorate in Information Technology sits at the top. Graduates step into a field where the median wage runs about $134,050.
Ranking Factors
Program Completions35%
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Graduation Rate25%
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Selectivity20%
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
Career Outcomes20%
National salary data for information technology graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Ranking Categories
Best Programs
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Online Programs
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Most Affordable
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Data Sources
- IPEDS 2024 — Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
- BLS OEWS 2024 — National and metro salary data by occupation
- CIP Code Mapping — Programs identified using Classification of Instructional Programs codes
Data Sources
Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions
Computer science research publication rankings by faculty
May 2024 salary data for research positions
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.