Best Information Technology Master's Degree Programs 2026

Best Information Technology Programs - Top 10 Master's — Complete Program Data

1. #1. University of California-Berkeley Master's Information Technology Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Berkeley as the #1 master's in information technology degree program. Location: Berkeley, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 100.0

   What makes University of California-Berkeley stand out: 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.

   Hakia Insight: Located in UC Berkeley's South Hall

   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: Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS) (2 years); Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) (20 months); Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) (20 months); Ph.D. in Information Science (about 6 years)

   Research Labs: Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC) - Long-term cybersecurity research and policy; Center for Technology, Society & Policy - Technology policy and societal impact research; BioSENSE Lab - Biosensing and health technology research

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Dean Eric T. Meyer (information science leadership); Deirdre Mulligan (AI and tech governance); Joshua Blumenstock (AI for poverty reduction); David Bamman (digital humanities and AI)

   Admissions:

2. #2. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Master's Information Technology Program

   Hakia ranks Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus as the #2 master's in information technology degree program. Location: Atlanta, GA | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,258/year | Graduation Rate: 76% | Score: 98.2

   What makes Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus stand out: Georgia Tech SCP ranked #2 in cybersecurity nationally. OMS Cybersecurity is only interdisciplinary online degree from Top 10 public university for under $12,000. Information Security track covers secure software development, identity management, and forensics with hands-on lab.

   Hakia Insight: With a 17% acceptance rate, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's information technology program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: Georgia Tech School of Cybersecurity and Privacy ranked #2 in Cybersecurity. Founded September 2020, building on 20+ years of cybersecurity excellence. Offers BS Computer Engineering with Cybersecurity thread and MS Cybersecurity with three specializations.

   Degree Programs: BS; MS; PhD

   Research Labs: School of Cybersecurity and Privacy - Security research; Georgia Tech Research Institute - Applied security

   Industry Partners: NSA, Lockheed Martin, NCR

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Lockheed Martin, NCR, Google, Microsoft, NSA | Common Roles: Security Engineer, Security Analyst, Penetration Tester

   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: | Acceptance Rate: 17%

   Accreditations: NSA CAE-CD

3. #3. Columbia University in the City of New York Master's Information Technology Program

   Hakia ranks Columbia University in the City of New York as the #3 master's in information technology degree program. Location: New York, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $64,526/year | Graduation Rate: 100% | Score: 95.3

   What makes Columbia University in the City of New York stand out: Columbia CS uniquely combines Ivy League academic rigor with Manhattan's tech ecosystem, offering specialized pathways like the dual MS in Journalism and Computer Science and faculty-invite-only personalized tracks that leverage the university's position as a global research hub in one of the world's major technology centers.

   Hakia Insight: Columbia University in the City of New York's Machine Learning Research Groups creates a direct research-to-career pipeline with New York City Tech Industry, bridging academic research and industry practice.

   Program Overview: Columbia University's Computer Science program sits at the heart of Manhattan's vibrant tech ecosystem, offering a comprehensive Master of Science degree that spans ten specialized pathways from Machine Learning to Computational Biology. The 30-credit program requires students to complete coursework at the 4000 level or above, with at least 6 points at the advanced 6000 level, while maintaining a 2.7 GPA. What sets Columbia apart is its faculty-determined pathway system that allows deep specialization in areas like Computer Security, Natural Language Processing, Vision Graphics Interaction and Robotics, and Software Systems, alongside unique offerings like the dual MS in Journalism and Computer Science. The program leverages Columbia's position in New York City to provide unparalleled industry connections and career opportunities across multiple sectors. Students can participate in state-of-the-art research within the department's specialized labs and research groups, while the Columbia Video Network (CVN) option extends access to working professionals. The department also offers an innovative MS Bridge Program and maintains strong ties to Columbia Engineering's broader research ecosystem, including partnerships with the Data Science Institute and various interdisciplinary centers.

   Degree Programs: MS in Computer Science (2 years); Dual MS in Journalism and Computer Science (5 semesters); MS Bridge Program (2 years); Computer Engineering MS (2 years)

   Research Labs: Machine Learning Research Groups - Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning pathway research; Vision and Robotics Labs - Computer vision, graphics, interaction, and robotics research; Security and Privacy Research Groups - Computer security, privacy, and cryptography; Natural Language Processing Labs - Speech and language processing research

   Industry Partners: New York City Tech Industry

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions: GPA: Minimum 2.7 GPA to maintain standing

   Accreditations: STEM-designated

4. #4. University of Washington-Seattle Campus Master's Information Technology Program

   Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #4 master's in information technology degree program. Location: Seattle, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,524/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 93.0

   What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus stand out: 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.

   Hakia Insight: Students at University of Washington-Seattle Campus benefit from active collaborations with Amazon and Microsoft, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   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: 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: 94% of MSIM alumni felt program prepared them for current role, 93% reported full-time employment after graduation | Top Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Salesforce, DocuSign, Epic Games, F5 Networks, Expedia, SAP, PwC | Common Roles: User Experience Designer, Business Analyst, Software Engineer, Data Analyst, Product Manager, Technical Program Manager, Information Security Analyst, Database Administrator

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Yong Tan (Information Systems and Operations Management)

   Admissions: GPA: 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA, 2.0 minimum in each prerequisite course | Acceptance Rate: Capacity constrained - competitive admission

   Accreditations: ABET Accredited (UW Tacoma IT program)

5. #5. Carnegie Mellon University Master's Information Technology Program

   Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University as the #5 master's in information technology degree program. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private | Tuition: $62,260/year | Graduation Rate: 98% | Score: 89.9

   What makes Carnegie Mellon University stand out: 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.

   Hakia Insight: Carnegie Mellon University leverages partnerships with Oracle and Microsoft to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.

   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: Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (4 years); Master of Information Technology Strategy (MITS) (12-16 months); Master of Science in Health Care Analytics & Information Technology (MSHCA) (varies)

   Research Labs: CyLab Security and Privacy Institute - Cutting-edge security and privacy research with experts from multiple disciplines collaborating on AI security, IoT devices, and blockchain; Language Technologies Institute - Natural language processing, computational linguistics, machine translation, speech processing, and multimodal computing; Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology - Political science and international relations with focus on technology strategy and governance

   Industry Partners: Oracle, Microsoft, Apple, Google, ServiceNow, Barclays, Deloitte, DoorDash, Visa

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: Strong job market with high demand for IS students in recent years | Top Employers: Oracle, Microsoft, Barclays, Deloitte, Apple, Google, DoorDash, Visa | Common Roles: Data Scientists, Software Engineers, Military Cyber Operations Officers, AI and Machine Learning Engineers, Business Technology Analysts, Security Engineers

   Notable Faculty: Joe Mertz (Faculty Director); Gary DiLisio (Director of Undergraduate Education); Dr. Mark Gardner (CMIST graduate program manager)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for MITS program

   Accreditations: STEM-designated degree for MITS program

6. #6. University of Pennsylvania Master's Information Technology Program

   Hakia ranks University of Pennsylvania as the #6 master's in information technology degree program. Location: Philadelphia, PA | Type: Private | Tuition: $58,620/year | Graduation Rate: 100% | Score: 87.8

   What makes University of Pennsylvania stand out: Penn's MSE in Data Science stands out for its unique depth area specialization system, allowing students to apply data science techniques across diverse fields from digital humanities to public policy, all while being housed in the newly opened Amy Gutmann Hall—the dedicated hub for data science innovation backed by a $60 million IDEAS initiative.

   Hakia Insight: University of Pennsylvania's industry network — including Google and Microsoft — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.

   Program Overview: The University of Pennsylvania's Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Data Science represents a cutting-edge program that can typically be completed in 1.5 to 2 years. Led by Program Director Susan Davidson, this interdisciplinary degree blends foundational courses in machine learning, big data analytics, and statistics with specialized depth areas ranging from digital humanities at the Price Lab to biomedical informatics and public policy through the Penn Wharton Budget Model. What sets Penn's approach apart is its emphasis on domain specialization—students don't just learn data science techniques, but apply them in focused areas like network science through the Warren Center for Network and Data Science, or biomedicine through the Institute for Biomedical Informatics. The program is housed within Penn's School of Engineering and Applied Science and benefits from the university's strong cross-disciplinary traditions. Students complete ten courses total: two foundational units, three core requirements, and five technical electives that allow for deep specialization. The curriculum culminates in either a thesis or practicum project, giving students hands-on experience applying data science techniques to real-world challenges. With the recent opening of Amy Gutmann Hall as the new hub for data science at Penn, the program is positioned at the center of a $60 million Innovation in Data Engineering and Science (IDEAS) initiative that's driving aggressive faculty hiring in AI, data science, and machine learning.

   Degree Programs: MCIT (2 years); MCIT Online (flexible); MCIT-CIS/MSE Dual Degree

   Research Labs: Warren Center for Network and Data Science - Network science applications and methodologies; Price Lab for Digital Humanities - Data science applications in humanities research; Institute for Biomedical Informatics - Healthcare and biomedical data science; Innovation in Data Engineering and Science (IDEAS) - Data-driven scientific discovery, autonomous systems, and neuroengineering with $60 million investment

   Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Facebook

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Susan Davidson (Data science program direction and database systems); Dr. René Vidal (Mathematical foundations of deep learning, computer vision, biomedical data science)

   Admissions:

7. #7. New York University Master's Information Technology Program

   Hakia ranks New York University as the #7 master's in information technology degree program. Location: New York, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $60,438/year | Score: 87.5

   What makes New York University stand out: NYU Tandon is one of only select institutions recognized by the NSA as a Center of Academic Excellence in both Cyber Operations and Cyber Defense Research, with students conducting research in the NSF-funded OSIRIS Laboratory alongside internationally renowned cybersecurity experts.

   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 Tandon School of Engineering's Master of Science in Cybersecurity stands as one of the nation's premier cybersecurity programs, recognized by the National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence in both Cyber Operations and Cyber Defense Research. The 30-credit program offers remarkable flexibility with on-campus, fully online, and blended learning options, allowing students to customize their educational experience. Students work closely with internationally renowned faculty in the National Science Foundation-funded OSIRIS (Offensive Security, Incident Response, and Internet Security) Laboratory, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge cybersecurity research. The curriculum combines rigorous theoretical foundations with practical applications through 4 core courses, 3 breadth electives, and 3 depth electives, with specialized tracks in Cyber Defense and Cyber Operations that align with NSA designation requirements.

   Degree Programs: MS in Cybersecurity (2 years)

   Research Labs: OSIRIS Laboratory (Offensive Security, Incident Response, and Internet Security) - NSF-funded research in offensive security, incident response, and internet security; NYU Center for Cybersecurity (CCS) - Interdisciplinary research institute spanning NYU School of Law, Tandon Engineering, and Steinhardt, with locations in NYC and Abu Dhabi

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Bank of America, Barclays, CBS, Citi, Con Edison, Federal Reserve, J.P. Morgan, Oracle, Prudential

   Career Outcomes: | 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: Damon McCoy (Co-Director of NYU Center for Cybersecurity); Justin Cappos (Cybersecurity research); Ramesh Karri (Electrical and Computer Engineering, cybersecurity); Nasir Memon (Cybersecurity)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations, NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research

8. #8. University of California-Irvine Master's Information Technology Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Irvine as the #8 master's in information technology degree program. Location: Irvine, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 87.1

   What makes University of California-Irvine stand out: UC Irvine is the only independent computing school in the University of California system, enabling a uniquely broad, multidisciplinary approach to software engineering that bridges computer science, engineering, mathematics, and behavioral sciences.

   Hakia Insight: University of California-Irvine's industry network — including Amazon and Google — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.

   Program Overview: UC Irvine's Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences offers two distinct Master of Software Engineering pathways designed for different career goals. The Master of Software Engineering (MSWE) is a professionally-oriented program offering both 15-month full-time and 24-month part-time tracks, specifically tailored for working professionals and career changers. This program emphasizes practical skills through internships and industry capstone projects, with comprehensive coverage of AI for Software Engineering (AI4SE) tools and Software Engineering for AI (SE4AI) systems. For those seeking research-focused training, the M.S. Software Engineering (MSSE) program provides a heavily research-oriented experience requiring thesis completion and designed as preparation for doctoral studies or research careers in corporate and government laboratories. The school's faculty lead cutting-edge research through specialized labs including the Software Engineering and Analysis Lab (SEAL), the Software Engineering & Testing Using Artificial Intelligence for Reliable Software (STAIRS) lab, and collaborations with the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2).

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); BS in Informatics (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years); PhD in Computer Science (5-6 years)

   Research Labs: Software Engineering and Analysis Lab (SEAL) - Software engineering research and analysis; Software Engineering & Testing Using Artificial Intelligence for Reliable Software (STAIRS) - AI-enhanced software testing and reliability; California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2) - Telecommunications and information technology research

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Amazon, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Capital One, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Costar Group, Veeva Systems, Northrop Grumman

   Notable Faculty: Marios C. Papaefthymiou (Dean of Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

9. #9. Cornell University Master's Information Technology Program

   Hakia ranks Cornell University as the #9 master's in information technology degree program. Location: Ithaca, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $65,204/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 86.8

   What makes Cornell University stand out: Cornell uniquely offers both a fully-funded research MS in Ithaca with mandatory teaching experience and a one-year industry-focused MEng at Cornell Tech in NYC, where students build actual products for real companies through the first-of-its-kind Studio curriculum.

   Hakia Insight: Students at Cornell University benefit from active collaborations with Google and Amazon, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: Cornell University offers multiple pathways into computer science graduate education, each with distinct advantages for different career trajectories. The Master of Science in Computer Science, housed at Cornell's Ithaca campus, represents a highly selective, research-intensive program that combines advanced coursework with mandatory thesis research and teaching assistantships. This four-semester program requires 34 credit hours, including 6-12 credits of thesis research, and provides full funding through teaching assistantships for students maintaining good standing. In New York City, Cornell Tech offers a one-year Master of Engineering in Computer Science designed for immediate industry impact, featuring the innovative Studio curriculum where students build complete digital solutions for real companies in cross-disciplinary teams with business and law students. The Ithaca MS program particularly appeals to self-motivated researchers who thrive in mentoring environments, as students gain valuable teaching experience with undergraduates while conducting specialized research. Cornell Tech's Manhattan location provides direct access to NYC's tech ecosystem, with students working on innovation challenges from real companies and learning from faculty with extensive industry experience. Both programs benefit from Cornell's broader research infrastructure, including world-class facilities like the Cornell Center for Advanced Computing and specialized research groups in artificial intelligence, security and privacy, and human-computer interaction.

   Degree Programs: BS (4 years); MS (1-2 years); MBA (1 year); LLM; PhD

   Research Labs: Artificial Intelligence - AI research; Business & Entrepreneurship - business applications; Data & Modeling - data science; Human-Centered Computing - human-computer interaction; Law & Policy - technology law; MakerLAB - design and prototyping; Security & Privacy - cybersecurity; Technology, Society, & Ethics - ethical technology

   Industry Partners: Google, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, Bloomberg, Uber, The New York Times, Oscar Health, ZocDoc

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90% of Cornell Tech CS graduates accept Software Developer roles | Top Employers: Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft | Common Roles: Software Developer, Product Manager, Program Manager, Data Scientist, Research positions

   Notable Faculty: Vitaly Shmatikov (Digital privacy, computer security, machine learning security); Yoav Artzi (Natural language processing, machine learning); Noah Snavely (Computer vision, computer graphics); Helen Nissenbaum (Ethics and policy in technology)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: AI for Engineers Certificate available at Cornell Tech

10. #10. University at Buffalo Master's Information Technology Program

    Hakia ranks University at Buffalo as the #10 master's in information technology degree program. Location: Buffalo, NY | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,070/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 86.4

    What makes University at Buffalo stand out: University at Buffalo provides accessible information systems education with strong regional employer connections.

    Program Overview: University at Buffalo offers programs in information systems for students seeking careers in technology. The program provides foundational and advanced coursework to prepare graduates for industry roles.

    Degree Programs: BS Information Technology and Management; BS/MS Combined Degree

    Career Outcomes:

    Admissions:

    Accreditations: STEM