- 1.IT Managers earn a median salary of $98,740 with 15% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Information Technology programs include University of Maryland Global Campus, Cornell University, University of Washington-Seattle Campus based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of Maryland Global Campus offers information technology education at $7,632/year with 74% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Information Technology programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Information Technology Programs - Top 10 Best Value
University of Maryland Global Campus
2001 information technology graduates annually
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 for Information Technology based on 74% graduation rate, 2001 graduates, and overall score of 84.4/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 74% graduation rate
- 2001 information technology graduates annually
- Accredited institution
Cornell University
Cornell pioneered the interdisciplinary study of information science with its unique approach of examining technology through social, cultural, and human lenses - combining technical mastery with critical thinking about technology's impact on society.
Program Overview
Cornell's Information Technology program spans multiple innovative degree pathways within the Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, offering both technical depth and interdisciplinary breadth. The flagship Bachelor of Science in Information Science, Systems, and Technology, housed in Cornell Engineering, uniquely combines information systems engineering with human-centered design principles. Students can also pursue Information Science degrees through the College of Arts & Sciences (BA) or College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (BS), each with distinct interdisciplinary focuses. Cornell Tech in NYC extends these opportunities with cutting-edge master's programs that blend technical rigor with entrepreneurial training through their innovative Studio curriculum.
The program distinguishes itself through its emphasis on the intersection of technology and humanity, offering specialized concentrations from Data Science and Interactive Technologies to Information Ethics and UX Design. Students engage with world-class research initiatives spanning artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and digital policy through centers like the Cornell Center for Data Science and the Program of Computer Graphics. With strong industry partnerships and a 90% employment rate for 2024 graduates earning a mean starting salary of $94,000, Cornell's IT programs prepare students to tackle real-world challenges where technology meets human needs.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Interdisciplinary research involving Architecture, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Psychology
Data science applications for business and societal challenges
Industry Partners
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
UW's Information School uniquely combines technical expertise with social science perspectives, offering one of the few undergraduate programs that equally emphasizes the human side of technology alongside technical skills, while UW Tacoma provides the only ABET-accredited IT program in the region with mandatory industry internships.
Program Overview
The University of Washington's Information School offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Informatics, uniquely positioned at the intersection of people, information, and technology. Located in Mary Gates Hall, this program prepares students to design, build, manage, and secure information systems through an experiential learning approach emphasizing problem-solving, group work, and real-world applications. Students can choose from three specialized tracks: the standard Informatics degree, Biomedical and Health Informatics (developed in partnership with UW Medicine's BIME department), or Data Science. The curriculum combines technical skills with social science perspectives, requiring courses from computer science, statistics, and information architecture. Meanwhile, UW Tacoma offers an ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, focusing on practical, application-based learning in system design, networking, security, and web development. This program emphasizes hands-on experience including mandatory internships and real-world problem-solving.
Degree Programs
Admissions
University of Maryland-College Park
UMD is #1 in the USA for producing computer science and information science bachelor's degrees among non-online universities, with unique access to 400+ top industry partners and federal agencies in the National Capital Region including NSA, NIST, and the Laboratory for Physical Sciences.
University of California-San Diego
UCSD's CSE program operates within the prestigious Jacobs School of Engineering at a top-10 public university, offering unique access to cutting-edge research facilities including the Qualcomm Institute Innovation Space where students can collaborate directly with industry startups and established companies in a 6,000-square-foot incubation facility.
Syracuse University
Syracuse University's iSchool boasts the highest job placement rate (96%) and starting salaries of any school at the university, with graduates earning an average of $80,243 upon graduation - significantly above the national average for IT programs.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
UM-Dearborn's Information Systems and Technology program uniquely positions students at the intersection of traditional engineering and digital transformation, with direct access to Detroit's automotive industry evolution and Michigan's broader technology corridor.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
489 information technology graduates annually
Columbia University in the City of New York
13 information technology graduates annually
Northwestern University
88 information technology graduates annually
Best Information Technology Programs - Compare Top 5 Best Value
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of Maryland Global Campus | Adelphi, MD | Public | $7,632 | 74% | 84.4/100 |
| #2 Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | Private | $65,204 | 95% | 74.1/100 |
| #3 University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | 73/100 |
| #4 University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | Public | $9,889 | 84% | 72.4/100 |
| #5 University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | $11,834 | 81% | 70/100 |
Top 50 Best Value IT Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Maryland Global Campus | Adelphi, MD | Public | $7,632 | 74% | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | Private | $65,204 | 95% | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | — | — | — | — |
| 4 | University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | Public | $9,889 | 84% | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | $11,834 | 81% | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | Private | $61,310 | 99% | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | Public | $17,977 | 92% | — | — | — | — |
| 8 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | Public | $19,672 | 87% | — | — | — | — |
| 9 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | Private | $64,526 | 100% | — | — | — | — |
| 10 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | Private | $64,887 | 90% | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | — | — | — | — |
| 12 | University of Phoenix-Arizona | Phoenix, AZ | For-Profit | $9,552 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 13 | Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | For-Profit | $12,100 | 89% | — | — | — | — |
| 14 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 15 | Strayer University-Global Region | Washington, DC | For-Profit | $13,725 | 100% | — | — | — | — |
| 16 | CUNY New York City College of Technology | Brooklyn, NY | Public | $6,930 | 98% | — | — | — | — |
| 17 | Washington University in St Louis | Saint Louis, MO | Private | $61,750 | 97% | — | — | — | — |
| 18 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | Public | $13,674 | 82% | — | — | — | — |
| 19 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | Public | $7,019 | 93% | — | — | — | — |
| 20 | Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | Public | $5,140 | 99% | — | — | — | — |
| 21 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | Public | $14,768 | 90% | — | — | — | — |
| 22 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | New York, NY | Public | $6,930 | 62% | — | — | — | — |
| 23 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County | Baltimore, MD | Public | $9,238 | 90% | — | — | — | — |
| 24 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | Public | $9,718 | 83% | — | — | — | — |
| 25 | James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA | Public | $7,914 | 95% | — | — | — | — |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Information Technology Degree Value Analysis
Information Technology degrees offer exceptional return on investment, with graduates earning median salaries of $58,000-$85,000 depending on specialization and location. Our comprehensive analysis of 394 accredited IT programs reveals that public universities consistently deliver the highest value, with some programs offering 20-year ROI exceeding $800,000.
The IT job market remains robust with 22% projected growth through 2032 (BLS Employment Projections), creating over 377,000 new positions annually. IT professionals work across diverse sectors including cloud computing, cybersecurity, network administration, and systems analysis, providing excellent job security and advancement opportunities.
When evaluating program value, consider not just tuition costs but also graduation rates, job placement outcomes, and regional salary variations. Programs in tech hubs like California and Washington typically produce higher-earning graduates, while public universities in states like Georgia and North Carolina offer exceptional value propositions with low tuition and strong industry connections.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Design and develop software applications, systems, and platforms using various programming languages and frameworks.
Information Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Plan and implement security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems.
Network and Computer Systems Administrator
SOC 15-1244Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and network segments.
Computer Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Analyze an organization's current computer systems and procedures and design improvements to increase efficiency.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Create or organize systems to store and secure data, ensuring data is available to users and protected from unauthorized access.
Web Developer
SOC 15-1254Design and create websites, focusing on either front-end user experience or back-end functionality and databases.
IT Project Manager
SOC 11-3021Plan and direct computer-related activities in an organization, including implementing technology solutions and managing IT teams.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Use analytical, statistical, and programming skills to collect, analyze, and interpret large data sets for business insights.
IT Programs by State: Value Analysis
California
Texas
Florida
New York
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Ohio
North Carolina
Georgia
Virginia
Michigan
Washington
Arizona
Colorado
Massachusetts
Financial Aid and Funding Strategies
Federal financial aid significantly impacts the true cost of IT education, with 87% of students receiving some form of assistance (Federal Student Aid Annual Report 2023). The average Pell Grant award of $4,491 can reduce effective tuition costs by 25-50% at public institutions, making already affordable programs even more accessible to low-income students.
Technology-specific scholarships and employer tuition reimbursement programs provide additional funding opportunities for IT students. Major tech companies including Amazon, Microsoft, and Google offer scholarship programs targeting underrepresented groups, while many employers provide tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 annually for employees pursuing relevant degrees.
State-specific aid programs can substantially reduce costs for residents. For example, Georgia's HOPE Scholarship covers full tuition at public universities for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA, while Texas offers various merit-based programs. Students should research FAFSA and grant opportunities early in the application process to maximize financial aid eligibility.
Choose the Right IT Program for Your Goals
- You want the highest overall ROI and can qualify for in-state tuition
- Location in a major tech hub appeals to you
- You value prestigious program reputation and alumni network
- Strong research opportunities interest you
- You prefer a strong engineering-focused curriculum
- Washington D.C. metro job market appeals to you
- You value excellent student support and campus culture
- Government contracting and defense industry interests you
- Minimizing total educational costs is your priority
- Research Triangle's tech ecosystem interests you
- You want strong industry partnerships and internship opportunities
- Smaller class sizes and faculty interaction matter to you
- You qualify for significant in-state tuition discounts
- Building local/regional professional networks is important
- You prefer staying near family and existing support systems
- Minimizing student debt is a primary concern
Frequently Asked Questions About IT Program Value
Based on 394 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Information Technology degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific information technology salaries from BLS OES 2024
Data Sources and Methodology
Comprehensive data on postsecondary institutions including enrollment, graduation rates, and financial information
Current salary data for IT occupations by geographic region and industry
10-year job growth projections for computer and information technology occupations
Student outcomes and financial data for individual institutions
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.