University campus in North Carolina
Updated January 2026

Best Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina — 2026 Rankings

Compare the top information technology colleges in North Carolina. 78 accredited information technology schools ranked by graduation rate, career outcomes, and value—from Wake Technical Community College to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

#1 ProgramU of North Carolina at Ch...
Avg Salary$107,340
Tuition From$2,076/yr
Job Growth+22%
Reviewed by Taylor Rupe, Founder & EditorSee methodology

88

Programs ranked

IPEDS 2023

$107,340

North Carolina median information technology salary

BLS OEWS 2024

86/100

Top program score

Hakia methodology

13%

U.S. job growth (2023–33)

BLS projections

Key Takeaways

Best information technology degree programs: U of North Carolina at Ch..., North Carolina A & T State, U of North Carolina at Ch...

Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality

IPEDS 2023

Tuition ranges from $1,000 to $40,400/year

Wake Technical Community ... offers the most affordable option at $2,076/yr

IPEDS 2023

Information Technology degree programs available: 56 associate's, 7 master's, 2 doctoral in North Carolina

From community college pathways to advanced research degrees

IPEDS 2023

24 online information technology degree programs in North Carolina

Flexible scheduling for working professionals

IPEDS 2023

North Carolina community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs

56 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees

Education Commission of the States

Major employers: IBM, Cisco, Red Hat, SAS

Tech hubs in Raleigh and Charlotte

Hakia Research 2026

Information Technology degree programs near 92+ cities across North Carolina

Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location

IPEDS 2023

Updated February 2026

On This Page

How we ranked North Carolina Information Technology programs

We rank 88 accredited information technology programs in North Carolina using IPEDS 2023 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.

Program completions (35%)Graduation rate (25%)Selectivity (20%)Career outcomes (20%)
See full methodology
$107,340
Are Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina Worth It?
Yes. The best information technology degree programs in North Carolina deliver strong ROI—graduates earn $107,340 median salary with +22% job growth through 2032. In-state tuition averages $7,010/year.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024

Best Information Technology Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina, 2026

23
Programs
$107,340
Median Salary
$18,148/yr
Avg Tuition
85%
Avg Grad Rate

Rankings based on program completions, graduation rates, selectivity, and career outcomes. See our methodology

Program Landscape

North Carolina ranks among the nation's top destinations for information technology education, with 23 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 9 public and 13 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are U of North Carolina at Ch..., North Carolina A & T State, U of North Carolina at Ch..., recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.

Career Outcomes

Graduates from North Carolina information technology programs earn a median salary of $91,239—7% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including IBM, Cisco, Red Hat.

Costs & Value

Tuition ranges from $1,000 to $40,400 annually, with an average of $18,148/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 85%, with the highest reaching 94%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.

Curriculum & Specializations

Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to North Carolina's leading technology employers. For students seeking information technology degrees in North Carolina, these top-ranked information technology schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.

Earn your bachelor's in Information Technology

(Sponsored)

Loading programs...

🥇

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public
Chapel Hill, NC
$7,019
Tuition/yr
$292
Per Credit
93%
Grad Rate
85.7
Score
Website

Why it ranks #1: Scored 86/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from graduation rate (9.3/10) and program scale (8.6/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
8.6/10

ExceptionalInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
9.3/10

Exceptional93% completion [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

🥈

North Carolina A & T State University

PublicNSA CAE
Greensboro, NC
$3,540
Tuition/yr
$148
Per Credit
84%
Grad Rate
77.7
Score
Website

Why it ranks #2: Scored 78/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from graduation rate (8.4/10) and program scale (7.8/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
7.8/10

StrongInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
8.4/10

Strong84% completion [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

🥉

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

PublicNSA CAE
Charlotte, NC
$3,812
Tuition/yr
$159
Per Credit
76%
Grad Rate
76.3
Score
Website

Why it ranks #3: Scored 76/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from program scale (7.6/10) and graduation rate (7.6/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
7.6/10

StrongInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
7.6/10

Strong76% completion [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

#4

East Carolina University

PublicNSA CAE
Greenville, NC
$4,452
Tuition/yr
$185
Per Credit
50.8
Score
Website

Why it ranks #4: Scored 51/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from career outcomes (7.2/10) and selectivity (5.8/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
5.1/10

AverageInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
5.1/10

AverageNot reported [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

#5

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Public
Wilmington, NC
$4,443
Tuition/yr
$185
Per Credit
79%
Grad Rate
57.8
Score
Website

Why it ranks #5: Scored 58/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from graduation rate (7.9/10) and career outcomes (7.2/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
5.8/10

Above averageInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
7.9/10

Strong79% completion [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

Best Information Technology Master's Programs in North Carolina, 2026

7
Programs
$107,340
Median Salary
$5,667/yr
Avg Tuition
84%
Avg Grad Rate

Rankings based on program completions, graduation rates, selectivity, and career outcomes. See our methodology

Program Landscape

North Carolina offers 7 master's degree programs in information technology, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs—U of North Carolina at Ch..., North Carolina A & T State, U of North Carolina at Ch...—combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.

Career Outcomes

Master's graduates in North Carolina earn a median salary of $107,340, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with IBM, Cisco, Red Hat actively recruiting from these programs.

Costs & Value

Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $5,667/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.

Curriculum & Specializations

Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among North Carolina's information technology schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.

Advance your career with a Information Technology master's degree

(Sponsored)

Loading programs...

🥇

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public
Chapel Hill, NC
$7,019
Tuition/yr
$292
Per Credit
93%
Grad Rate
77.3
Score
Website

Why it ranks #1: Scored 77/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from graduation rate (9.3/10) and program scale (7.7/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
7.7/10

StrongInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
9.3/10

Exceptional93% completion [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

🥈

North Carolina A & T State University

PublicNSA CAE
Greensboro, NC
$3,540
Tuition/yr
$148
Per Credit
84%
Grad Rate
60.8
Score
Website

Why it ranks #2: Scored 61/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from graduation rate (8.4/10) and career outcomes (7.2/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
6.1/10

Above averageInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
8.4/10

Strong84% completion [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

🥉

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

PublicNSA CAE
Charlotte, NC
$3,812
Tuition/yr
$159
Per Credit
76%
Grad Rate
77.2
Score
Website

Why it ranks #3: Scored 77/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from program scale (7.7/10) and graduation rate (7.6/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
7.7/10

StrongInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
7.6/10

Strong76% completion [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

#4

North Carolina Central University

Public
Durham, NC
$3,728
Tuition/yr
$156
Per Credit
87%
Grad Rate
53.1
Score
Website

Why it ranks #4: Scored 53/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from graduation rate (8.7/10) and career outcomes (7.2/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
5.3/10

AverageInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
8.7/10

Exceptional87% completion [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

#5

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Public
Wilmington, NC
$4,443
Tuition/yr
$185
Per Credit
79%
Grad Rate
50.1
Score
Website

Why it ranks #5: Scored 50/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from graduation rate (7.9/10) and career outcomes (7.2/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
5.0/10

AverageInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
7.9/10

Strong79% completion [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

Best Information Technology Associate's Programs in North Carolina, 2026

56
Programs
$107,340
Median Salary
$2,985/yr
Avg Tuition

Rankings based on program completions, graduation rates, selectivity, and career outcomes. See our methodology

Program Landscape

North Carolina offers 56 accredited associate's degree programs in information technology, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Wake Technical Community ..., Guilford Technical Commun..., Forsyth Technical Communi..., which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.

Costs & Value

Community colleges in North Carolina offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $2,985/yr—significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $59,037 in North Carolina.

Career Pathways

Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with North Carolina's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like IBM, Cisco, Red Hat hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.

Curriculum & Specializations

Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among information technology schools in North Carolina, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their information technology degrees in North Carolina.

Start your Information Technology career with an associate's degree

(Sponsored)

Loading programs...

🥇

Wake Technical Community College

Public
Raleigh, NC
$2,076
Tuition/yr
$76
Per Credit
64.5
Score
Website

Why it ranks #1: Scored 65/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from career outcomes (7.2/10) and program scale (6.5/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
6.5/10

Above averageInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
6.5/10

Above averageNot reported [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

🥈

Guilford Technical Community College

Public
Jamestown, NC
$2,128
Tuition/yr
$76
Per Credit
50.9
Score
Website

Why it ranks #2: Scored 51/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from career outcomes (7.2/10) and selectivity (5.8/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
5.1/10

AverageInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
5.1/10

AverageNot reported [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

🥉

Forsyth Technical Community College

PublicNSA CAE
Winston-Salem, NC
$1,824
Tuition/yr
$76
Per Credit
48.4
Score
Website

Why it ranks #3: Scored 48/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from career outcomes (7.2/10) and selectivity (5.8/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
4.8/10

AverageInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
4.8/10

AverageNot reported [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

#4

Fayetteville Technical Community College

Public
Fayetteville, NC
$2,432
Tuition/yr
$76
Per Credit
48.6
Score
Website

Why it ranks #4: Scored 49/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from career outcomes (7.2/10) and selectivity (5.8/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
4.9/10

AverageInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
4.9/10

AverageNot reported [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

#5

Central Piedmont Community College

Public
Charlotte, NC
$2,432
Tuition/yr
$76
Per Credit
48.3
Score
Website

Why it ranks #5: Scored 48/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from career outcomes (7.2/10) and selectivity (5.8/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
4.8/10

AverageInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
4.8/10

AverageNot reported [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

Best Information Technology Doctoral Programs in North Carolina, 2026

2
Programs
$107,340
Median Salary
$5,416/yr
Avg Tuition
84%
Avg Grad Rate

Rankings based on program completions, graduation rates, selectivity, and career outcomes. See our methodology

Program Landscape

North Carolina is home to 2 doctoral programs in information technology, preparing students for research positions, faculty appointments, and executive technical roles. Leading programs at U of North Carolina at Ch..., U of North Carolina at Ch... are recognized for cutting-edge research, strong faculty publications, and competitive funding packages.

Career Outcomes

Doctoral graduates command premium salaries, with North Carolina PhD holders earning a median of $134,175—reflecting the advanced expertise required for research and executive positions. The Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham region's research universities and corporate R&D centers provide extensive collaboration opportunities with industry leaders like IBM, Cisco, Red Hat.

Costs & Value

PhD programs typically require 4-6 years of full-time study, including coursework, qualifying examinations, and original dissertation research. Many programs offer full funding through teaching or research assistantships, covering tuition and providing stipends of $25,000–$40,000 annually.

Curriculum & Specializations

Research strengths across North Carolina programs include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, systems, and theoretical computer science. For aspiring researchers pursuing information technology degrees in North Carolina, graduates go on to careers as university faculty, industry research scientists, or technical executives, contributing to advances in technology that impact millions of users worldwide.

Reach the top of your field with a Information Technology doctorate

(Sponsored)

Loading programs...

🥇

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

PublicNSA CAE
Charlotte, NC
$3,812
Tuition/yr
$159
Per Credit
76%
Grad Rate
46.4
Score
Website

Why it ranks #1: Scored 46/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from graduation rate (7.6/10) and career outcomes (7.2/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
4.6/10

AverageInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
7.6/10

Strong76% completion [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

🥈

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public
Chapel Hill, NC
$7,019
Tuition/yr
$292
Per Credit
93%
Grad Rate
65.3
Score
Website

Why it ranks #2: Scored 65/100 on Hakia's composite, with the strongest signals coming from graduation rate (9.3/10) and career outcomes (7.2/10). One of the better-positioned information technology options at this level.

Program Completions(35%)
6.5/10

Above averageInferred from composite [IPEDS]

Graduation Rate(25%)
9.3/10

Exceptional93% completion [IPEDS]

Selectivity(20%)
5.8/10

Above averagePublic [IPEDS]

Career Outcomes(20%)
7.2/10

StrongState median salary $107,340 [BLS OEWS]

Complete Information Technology Degree Program Rankings in North Carolina

Best Associate's Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina

### Program Landscape North Carolina offers **56 accredited** associate's degree programs in information technology, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include **Wake Technical Community ...**, **Guilford Technical Commun...**, **Forsyth Technical Communi...**, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training. ### Costs & Value Community colleges in North Carolina offer these two-year programs at an average cost of **$2,985/yr**—significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging **$59,037** in North Carolina. ### Career Pathways Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with North Carolina's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like IBM, Cisco, Red Hat hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions. ### Curriculum & Specializations Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among information technology schools in North Carolina, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their information technology degrees in North Carolina.

  1. #1. Wake Technical Community College

    Hakia ranks Wake Technical Community College as the #1 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Raleigh, NC has annual tuition of $2,076 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 64.5.

  2. #2. Guilford Technical Community College

    Hakia ranks Guilford Technical Community College as the #2 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Jamestown, NC has annual tuition of $2,128 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 50.9.

  3. #3. Forsyth Technical Community College

    Hakia ranks Forsyth Technical Community College as the #3 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Winston-Salem, NC has annual tuition of $1,824 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 48.4. NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation: CAE-2Y.

  4. #4. Fayetteville Technical Community College

    Hakia ranks Fayetteville Technical Community College as the #4 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Fayetteville, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 48.6.

  5. #5. Central Piedmont Community College

    Hakia ranks Central Piedmont Community College as the #5 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Charlotte, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 48.3.

  6. #6. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

    Hakia ranks Rowan-Cabarrus Community College as the #6 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Salisbury, NC has annual tuition of $1,824 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 44.9. NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation: CAE-2Y.

  7. #7. Pitt Community College

    Hakia ranks Pitt Community College as the #7 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Winterville, NC has annual tuition of $1,824 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 43.5.

  8. #8. Durham Technical Community College

    Hakia ranks Durham Technical Community College as the #8 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Durham, NC has annual tuition of $2,128 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 41.2.

  9. #9. Cape Fear Community College

    Hakia ranks Cape Fear Community College as the #9 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Wilmington, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 41.1.

  10. #10. Davidson-Davie Community College

    Hakia ranks Davidson-Davie Community College as the #10 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Thomasville, NC has annual tuition of $2,125 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 40.9.

  11. #11. Vance-Granville Community College

    Hakia ranks Vance-Granville Community College as the #11 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Henderson, NC has annual tuition of $1,824 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 40.7.

  12. #12. Wayne Community College

    Hakia ranks Wayne Community College as the #12 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Goldsboro, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 40.7.

  13. #13. Coastal Carolina Community College

    Hakia ranks Coastal Carolina Community College as the #13 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Jacksonville, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 40.4.

  14. #14. Johnston Community College

    Hakia ranks Johnston Community College as the #14 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Smithfield, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 40.4.

  15. #15. Central Carolina Community College

    Hakia ranks Central Carolina Community College as the #15 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Sanford, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 40.2.

  16. #16. Craven Community College

    Hakia ranks Craven Community College as the #16 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in New Bern, NC has annual tuition of $1,824 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 39.6.

  17. #17. Stanly Community College

    Hakia ranks Stanly Community College as the #17 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Albemarle, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 39.6.

  18. #18. Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

    Hakia ranks Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute as the #18 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Hudson, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 39.3.

  19. #19. Gaston College

    Hakia ranks Gaston College as the #19 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Dallas, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 46.3.

  20. #20. Randolph Community College

    Hakia ranks Randolph Community College as the #20 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Asheboro, NC has annual tuition of $2,280 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 39.3.

  21. #21. Sandhills Community College

    Hakia ranks Sandhills Community College as the #21 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Pinehurst, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 39.3.

  22. #22. Surry Community College

    Hakia ranks Surry Community College as the #22 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Dobson, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 38.6.

  23. #23. Alamance Community College

    Hakia ranks Alamance Community College as the #23 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Graham, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 38.6.

  24. #24. Nash Community College

    Hakia ranks Nash Community College as the #24 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Rocky Mount, NC has annual tuition of $2,600 ($87/credit). Ranking score: 38.6.

  25. #25. Brunswick Community College

    Hakia ranks Brunswick Community College as the #25 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Bolivia, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 38.3.

  26. #26. Robeson Community College

    Hakia ranks Robeson Community College as the #26 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Lumberton, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 38.3.

  27. #27. Sampson Community College

    Hakia ranks Sampson Community College as the #27 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Clinton, NC has annual tuition of $3,116 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 38.3.

  28. #28. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

    Hakia ranks Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College as the #28 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Asheville, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 38.0.

  29. #29. Beaufort County Community College

    Hakia ranks Beaufort County Community College as the #29 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Washington, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 38.0.

  30. #30. South Piedmont Community College

    Hakia ranks South Piedmont Community College as the #30 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Polkton, NC has annual tuition of $1,824 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 37.4.

  31. #31. Wilkes Community College

    Hakia ranks Wilkes Community College as the #31 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Wilkesboro, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 37.4.

  32. #32. Catawba Valley Community College

    Hakia ranks Catawba Valley Community College as the #32 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Hickory, NC has annual tuition of $2,128 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 37.1.

  33. #33. Mitchell Community College

    Hakia ranks Mitchell Community College as the #33 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Statesville, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 37.1.

  34. #34. Isothermal Community College

    Hakia ranks Isothermal Community College as the #34 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Spindale, NC has annual tuition of $1,824 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 36.7.

  35. #35. College of the Albemarle

    Hakia ranks College of the Albemarle as the #35 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Elizabeth City, NC has annual tuition of $2,102 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 43.2.

  36. #36. Blue Ridge Community College

    Hakia ranks Blue Ridge Community College as the #36 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Flat Rock, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 36.3.

  37. #37. Cleveland Community College

    Hakia ranks Cleveland Community College as the #37 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Shelby, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 36.3.

  38. #38. Wilson Community College

    Hakia ranks Wilson Community College as the #38 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Wilson, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 36.3.

  39. #39. Bladen Community College

    Hakia ranks Bladen Community College as the #39 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Dublin, NC has annual tuition of $2,128 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 35.9.

  40. #40. Southwestern Community College

    Hakia ranks Southwestern Community College as the #40 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Sylva, NC has annual tuition of $5,472 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 37.4.

  41. #41. Edgecombe Community College

    Hakia ranks Edgecombe Community College as the #41 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Tarboro, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 35.9.

  42. #42. Richmond Community College

    Hakia ranks Richmond Community College as the #42 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Hamlet, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 35.9.

  43. #43. Rockingham Community College

    Hakia ranks Rockingham Community College as the #43 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Wentworth, NC has annual tuition of $1,824 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 35.5.

  44. #44. James Sprunt Community College

    Hakia ranks James Sprunt Community College as the #44 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Kenansville, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 35.5.

  45. #45. Lenoir Community College

    Hakia ranks Lenoir Community College as the #45 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Kinston, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 35.5.

  46. #46. Southeastern Community College

    Hakia ranks Southeastern Community College as the #46 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Whiteville, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 35.5.

  47. #47. Carteret Community College

    Hakia ranks Carteret Community College as the #47 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Morehead City, NC has annual tuition of $2,128 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 35.0.

  48. #48. Piedmont Community College

    Hakia ranks Piedmont Community College as the #48 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Roxboro, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 35.0.

  49. #49. Western Piedmont Community College

    Hakia ranks Western Piedmont Community College as the #49 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Morganton, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 35.0.

  50. #50. McDowell Technical Community College

    Hakia ranks McDowell Technical Community College as the #50 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Marion, NC has annual tuition of $1,824 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 34.4.

  51. #51. Martin Community College

    Hakia ranks Martin Community College as the #51 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Williamston, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 34.4.

  52. #52. Mayland Community College

    Hakia ranks Mayland Community College as the #52 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Spruce Pine, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 34.4.

  53. #53. Roanoke-Chowan Community College

    Hakia ranks Roanoke-Chowan Community College as the #53 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Ahoskie, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 34.4.

  54. #54. Tri-County Community College

    Hakia ranks Tri-County Community College as the #54 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Murphy, NC has annual tuition of $2,304 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 33.6.

  55. #55. Haywood Community College

    Hakia ranks Haywood Community College as the #55 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Clyde, NC has annual tuition of $2,432 ($76/credit). Ranking score: 33.6.

  56. #56. Campbell University

    Hakia ranks Campbell University as the #56 associate's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Buies Creek, NC has annual tuition of $37,750 ($760/credit). Ranking score: 30.7.

Online Associate's Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina

### Online Program Options North Carolina's community colleges offer 46 online associate's information technology programs, providing flexible pathways for students balancing education with work or family responsibilities. Top-ranked online programs include **Wake Technical Community ...**, **Guilford Technical Commun...**, **Forsyth Technical Communi...**, all regionally accredited and recognized by North Carolina employers. ### Costs & Employer Recognition Online associate's programs average **$3,139/yr**—often comparable to or less than on-campus tuition. North Carolina-based employers including IBM, Cisco, Red Hat value online credentials from accredited institutions, recognizing that program quality matters more than delivery format. The Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham job market actively recruits graduates from online programs. ### Program Format These programs feature asynchronous coursework for maximum flexibility, with some offering synchronous sessions for collaborative learning. Students can typically complete **60 credit hours** in 2 years while working full-time. ### Technology & Flexibility Technology requirements include reliable internet access and a modern computer. Programs provide virtual labs, online tutoring, career services, and networking opportunities. Many offer start dates throughout the year and accelerated course formats for motivated students. Graduates earn the same degree as on-campus students, with no distinction on transcripts or diplomas. For students pursuing online information technology degrees in North Carolina, these accredited information technology schools offer the flexibility and quality that today's learners demand.

  • Wake Technical Community College - Raleigh, NC - Tuition: $2,076/year
  • Guilford Technical Community College - Jamestown, NC - Tuition: $2,128/year
  • Forsyth Technical Community College - Winston-Salem, NC - Tuition: $1,824/year
  • Central Piedmont Community College - Charlotte, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Rowan-Cabarrus Community College - Salisbury, NC - Tuition: $1,824/year
  • Pitt Community College - Winterville, NC - Tuition: $1,824/year
  • Cape Fear Community College - Wilmington, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Durham Technical Community College - Durham, NC - Tuition: $2,128/year
  • Wayne Community College - Goldsboro, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Coastal Carolina Community College - Jacksonville, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Johnston Community College - Smithfield, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Central Carolina Community College - Sanford, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Stanly Community College - Albemarle, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute - Hudson, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Gaston College - Dallas, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Surry Community College - Dobson, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Alamance Community College - Graham, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Nash Community College - Rocky Mount, NC - Tuition: $2,600/year
  • Brunswick Community College - Bolivia, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Robeson Community College - Lumberton, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College - Asheville, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Beaufort County Community College - Washington, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • South Piedmont Community College - Polkton, NC - Tuition: $1,824/year
  • Wilkes Community College - Wilkesboro, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Catawba Valley Community College - Hickory, NC - Tuition: $2,128/year
  • Mitchell Community College - Statesville, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Isothermal Community College - Spindale, NC - Tuition: $1,824/year
  • College of the Albemarle - Elizabeth City, NC - Tuition: $2,102/year
  • Blue Ridge Community College - Flat Rock, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Cleveland Community College - Shelby, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Bladen Community College - Dublin, NC - Tuition: $2,128/year
  • Southwestern Community College - Sylva, NC - Tuition: $5,472/year
  • Edgecombe Community College - Tarboro, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Richmond Community College - Hamlet, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Rockingham Community College - Wentworth, NC - Tuition: $1,824/year
  • James Sprunt Community College - Kenansville, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Lenoir Community College - Kinston, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Southeastern Community College - Whiteville, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Carteret Community College - Morehead City, NC - Tuition: $2,128/year
  • Piedmont Community College - Roxboro, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Martin Community College - Williamston, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Mayland Community College - Spruce Pine, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Roanoke-Chowan Community College - Ahoskie, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Tri-County Community College - Murphy, NC - Tuition: $2,304/year
  • Haywood Community College - Clyde, NC - Tuition: $2,432/year
  • Campbell University - Buies Creek, NC - Tuition: $37,750/year

Best Bachelor's Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina

### Program Landscape North Carolina ranks among the nation's top destinations for information technology education, with **23 accredited** bachelor's degree programs across **9 public** and **13 private** institutions. The highest-ranked programs are **U of North Carolina at Ch...**, **North Carolina A & T State**, **U of North Carolina at Ch...**, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections. ### Career Outcomes Graduates from North Carolina information technology programs earn a median salary of **$91,239**—7% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including IBM, Cisco, Red Hat. ### Costs & Value Tuition ranges from **$1,000** to **$40,400** annually, with an average of **$18,148/yr**. Top programs maintain graduation rates above **85%**, with the highest reaching **94%**. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards. ### Curriculum & Specializations Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to North Carolina's leading technology employers. For students seeking information technology degrees in North Carolina, these top-ranked information technology schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.

  1. #1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the #1 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Chapel Hill, NC has annual tuition of $7,019 ($292/credit) and a 93% graduation rate. Ranking score: 85.7.

    Watch: Campus Tours Introduce Young Students to Higher Education

  2. #2. North Carolina A & T State University

    Hakia ranks North Carolina A & T State University as the #2 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Greensboro, NC has annual tuition of $3,540 ($148/credit) and a 84% graduation rate. Ranking score: 77.7. NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation: CAE-CDE.

  3. #3. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

    Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Charlotte as the #3 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Charlotte, NC has annual tuition of $3,812 ($159/credit) and a 76% graduation rate. Ranking score: 76.3. NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation: CAE-CDE, CAE-R.

    Watch: For the Love of Charlotte: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte

  4. #4. East Carolina University

    Hakia ranks East Carolina University as the #4 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Greenville, NC has annual tuition of $4,452 ($185/credit). Ranking score: 50.8. NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation: CAE-CDE.

  5. #5. University of North Carolina Wilmington

    Hakia ranks University of North Carolina Wilmington as the #5 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Wilmington, NC has annual tuition of $4,443 ($185/credit) and a 79% graduation rate. Ranking score: 57.8.

  6. #6. North Carolina Central University

    Hakia ranks North Carolina Central University as the #6 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Durham, NC has annual tuition of $3,728 ($156/credit) and a 87% graduation rate. Ranking score: 51.4.

  7. #7. Johnson C Smith University

    Hakia ranks Johnson C Smith University as the #7 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Charlotte, NC has annual tuition of $18,450 ($769/credit). Ranking score: 47.1.

  8. #8. North Carolina Wesleyan University

    Hakia ranks North Carolina Wesleyan University as the #8 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Rocky Mount, NC has annual tuition of $34,936 ($475/credit). Ranking score: 44.4.

  9. #9. Strayer University-North Carolina

    Hakia ranks Strayer University-North Carolina as the #9 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This for-profit institution in Greensboro, NC has annual tuition of $13,725 ($339/credit). Ranking score: 49.3.

  10. #10. Guilford College

    Hakia ranks Guilford College as the #10 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Greensboro, NC has annual tuition of $40,400 ($1085/credit) and a 94% graduation rate. Ranking score: 46.4.

  11. #11. University of North Carolina at Pembroke

    Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Pembroke as the #11 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Pembroke, NC has annual tuition of $1,000 ($42/credit). Ranking score: 41.8.

  12. #12. Shaw University

    Hakia ranks Shaw University as the #12 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Raleigh, NC has annual tuition of $12,408 ($517/credit). Ranking score: 45.1.

  13. #13. Winston-Salem State University

    Hakia ranks Winston-Salem State University as the #13 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Winston-Salem, NC has annual tuition of $3,401 ($142/credit). Ranking score: 44.6.

  14. #14. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

    Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Greensboro as the #14 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Greensboro, NC has annual tuition of $4,422 ($184/credit). Ranking score: 39.6.

  15. #15. Campbell University

    Hakia ranks Campbell University as the #15 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Buies Creek, NC has annual tuition of $37,750 ($760/credit). Ranking score: 42.9.

  16. #16. University of Mount Olive

    Hakia ranks University of Mount Olive as the #16 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Mount Olive, NC has annual tuition of $24,850 ($455/credit). Ranking score: 39.5.

  17. #17. Livingstone College

    Hakia ranks Livingstone College as the #17 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Salisbury, NC has annual tuition of $15,917 ($509/credit). Ranking score: 39.6.

  18. #18. Lenoir-Rhyne University

    Hakia ranks Lenoir-Rhyne University as the #18 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Hickory, NC has annual tuition of $30,000 ($1660/credit). Ranking score: 38.9.

  19. #19. Catawba College

    Hakia ranks Catawba College as the #19 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Salisbury, NC has annual tuition of $33,400 ($928/credit). Ranking score: 37.6.

  20. #20. Saint Augustine's University

    Hakia ranks Saint Augustine's University as the #20 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Raleigh, NC has annual tuition of $10,968 ($457/credit). Ranking score: 38.6.

  21. #21. Mars Hill University

    Hakia ranks Mars Hill University as the #21 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Mars Hill, NC has annual tuition of $37,270 ($1335/credit). Ranking score: 36.7.

  22. #22. Pfeiffer University

    Hakia ranks Pfeiffer University as the #22 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Misenheimer, NC has annual tuition of $32,580 ($700/credit). Ranking score: 35.4.

  23. #23. Methodist University

    Hakia ranks Methodist University as the #23 bachelor's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This private institution in Fayetteville, NC has annual tuition of $38,936 ($1255/credit). Ranking score: 36.1.

Online Bachelor's Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina

### Online Program Options 14 North Carolina institutions offer bachelor's information technology degrees with online or hybrid options, enabling students to earn accredited degrees while maintaining professional or personal commitments. Top-ranked online programs include **North Carolina A & T State**, **East Carolina**, **North Carolina Wesleyan**, all regionally accredited and recognized by North Carolina employers. ### Costs & Employer Recognition Online bachelor's programs average **$23,220/yr**—often comparable to or less than on-campus tuition. North Carolina-based employers including IBM, Cisco, Red Hat value online credentials from accredited institutions, recognizing that program quality matters more than delivery format. The Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham job market actively recruits graduates from online programs. ### Program Format These programs feature asynchronous coursework for maximum flexibility, with some offering synchronous sessions for collaborative learning. Students can typically complete **120 credit hours** in 4 years while working full-time. ### Technology & Flexibility Technology requirements include reliable internet access and a modern computer. Programs provide virtual labs, online tutoring, career services, and networking opportunities. Many offer start dates throughout the year and accelerated course formats for motivated students. Graduates earn the same degree as on-campus students, with no distinction on transcripts or diplomas. For students pursuing online information technology degrees in North Carolina, these accredited information technology schools offer the flexibility and quality that today's learners demand.

  • North Carolina A & T State University - Greensboro, NC - Tuition: $3,540/year
  • East Carolina University - Greenville, NC - Tuition: $4,452/year
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University - Rocky Mount, NC - Tuition: $34,936/year
  • North Carolina Central University - Durham, NC - Tuition: $3,728/year
  • Strayer University-North Carolina - Greensboro, NC - Tuition: $13,725/year
  • Guilford College - Greensboro, NC - Tuition: $40,400/year
  • Winston-Salem State University - Winston-Salem, NC - Tuition: $3,401/year
  • Campbell University - Buies Creek, NC - Tuition: $37,750/year
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University - Hickory, NC - Tuition: $30,000/year
  • Catawba College - Salisbury, NC - Tuition: $33,400/year
  • Pfeiffer University - Misenheimer, NC - Tuition: $32,580/year
  • Saint Augustine's University - Raleigh, NC - Tuition: $10,968/year
  • Mars Hill University - Mars Hill, NC - Tuition: $37,270/year
  • Methodist University - Fayetteville, NC - Tuition: $38,936/year

Best Master's Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina

### Program Landscape North Carolina offers **7** master's degree programs in information technology, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs—**U of North Carolina at Ch...**, **North Carolina A & T State**, **U of North Carolina at Ch...**—combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development. ### Career Outcomes Master's graduates in North Carolina earn a median salary of **$107,340**, approximately **20-30% higher** than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with IBM, Cisco, Red Hat actively recruiting from these programs. ### Costs & Value Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages **$5,667/yr**, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals. ### Curriculum & Specializations Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among North Carolina's information technology schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.

  1. #1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the #1 master's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Chapel Hill, NC has annual tuition of $7,019 ($292/credit) and a 93% graduation rate. Ranking score: 77.3.

    Watch: Campus Tours Introduce Young Students to Higher Education

  2. #2. North Carolina A & T State University

    Hakia ranks North Carolina A & T State University as the #2 master's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Greensboro, NC has annual tuition of $3,540 ($148/credit) and a 84% graduation rate. Ranking score: 60.8. NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation: CAE-CDE.

  3. #3. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

    Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Charlotte as the #3 master's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Charlotte, NC has annual tuition of $3,812 ($159/credit) and a 76% graduation rate. Ranking score: 77.2. NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation: CAE-CDE, CAE-R.

    Watch: For the Love of Charlotte: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte

  4. #4. North Carolina Central University

    Hakia ranks North Carolina Central University as the #4 master's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Durham, NC has annual tuition of $3,728 ($156/credit) and a 87% graduation rate. Ranking score: 53.1.

  5. #5. University of North Carolina Wilmington

    Hakia ranks University of North Carolina Wilmington as the #5 master's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Wilmington, NC has annual tuition of $4,443 ($185/credit) and a 79% graduation rate. Ranking score: 50.1.

  6. #6. Strayer University-North Carolina

    Hakia ranks Strayer University-North Carolina as the #6 master's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This for-profit institution in Greensboro, NC has annual tuition of $13,725 ($339/credit). Ranking score: 43.6.

  7. #7. Winston-Salem State University

    Hakia ranks Winston-Salem State University as the #7 master's in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Winston-Salem, NC has annual tuition of $3,401 ($142/credit). Ranking score: 38.5.

Online Master's Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina

### Online Program Options Working professionals can advance their careers through 4 online master's information technology programs from North Carolina universities, designed for flexibility without sacrificing academic rigor. Top-ranked online programs include **North Carolina A & T State**, **North Carolina Central**, **Strayer University-North ...**, all regionally accredited and recognized by North Carolina employers. ### Costs & Employer Recognition Online master's programs average **$6,099/yr**—often comparable to or less than on-campus tuition. North Carolina-based employers including IBM, Cisco, Red Hat value online credentials from accredited institutions, recognizing that program quality matters more than delivery format. The Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham job market actively recruits graduates from online programs. ### Program Format These programs feature asynchronous coursework for maximum flexibility, with some offering synchronous sessions for collaborative learning. Students can typically complete **30-36 credit hours** in 18-24 months while working full-time. ### Technology & Flexibility Technology requirements include reliable internet access and a modern computer. Programs provide virtual labs, online tutoring, career services, and networking opportunities. Many offer start dates throughout the year and accelerated course formats for motivated students. Graduates earn the same degree as on-campus students, with no distinction on transcripts or diplomas. For students pursuing online information technology degrees in North Carolina, these accredited information technology schools offer the flexibility and quality that today's learners demand.

  • North Carolina A & T State University - Greensboro, NC - Tuition: $3,540/year
  • North Carolina Central University - Durham, NC - Tuition: $3,728/year
  • Strayer University-North Carolina - Greensboro, NC - Tuition: $13,725/year
  • Winston-Salem State University - Winston-Salem, NC - Tuition: $3,401/year

Best Doctoral Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina

### Program Landscape North Carolina is home to **2** doctoral programs in information technology, preparing students for research positions, faculty appointments, and executive technical roles. Leading programs at **U of North Carolina at Ch...**, **U of North Carolina at Ch...** are recognized for cutting-edge research, strong faculty publications, and competitive funding packages. ### Career Outcomes Doctoral graduates command premium salaries, with North Carolina PhD holders earning a median of **$134,175**—reflecting the advanced expertise required for research and executive positions. The Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham region's research universities and corporate R&D centers provide extensive collaboration opportunities with industry leaders like IBM, Cisco, Red Hat. ### Costs & Value PhD programs typically require 4-6 years of full-time study, including coursework, qualifying examinations, and original dissertation research. Many programs offer full funding through teaching or research assistantships, covering tuition and providing stipends of **$25,000–$40,000** annually. ### Curriculum & Specializations Research strengths across North Carolina programs include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, systems, and theoretical computer science. For aspiring researchers pursuing information technology degrees in North Carolina, graduates go on to careers as university faculty, industry research scientists, or technical executives, contributing to advances in technology that impact millions of users worldwide.

  1. #1. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

    Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Charlotte as the #1 doctoral in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Charlotte, NC has annual tuition of $3,812 ($159/credit) and a 76% graduation rate. Ranking score: 46.4. NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation: CAE-CDE, CAE-R.

  2. #2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the #2 doctoral in information technology degree program in North Carolina. This public institution in Chapel Hill, NC has annual tuition of $7,019 ($292/credit) and a 93% graduation rate. Ranking score: 65.3.

Information Technology Degree Costs & Tuition in North Carolina

MetricValue
Average in-state tuition$7,010/year
Average out-of-state tuition$17,525/year
Community college tuition$1,753/year
4-year savings for residents$42,060
2+2 transfer pathway savings$10,514

Source: IPEDS 2023

Financial Aid for North Carolina Information Technology Students

Verdict: North Carolina IT students benefit from one of the strongest US IT funding-to-outcomes equations: the Carolina Covenant (UNC), Pack Promise (NC State), and University Promise (UNC Charlotte) providing debt-free graduation pathways for Pell-eligible students. Plus substantial NC IT operations employment — SAS Institute IT (Cary — one of the larger US analytics software company IT operations), Apple RTP IT ($1B+ campus expansion adding substantial IT operations through 2027), IBM RTP IT (multi-decade IT operations depth), Bank of America Charlotte IT (one of the largest US bank IT operations), Truist IT (Charlotte HQ — substantial post-merger bank IT operations), Lowe's IT (Mooresville HQ — one of the larger US retail IT operations), Honeywell IT (Charlotte HQ — substantial industrial IT), Lenovo IT (Morrisville HQ), LabCorp IT, Cisco RTP IT, Red Hat IT.

NC Carolina Covenant (UNC Chapel Hill) provides debt-free graduation for Pell-eligible NC residents at UNC Chapel Hill. NC State Pack Promise provides similar debt-free pathway at NC State. UNC Charlotte University Promise extends to Charlotte-area Pell-eligible students. In-state tuition at NC State and UNC Chapel Hill is exceptional value (under $9,500/year for NC State IT, under $9,000/year for UNC IT) — particularly relative to comparable IT operations industry placement at private institutions.

North Carolina's IT-specific institutional aid is concentrated at: NC State University Poole College of Management + College of Engineering with substantial IT programs and direct RTP industry placement at SAS Institute IT, Apple RTP IT, IBM RTP IT. UNC Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School + College of Arts and Sciences has substantial IT programs. UNC Charlotte Belk College of Business + College of Computing and Informatics has substantial IT programs with substantial Charlotte banking and financial services IT industry partnerships at Bank of America, Truist, Wells Fargo Charlotte, plus Honeywell and Lowe's industrial IT industry placement. North Carolina A&T State University (HBCU) has growing IT programs with substantial scholarship support. East Carolina University, Appalachian State, Western Carolina, UNC Greensboro, UNC Wilmington offer affordable IT programs. The North Carolina community college IT certification + AAS-IT degree programs at Wake Technical Community College, Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), Durham Technical Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College, and Cape Fear Community College provide substantial IT credentialing pathways.

Industry-track scholarships and tuition reimbursement from North Carolina-based IT employers — SAS Institute IT (Cary), Apple RTP IT engineering, IBM RTP IT operations, Bank of America IT (Charlotte — one of the largest US bank IT operations), Truist IT (Charlotte HQ — substantial post-merger bank IT operations supporting Truist Financial's substantial banking operations), Wells Fargo Charlotte IT, Lowe's IT (Mooresville HQ — one of the larger US retail IT operations supporting Lowe's 1,750+ store retail operations), Honeywell IT (Charlotte HQ — substantial industrial IT), Lenovo IT (Morrisville HQ), Cisco RTP IT (one of Cisco's substantial US engineering and IT operations), Red Hat IT (open-source enterprise software IT), LabCorp / Quintiles IT (Burlington HQ — one of the larger US clinical research IT operations), Duke Health IT, Duke Energy IT (Charlotte HQ) — provide additional funding most students don't pursue.

Information Technology Degree ROI Calculator — North Carolina

Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a information technology degree in North Carolina. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.

Information Technology Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a information technology degree
$

Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type

20 years
10 years20 years30 years
20-Year ROI

+587%

Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.

Net Gain

$1,086,579

Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.

Break-Even

6 years

Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.

COL-Adjusted Salary

$115,789

Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.

Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.

Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Total Investment$185,000

Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)

Program Cost (Tuition)$45,000

Direct cost of the degree program

Opportunity Cost$140,000

4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time

20-Year Earnings (with degree)$2,121,987

Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth

20-Year Earnings (without degree)$850,408

What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth

Starting Salary (Raleigh-Durham, NC)$110,000

Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)

Annualized Return3.7%

Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)

Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2023. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com

Information Technology Salaries by Metro Area

Median annual salary in North Carolina metro areas

Hakia.com
View data table
Categoryvalue
Raleigh$118K
Charlotte$113K
Durham$107K

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024

Hakia.com

Top Employers Hiring Information Technology Graduates in North Carolina

Find information technology jobs in North Carolina. These major employers across North Carolina metro areas are actively hiring information technology degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.

Information Technology Jobs in raleighDurham

NC
IBM
Enterprise Technology
Cisco Systems
Networking & Cybersecurity
SAS Institute
Analytics Software
Red Hat
Open Source Software
Epic Games
Game Development
Apple
Consumer Technology
NetApp
Data Storage
Fidelity Investments
Financial Services

Information Technology Jobs in Charlotte

NC

Charlotte is the second-largest banking center in the US. Bank of America and Wells Fargo drive fintech demand.

Nearby cities: Huntersville, Concord, Matthews, Gastonia, Rock Hill, Mooresville

Bank of America
Banking & Fintech
Coinbase
Cryptocurrency
nCINO
Banking Software

North Carolina Tech Industry & Infrastructure

North Carolina's Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) is one of the densest US tech corridors per capita, anchored by three major research universities (NC State, Duke, UNC Chapel Hill) and a 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park hosting hundreds of tech employers. Charlotte separately operates as a top-tier US financial-services tech hub.

Research Triangle

Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metros

Home to SAS Institute (analytics), IBM Research Triangle Park, Cisco, Red Hat (now IBM), Lenovo Americas HQ, Epic Games, Citrix, Bandwidth, and the Research Triangle Park complex. NC State CS, Duke CS, and UNC computer science all feed the local market — combined a top-10 US CS graduate pipeline.

Charlotte

Charlotte metro

Bank of America HQ and a top-3 US banking center. Wells Fargo, Truist, LendingTree, and dense fintech employment. Charlotte tech is heavily financial-services-coded; less consumer/startup but exceptionally stable employment.

Asheville / Western NC

Asheville metro

Smaller but growing remote-work and outdoor-industry tech market; not a primary tech destination but increasingly relevant for lifestyle-driven talent.

North Carolina has a flat state income tax (4.5% in 2026, scheduled to decline further). The NC Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) and One NC Fund are the principal tech-employer incentives — Apple's $1B+ RTP campus relocation was supported by these programs.

North Carolina Regulation Affecting Information Technology Graduates

North Carolina has been more active on legislation around identity theft, biometrics, and AI in employment than on broad consumer privacy. The state's regulatory environment is generally employer-favorable but has tightened on data security since several high-profile state-government breaches.

NC Identity Theft Protection Act

Requires businesses to notify NC residents of data security breaches and sets minimum data-handling and disposal standards for personal information.

Standard breach-response compliance for any NC-resident-serving business; minimum technical standards have informed security-program design at NC-headquartered employers.

Read more

NC Computer Trespass Statute (N.C.G.S. § 14-453 et seq.)

State cybercrime law parallel to federal CFAA; covers unauthorized computer access, computer-related fraud, and damage to data.

Relevant for cybersecurity professionals doing incident response, penetration testing, or security research within NC.

Read more

NC Insurance Data Security Act

Adopted from the NAIC model; requires insurers and insurance-adjacent businesses to maintain comprehensive information security programs with risk assessments, incident response plans, and third-party oversight.

Drives security-engineering hiring at Charlotte-based insurance and financial-services employers; sets the technical bar for NC financial-services security teams.

Read more

Professional Engineer Licensure in North Carolina

North Carolina does not currently administer a separate Software Engineering PE license. Standard engineering disciplines require ABET-EAC accreditation for PE eligibility; software engineering is not a recognized NC PE discipline. NC State's ABET-EAC software engineering program does qualify graduates for engineering tracks at federal agencies that recognize software engineering as engineering.

North Carolina licensing board

North Carolina Financial Aid Programs

Up to $11,150/yr

NC residents with demonstrated financial need at NC private colleges/universities

Varies by institution and need; averages ~$3,500/yr

NC residents with financial need attending one of 16 UNC System universities

Up to $5,100/yr at 4-year, $2,800/yr at community college

NC residents at NC public 2-year and 4-year institutions with financial need

Up to $2,800/yr

NC residents at NC community colleges with financial need

Transfer Pathways for North Carolina Information Technology Students

Verdict: North Carolina's Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) between the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and the UNC System provides robust IT-track transfer pathways at the foundational level. IT-track transfer admission is substantially more accessible than CS-track admission at most NC 4-year institutions, often 40-70% for qualified transfer applicants.

Best North Carolina community college IT-track-feeder schools: Wake Technical Community College (largest NCCCS institution — strong NC State IT pipeline with refined IT certification + AAS-IT programs aligned to SAS Institute IT, Apple RTP IT, and IBM RTP IT industry placement during community college years), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) (Charlotte — strong UNC Charlotte IT pipeline with substantial Bank of America IT, Truist IT, Wells Fargo Charlotte IT, Lowe's IT, and Honeywell IT industry placement), Durham Technical Community College (Durham — geographically adjacent to Duke + NC Central, strong Duke Health IT and NC Central IT pathways), Forsyth Technical Community College (Winston-Salem — strong Wake Forest, UNC Greensboro, and Reynolds American IT pathways), Cape Fear Community College (Wilmington — strong UNC Wilmington IT pathway). Each has refined IT certification + intro-CS sequences via CAA articulation.

The Wake Tech → NC State IT pathway is the most reliable North Carolina community college IT progression — Wake Tech is geographically adjacent to NC State and RTP, has refined IT certification + AAS-IT programs aligned to NC State's IT programs, and produces graduates with substantial SAS Institute IT, Apple RTP IT, and IBM RTP IT industry placement. The CPCC → UNC Charlotte IT pathway is the most reliable Charlotte-area IT progression with substantial Bank of America IT, Truist IT, Wells Fargo Charlotte IT, Lowe's IT, and Honeywell IT industry placement at exceptional in-state tuition.

Beyond NC State and UNC Charlotte IT: UNC Chapel Hill has substantial IT programs. Duke University has IT programs but transfer admission is genuinely difficult. NC A&T State University (HBCU) has growing IT programs with substantial scholarship support. East Carolina University, Appalachian State, Western Carolina are affordable comprehensive alternatives. Wake Forest University has IT programs at small-private scale. For North Carolina IT-track students, the NC State pathway is the strong RTP industry optimization with SAS Institute / Apple RTP / IBM RTP IT placement; UNC Charlotte is the Charlotte banking/retail IT optimization with substantial industry placement; UNC Chapel Hill is the strong public flagship optimization; East Carolina/Appalachian State are the affordable comprehensive alternatives.

17%
Information Technology Job Growth in North Carolina
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 17% growth for information technology occupations in North Carolina through 2023-2033. The median salary stands at $107,340 with 78 accredited programs statewide.

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook

North Carolina Information Technology Job Market & Salary

Verdict: North Carolina has a substantial and growing IT engineer job market with three distinct clusters: Research Triangle Park (RTP) tech ITSAS Institute IT (Cary — one of the larger US analytics software company IT operations), Apple RTP IT ($1B+ campus expansion adding substantial IT operations through 2027), IBM RTP IT (multi-decade IT operations depth), Cisco RTP IT (substantial Cisco engineering and IT operations), Red Hat IT, Lenovo IT (Morrisville HQ) — and Charlotte's banking and financial-services IT clusterBank of America IT (one of the largest US bank IT operations), Truist IT (Charlotte HQ — substantial post-merger bank IT operations), Wells Fargo Charlotte IT, Fidelity Charlotte IT, Lowe's IT (Mooresville HQ), Honeywell IT (Charlotte HQ), Duke Energy IT (Charlotte HQ) — and Triad and broader NC industrial IT — Reynolds American IT, Volvo Group IT (Greensboro), Honda Aircraft IT (Greensboro). Plus the substantial LabCorp / Quintiles IT (Burlington HQ — one of the larger US clinical research IT operations) and Duke Health IT (substantial academic medical center IT operations).

By metro: Raleigh-Durham (RTP) averages ~$85,000-$135,000 for IT support and systems administration roles with substantial concentrations at SAS Institute IT (Cary — substantial IT operations supporting SAS's substantial analytics software products), Apple RTP ($1B+ campus expansion adding 3,000+ engineering and IT jobs through 2027), IBM RTP IT (multi-decade IT operations depth supporting IBM's substantial enterprise IT operations), Cisco RTP IT (substantial Cisco engineering and IT operations), Red Hat IT (open-source enterprise software IT), Lenovo IT (Morrisville HQ — IT operations supporting PC and server products), Duke Health IT (one of the largest US academic medical center IT operations).

Charlotte averages ~$85,000-$135,000 for IT support and systems administration roles with Bank of America IT as the substantial employer — one of the largest US bank IT operations with substantial IT workforce supporting Bank of America's substantial banking infrastructure across consumer banking, wealth management, commercial banking, and capital markets operations. Truist IT (Charlotte HQ) — substantial post-merger bank IT operations supporting Truist Financial's substantial banking operations across 17 states + DC. Wells Fargo Charlotte IT (substantial Wells Fargo IT operations second only to NYC in scale). Lowe's IT (Mooresville HQ — one of the larger US retail IT operations supporting Lowe's substantial 1,750+ home improvement retail operations). Honeywell IT (Charlotte HQ — substantial industrial IT supporting Honeywell's substantial industrial operations). Duke Energy IT (Charlotte HQ — substantial utility IT). Greensboro/Winston-Salem has growing applied-IT at Volvo Group (industrial IT), Reynolds American (consumer products IT), and Honda Aircraft Greensboro (aerospace IT).

Three North Carolina IT-specific dynamics: (1) Apple RTP's substantial expansion through 2027 is one of the largest US tech-company IT engineering expansions outside the Bay Area or Seattle — providing genuine non-FAANG-headquarters-located IT engineering and operations employment scale. (2) Charlotte banking IT operations are one of the largest US bank IT employment concentrations outside NYC — Bank of America, Truist, Wells Fargo Charlotte, plus Fidelity Charlotte collectively employ tens of thousands of IT professionals with substantial career stability through economic cycles. (3) NC IT employment stability through 2022-2024 broader tech downturns — RTP IT operations + Charlotte banking IT continued aggressive hiring through periods when commercial-tech IT hiring contracted substantially. See IT Support Specialist Career Guide and Systems Administrator Career Guide.

Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)

New graduates and career changers

Senior (8+ yrs)

Technical leads and architects

Median Salary in North Carolina$69,771$155,643
Typical RolesJunior Developer, AnalystStaff Engineer, Architect
Remote Work AccessLimitedCommon
Degree ExpectationBachelor's sufficientMaster's preferred

Online vs On-Campus Information Technology Programs in North Carolina

Online Programs

24 available in North Carolina

On-Campus Programs

Traditional classroom experience

Typical Tuition$6,309/yr$7,010/yr
Schedule FlexibilitySelf-paced or asyncFixed schedule
NetworkingVirtual cohortsIn-person, career fairs
Best ForWorking professionalsTraditional students
Completion Time2-4 years (flexible)4 years (standard)

Compare Information Technology Programs in Other States

StateTotal ProgramsMedian TuitionTop Program
Best Information Technology Degree Programs in Virginia71$10,100University of Virginia-Main Campus
Best Information Technology Degree Programs in Tennessee37$10,800East Tennessee State University
Best Information Technology Degree Programs in Georgia69$4,400Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Best Information Technology Degree Programs in South Carolina23$13,700Clemson University
Best Information Technology Degree Programs in California123$1,500University of California-San Diego
Best Information Technology Degree Programs in Washington27$7,300University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Best Information Technology Degree Programs in Texas137$6,800The University of Texas at Dallas
Best Information Technology Degree Programs in New York138$13,800New York University

Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina: FAQ

Data Sources

Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates

North Carolina salary and employment data

Official University Websites

Program details and admissions information

Last Updated: February 22, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2023 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

Was this ranking helpful for your college search?
Taylor Rupe

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.

Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina — Detailed School Profiles

Best Associate's Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College — Raleigh, NC

Key Distinction: Wake Tech consistently ranks at the top for online instruction and has been named the No. 1 online community college in the U.S. by several sources, with nearly 100 fully online programs available.

Hakia Insight: Wake Tech's #1 online ranking masks a structural advantage: nearly 100 fully online IT programs mean students can stack multiple certificates (networking, security, development) simultaneously while completing their AAS, a modular flexibility traditional associate's degrees prohibit.

At the associate's level, wake Technical Community College's Information Technology Division offers degree, diploma and certificate programs aligned with business and industry needs. Programs are regularly evaluated and revised to prepare students for competition in the job market and meet employer expectations.

Programs Offered
  • Associate of Science in Information Technology — 2 years, on-campus
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology — 2 years, online

Location Advantages: STEM education integrationFour campus locations with specialized labsIndustry-aligned curriculumPropel funding program available

Guilford Technical Community College — Jamestown, NC

Key Distinction: Ultimate flexibility allowing students to select their own IT courses and create customized degree plans, with the option to earn multiple IT certificates alongside the AAS degree

Hakia Insight: Guilford's 'ultimate flexibility' model—students design their own course sequence—works because the college hosts a mature, stackable certificate marketplace; this means a student chasing cybersecurity doesn't waste electives on web development like fixed curricula force.

At the associate's level, the Information Technology (IT) – General Studies option at GTCC is designed for students who want the ultimate flexibility and the option to select their own IT courses to earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. Students can create a customized degree plan based on IT courses that interest them, choosing 27 credit hours of IT classes.

Programs Offered
  • Associate of Science in Information Technology — 2 years, on-campus
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology — 2 years, online
Notable Faculty
  • Michael Collins — Information Technology Instruction
  • Paul Campbell — Information Technology Instruction
Accreditations and Certifications
  • Computer Technology Integration Certificate
  • Cyber Crime and Digital Forensics Certificate
  • Simulation & Game Development Certificate
  • C++ Programming Certificate
  • JAVA Programming Certificate
  • Web Development Certificate
  • Internet Marketing & Social Media Certificate
  • Mobile Device Development Certificate
  • Cisco Network Administration Certificate
  • Security and Data Assurance Certificate
  • Linux Administration Certificate
  • Virtualization Administration Certificate
  • Windows Server Administration Certificate

Location Advantages:

Forsyth Technical Community College — Winston-Salem, NC

Key Distinction: Award-winning Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, recognized by both the National Security Administration (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security, with hands-on repair classes for real-world experience

Hakia Insight: Forsyth Tech's NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation is rare at the associate level, but the real competitive advantage lies in its Davis iTEC Center pairing cyber defense theory with hands-on hardware repair—a combination that produces $83,200 median salaries typically seen at four-year institutions.

At the associate's level, the IT Technical Support and Services program prepares students for careers as IT Help Desk Support Technicians/Professionals. Students gain hands-on experience with computer hardware, software, and network troubleshooting while preparing for industry certifications.

Programs Offered
  • Associate of Science in Information Technology — 2 years, on-campus
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology — 2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
  • Davis iTEC Center
Career Outcomes

Median Salary: $83,200.

Accreditations and Certifications
  • CompTIA A+
  • CompTIA NET+
  • CompTIA Security+

Location Advantages: Work-based learning internship programsApprenticeship opportunitiesFast-track continuing education options

Fayetteville Technical Community College — Fayetteville, NC

Key Distinction: FTCC offers one of the most diverse arrays of IT specializations at the community college level, with guaranteed transfer pathways to ECU's Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program and strong military partnerships through Fort Bragg connections.

Hakia Insight: With 13 specialized IT pathways and guaranteed transfer articulation to ECU's bachelor's program, FTCC uniquely positions students to either enter the workforce immediately or ladder into a four-year degree without losing credits—a flexibility most community colleges don't formalize.

At the associate's level, fayetteville Technical Community College offers comprehensive Computer Information Technology programs with 13 different degree/diploma pathways including cybersecurity, cloud management, programming, network administration, and multimedia technologies. The programs provide hands-on technical training with industry-relevant curriculum designed for career readiness.

Programs Offered
  • Associate of Science in Information Technology — 2 years, on-campus
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology — 2 years, online
Industry Partners
  • Cisco (tech)
  • Microsoft (tech)
  • CompTIA (tech)
  • Adobe (tech)
Notable Faculty
  • Dwayne Campbell — Computer Information Technology Dean
Admissions

GPA Requirement: 2.0.

Requirements: High School Diploma or equivalent

Location Advantages: Located in Fayetteville, NC near Fort BraggMilitary-affiliated student services

Central Piedmont Community College — Charlotte, NC

Key Distinction: Program content is current and curriculum evolves to respond to the changes taking place in today's business and industry. The program incorporates the competencies of many industry-recognized certification exams and connects students to real-world industry partners through employer visits and work-based, real-world projects.

Hakia Insight: Central Piedmont's deliberate curriculum evolution model means students learn tools that employers are actively hiring for today, not yesterday—a distinction that matters more at the associate level where a two-year program window leaves no room for outdated content.

At the associate's level, the Information Technology curriculum prepares graduates for employment in a variety of technology fields, including software development, networking, cybersecurity, data analysis, virtualization, and web design. Course work includes the development of a student's ability to create, store, communicate, exchange, and use the information to solve technical issues related to information support and services, network systems, programming and software development, information security, and other emerging technologies.

Programs Offered
  • Associate of Science in Information Technology — 2 years, on-campus
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology — 2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
  • Information Technology Student Labs
Accreditations and Certifications
  • CompTIA A+
  • CompTIA Network+
  • VMware VCP
  • AWS Cloud Practitioner
  • CompTIA Server+
  • CompTIA Security+
  • CompTIA Linux+
  • Red Hat Certified System Administrator
  • Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
  • MOS Microsoft Office Specialist
  • CCNA v7 Cisco Certified Networking Associate
  • Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator

Location Advantages:

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College — Salisbury, NC

Key Distinction: The program offers comprehensive IT education with four distinct specialization tracks and incorporates industry-recognized certification competencies. Students can progress through multiple credential levels from certificates to associate degrees within the same program structure.

Hakia Insight: Rowan-Cabarrus's four-track specialization structure within a single program allows students to pivot between cybersecurity, networking, or support roles mid-degree without restarting, then stack certificates into an associate—a credential stacking model that maximizes earning potential at each step.

At the associate's level, the Information Technology program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College prepares graduates for employment in the technology sector as designers, testers, support technicians, system administrators, developers, or programmers. The curriculum covers database services, security, business intelligence, healthcare informatics, interactive media, network systems, programming and software development, information security and other emerging technologies. Students develop abilities to create, store, communicate, exchange and use information to solve technical issues. The program incorporates competencies of industry-recognized certification exams and qualifies graduates for entry-level positions with businesses, educational systems, and governmental agencies. The program offers multiple specialization tracks including Cybersecurity, Computer Programming and Development, Networking and Virtualization, and Business IT Support, providing flexible pathways from certificates to associate degrees.

Programs Offered
  • Associate of Science in Information Technology — 2 years, on-campus
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology — 2 years, online
Notable Faculty
  • Aimee Durham — Cybersecurity Program Chair

Location Advantages:

Pitt Community College — Winterville, NC

Key Distinction: PCC's IT programs feature 24/7 access to remote lab environments with real equipment and virtual machines, plus industry partnerships with Cisco, Red Hat, CompTIA, PaloAlto, VMware, Apple, Oracle, and EC-Council for industry-relevant curriculum.

Hakia Insight: Pitt Community College's 24/7 remote lab access with real equipment mirrors the on-demand nature of IT support work itself, while partnerships with eight vendors (Cisco, Red Hat, PaloAlto, VMware, Oracle, EC-Council, CompTIA, Apple) mean students graduate with curriculum aligned to tools they'll actually use on day one.

At the associate's level, pitt Community College offers comprehensive Information Technology programs through their Computer Technologies Department, designed to provide students with solid foundations in information technologies. The department offers Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in five specialized areas: Computer Programming and Development, Cybersecurity, Network Management, Technical Support, and Simulation and Game Development. All programs emphasize practical, hands-on learning with access to state-of-the-art labs and remote lab environments available 24/7. The Computer Programming and Development track focuses on design, development, implementation, and maintenance of software programs using popular coding languages like C#, Java, and Python. Students can enhance their degrees with specialized certificates in C# Programming, Java Programming, Data Reporting and Analytics, or Python Programming. The programs feature industry-relevant content through academic partnerships with major technology companies and provide experiential learning opportunities including optional internships and work-based learning with academic partners.

Programs Offered
  • Associate of Science in Information Technology — 2 years, on-campus
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology — 2 years, online
Industry Partners
  • Cisco (corporate)
  • Red Hat (corporate)
  • CompTIA (corporate)
  • PaloAlto (corporate)
  • VMware (corporate)
  • Apple (corporate)
  • Oracle (corporate)
  • EC-Council (corporate)
Accreditations and Certifications
  • C# Programming Certificate
  • Java Programming Certificate
  • Data Reporting and Analytics Certificate
  • Python Programming Certificate

Location Advantages:

Durham Technical Community College — Durham, NC

Key Distinction: Durham Tech's IT programs offer specialized tracks in high-demand areas like cybersecurity and software development, with hands-on simulated cyber attack scenarios and industry certification preparation integrated throughout the curriculum.

Hakia Insight: Durham Tech's $109,123 median salary—nearly $26,000 above Forsyth Tech despite both being associate programs—correlates directly with its proximity to the Research Triangle tech corridor and specialized tracks in high-demand software development and cybersecurity with integrated attack simulations.

At the associate's level, durham Technical Community College offers comprehensive Information Technology programs designed to prepare graduates for employment in the technology sector. The IT curriculum includes multiple specialized tracks: Software Development AAS, Cybersecurity AAS, and other pathways focusing on network management, cloud systems administration, and service support. The Software Development track prepares students as designers, testers, support technicians, system administrators, developers, and programmers, with coursework covering database services, security, business intelligence, and emerging technologies. The Cybersecurity program focuses on network security, cryptography, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and risk management with hands-on experience in simulated cyber attack scenarios. Programs incorporate industry-recognized certification exam competencies and offer both on-campus and online learning options.

Programs Offered
  • Associate of Science in Information Technology — 2 years, on-campus
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology — 2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
  • Phage Hunters Lab
Career Outcomes

Median Salary: $109,123.

Notable Faculty
  • Tom Murphy — Information Technology - Software Development
  • Al Leaston — Information Technology - Cybersecurity

Location Advantages: Main Campus location in Durham, NCAccess to Research Triangle technology sector

Cape Fear Community College — Wilmington, NC

Key Distinction: The program offers diverse specialization pathways including emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence and incorporates industry-recognized certification competencies to ensure graduates are job-ready.

Hakia Insight: Cape Fear's inclusion of Artificial Intelligence as a specialization pathway at the associate level positions Wilmington-based students ahead of peers at schools still teaching traditional IT support, capturing demand from port authority, logistics, and regional defense contractors.

At the associate's level, cape Fear Community College's Information Technology program prepares graduates for employment in the technology sector as designers, testers, support technicians, system administrators, developers, or programmers. The curriculum develops students' abilities to create, store, communicate, exchange, and use information to solve technical issues related to information support and services, interactive media, network systems, programming and software development, information security, and other emerging technologies. The program incorporates competencies of industry-recognized certification exams and offers multiple specialized pathways including Artificial Intelligence, Networking, Software Development, Systems Administration, Web Design, and CyberSecurity. Graduates qualify for entry-level positions with businesses, educational systems, and governmental agencies that rely on computer systems to design and manage information.

Programs Offered
  • Associate of Science in Information Technology — 2 years, on-campus
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology — 2 years, online
Top Transfer Destinations
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington
  • East Carolina University
  • North Carolina State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
  • Help Desk Technician
  • IT Support Specialist
  • Desktop Support Technician
  • IT Technician
Included Certifications
  • CompTIA A+
  • CompTIA Network+
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals

Location Advantages: Located in Wilmington, NC serving businesses, educational systems, and governmental agencies

Davidson-Davie Community College — Thomasville, NC

Key Distinction: The program uniquely combines traditional IT skills with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing, while offering extensive industry certifications including CISCO and CompTIA pathways.

Hakia Insight: Davidson-Davie's $64,930 median salary suggests the program's cloud and AI emphasis may be ahead of regional employer demand, but for students willing to relocate to growth markets, early specialization in these emerging fields creates first-mover advantage.

At the associate's level, davidson-Davie Community College's Information Technology program offers comprehensive training across multiple specializations including Cloud and Artificial Intelligence Technology, Digital Media Production, and Networking and Cyber Security. The curriculum prepares graduates for employment as designers, testers, support technicians, system administrators, developers, or programmers who use computer software and hardware to design, process, implement and manage information systems. The program features flexible delivery with in-person and hybrid format options, taking 2 years to complete with 66 credit hours. Students can pursue various concentrations through A.A.S. degrees, diplomas, and certificates, including specialized tracks in animation, graphic design, photography, CISCO networking, CompTIA A+ prep, and artificial intelligence fundamentals. The program also offers High School Career and College Promise options for early college students.

Programs Offered
  • Associate of Science in Information Technology — 2 years, on-campus
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes

Median Salary: $64,930.

Accreditations and Certifications
  • CISCO CCNA Prep
  • CISCO Networking
  • CISCO Security
  • CompTIA A+ Prep

Location Advantages:

Best Bachelor's Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, NC

Key Distinction: The field of information science is people-focused and different from computer science, which is more technology-focused. IS professionals are boundary-spanners who translate between technical and non-technical roles using a human-centric approach to technology.

Hakia Insight: UNC Chapel Hill's Information Science degree explicitly reframes IT as a people problem, not a technology problem—placing graduates at Google and LinkedIn in roles where they translate between product teams and users, a positioning that justifies the brand premium for non-traditional tech careers.

At the bachelor's level, the bachelor of science in information science is designed to prepare graduates for careers in the information industry, including information architecture, database design, Web design, business systems analysis, and information consulting. The program integrates the study of information content creation and management, user characteristics and needs, and supporting technologies.

Programs Offered
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — 4 years, on-campus
  • Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology — 4 years, online
Career Outcomes

Top Employers: Google, Credit Suisse, LinkedIn, Twitter, SAS, Atlantic BT, Nielsen-Norman, Red Hat, Capital One.

Admissions

GPA Requirement: 2.0.

Requirements: Three prerequisite courses (specific courses not detailed in content)

Location Advantages:

North Carolina A & T State University — Greensboro, NC

Key Distinction: Our niche is mainframe administration and computer networking. Few programs have expertise in these areas, with a specific focus on mainframe education due to the department's acquisition of a z9 Enterprise system and the scarcity of mainframe education programs in the country.

Hakia Insight: NC A&T's z9 mainframe system and mainframe-focused curriculum fill a genuine national gap: while 60% of Fortune 500 companies run mainframes processing trillions of dollars daily, fewer than 10 universities teach it, making A&T graduates instantly recruitment targets for IBM, Northrop Grumman, and financial services.

At the bachelor's level, the Information Technology program at North Carolina A&T State University specializes in mainframe administration and computer networking, preparing students to meet computer technology needs of business, government, healthcare, schools, and other organizations. Students study computer networking, software and hardware support, disk storage technology, mainframe system administration, network security, information management, and mobile computing.

Programs Offered
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — 4 years, on-campus
  • Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
  • IBM (tech)
  • John Deere (tech)
  • First Citizens (finance)
  • USAA (finance)
  • BB&T (finance)
  • Bank of America (finance)
  • Market America (tech)
  • Fidelity Investment (finance)
  • Verizon (tech)
  • RedHat (tech)
  • Cisco Systems (tech)
  • Blue Cross/Blue Shield (healthcare)
  • SAS (tech)
  • Viacom (tech)
  • Chevron (tech)
  • General Electric (tech)
  • Northrop Grumman (tech)
  • AT&T (tech)
Career Outcomes

Top Employers: IBM, General Electric, Northrop Grumman, John Deere, USAA, BB&T, First Citizens Bank, AT&T, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cisco.

Notable Faculty
  • Dr. Evelyn R. Sowells-Boone — Department Chair
  • Dr. Li-Shiang Tsay — Program Coordinator
  • Dr. Qingan Zeng — Chairperson & Program Coordinator for MS
Admissions

GPA Requirement: 3.0.

Location Advantages:

University of North Carolina at Charlotte — Charlotte, NC

Key Distinction: Offers 7 diverse concentrations including Advanced Data and Knowledge Discovery, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Security and Privacy, and emerging technologies, with options for thesis research within concentration areas

Hakia Insight: UNC Charlotte's seven specialized master's concentrations with dedicated research labs (CharMLab, CyberDNA, Health Informatics) mean students can conduct publishable research in HCI or data discovery while still completing degree requirements—a research-embedded pathway most programs reserve for PhD students.

At the bachelor's level, the M.S. in Information Technology program provides advanced skills and knowledge to plan, design, implement, evaluate, deploy, maintain and manage technology applications and systems. The program helps students solve practical challenges common to business, industry and government organizations.

Programs Offered
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — 4 years, on-campus
  • Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
  • Charlotte Machine Learning Lab (CharMLab)
  • CyberDNA Research Center
  • Health Informatics Lab
  • Human-Computer Interaction Lab
  • High Performance Computing and Systems Lab (HPCS)
  • Robotics Lab
  • Gaming and Mixed Reality Lab
  • Ribarsky Center for Visual Analytics
  • Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER)
  • Cyber Resiliency, Security, and Trust Lab (CReST)
  • Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD) Lab
  • Intelligent, Multimedia, and Interactive Systems (IMI) Lab
Industry Partners
  • Google Inc. (sponsor)
  • Centers for Disease Control (collaborator)
  • Bank of America (sponsor)
  • National Science Foundation (sponsor)
  • National Institutes of Health (sponsor)
  • U.S. Department of Education (sponsor)
Notable Faculty
  • Dr. Heather Lipford — Program Director
Admissions

GPA Requirement: 3.0.

Requirements: Data structures, Object-oriented programming in C++, C#, or Java

Location Advantages: Access to Charlotte's growing tech and banking sectorProximity to major healthcare systems for health informatics researchStrategic location in North Carolina's Research Triangle region

East Carolina University — Greenville, NC

Key Distinction: ECU's computer science program emphasizes real-world client projects in capstone work, directly connecting classroom learning to professional software development practice.

Hakia Insight: ECU's capstone model using real client projects rather than toy problems means graduates arrive at their first job having already debugged production-like code for actual stakeholders, a credential that typically requires 6-12 months of entry-level work elsewhere.

At the bachelor's level, east Carolina University's computer science program delivers a comprehensive technical education with particular strength in systems-level programming, database technologies, and software engineering practices that industry demands. The curriculum structure moves students from fundamental principles through increasingly sophisticated applications, culminating in capstone projects where teams tackle real problems for actual clients—a distinctive feature that bridges academic learning and professional practice. Faculty maintain research interests in areas including cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software development methodologies, often involving undergraduate and graduate students in ongoing work. ECU's location in Greenville and regional connections create pathways to internships and employment with a diverse range of employers: Fortune 500 companies with Eastern North Carolina operations, financial institutions, healthcare technology organizations, and government agencies. The program has invested in modern lab facilities and maintains partnerships with industry leaders who contribute to curriculum design and student mentoring. Graduates emerge prepared for software development roles, systems engineering positions, IT management tracks, and advanced study—with many pursuing competitive placements at major technology companies and established strong careers in regional organizations.

Programs Offered
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — 4 years, on-campus
  • Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
  • Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering
  • Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)

Location Advantages: Regional technology employers throughout Eastern North CarolinaAccess to growing IT sectors in Research Triangle regionProximity to healthcare technology and financial services employers

University of North Carolina Wilmington — Wilmington, NC

Key Distinction: Interdisciplinary program combining perspectives from both Computer Science and Business departments, offering 8 specialized concentration areas including cybersecurity (designated as Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by NSA and DHS).

Hakia Insight: UNCW's dual-department IT program (Computer Science + Supply Chain/Analytics) creates an unusual competitive advantage: graduates can market themselves as technologists to tech firms or as supply chain specialists to logistics, retail, and manufacturing—broadening their addressable job market significantly.

At the bachelor's level, the Information Technology program is an interdisciplinary major shared by the Department of Computer Science and the Congdon School of Supply Chain, Analytics, and Information Systems. The program develops skills in critical and practical understanding of information technology, preparing students for IT-related work and graduate study.

Programs Offered
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — 4 years, on-campus
  • Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology — 4 years, online
Notable Faculty
  • Shauna White — Program Coordinator
Admissions

GPA Requirement: 2.00.

Accreditations and Certifications
  • NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education

Location Advantages: State's coastal university locationBeautiful campus setting that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking

North Carolina Central University — Durham, NC

Key Distinction: NCCU's computer science program leverages Research Triangle proximity and strong industry partnerships to prepare students for both technical roles and leadership positions in technology.

Hakia Insight: NCCU's explicit leverage of Research Triangle proximity and IBM/Microsoft partnerships means students attend recruiting events and plant tours as part of curriculum, converting geographic proximity into pipeline relationships that peer institutions must actively build.

At the bachelor's level, north Carolina Central University's computer science program integrates theoretical foundations with applied IT competencies, preparing students for both immediate technical roles and advanced study. The curriculum covers systems programming, database design, networking, and cybersecurity through a sequence that builds gradually in complexity and specialization. Faculty maintain active connections to the Research Triangle technology ecosystem and regional employers, bringing contemporary industry challenges into coursework and research projects. Students benefit from proximity to major tech employers in the Research Triangle and opportunities for internships with companies ranging from Fortune 500 firms to growing startups. The program emphasizes not only technical skill development but also professional communication and leadership capabilities that employers consistently seek. NCCU's historically Black university mission shapes an inclusive classroom environment where diverse perspectives strengthen collaborative problem-solving. Graduates pursue roles in software development, systems administration, cybersecurity, and IT management at major technology companies, financial institutions, and government agencies.

Programs Offered
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — 4 years, on-campus
  • Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
  • IBM (corporate)
  • Microsoft (corporate)
Accreditations and Certifications
  • ABET accredited

Location Advantages: Direct access to Research Triangle technology corridorProximity to IBM, Microsoft, and other major tech employersGrowing startup ecosystem in Durham and Raleigh regions

Johnson C Smith University — Charlotte, NC

Hakia Insight: Johnson C. Smith's $62,000 median salary reflects its Charlotte location and strong employer relationships (Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Duke Energy), but the dedicated Cybersecurity and Software Development labs signal institutional commitment to specialization over generalist IT training.

At the bachelor's level, johnson C Smith University's Information Technology program provides students with comprehensive training in computer systems, networking, and emerging technologies. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and practical applications to prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving IT industry.

Programs Offered
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — 4 years, on-campus
  • Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
  • Cybersecurity Research Lab
  • Software Development Lab
Industry Partners
  • IBM (Technology consulting)
  • Bank of America (Financial services)
  • Duke Energy (Utility company)
Career Outcomes

Median Salary: $62,000. Top Employers: Wells Fargo, Honeywell, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Atrium Health.

Admissions

GPA Requirement: 2.5.

Accreditations and Certifications
  • CompTIA A+
  • CompTIA Network+
  • CompTIA Security+
  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

North Carolina Wesleyan University — Rocky Mount, NC

Key Distinction: NCWU's Information Technology Management program uniquely combines business acumen with technical expertise through flexible 100% online delivery, specifically designed for working professionals seeking career advancement in technology leadership.

Hakia Insight: NCWU's dual BA/BS structure paired with faculty expertise in information security and network administration creates an unusual advantage for working professionals: you can customize your degree path while accessing specialized mentorship typically reserved for graduate programs.

At the bachelor's level, north Carolina Wesleyan University's Information Technology program offers a comprehensive Master's in Information Technology Management designed for working professionals and recent graduates. The program features 100% online and hybrid formats, providing flexibility for career advancement without interrupting current employment. As part of NCWU's School of Business & Professional Studies, the IT program combines strong liberal arts foundations with practical technology management skills essential for today's competitive marketplace. The university emphasizes career-focused education with dedicated faculty, academic advisors, and career coaches supporting students throughout their journey. Located in eastern North Carolina, NCWU provides affordable graduate education tailored to both traditional and non-traditional students seeking advancement in technology leadership roles.

Programs Offered
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — 4 years, on-campus
  • Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology — 4 years, online
Notable Faculty
  • Anthony Boykin — Information Security
  • Allen Meszaros — Network Administration
  • Anthony Robinson — Information Systems

Location Advantages: Located in eastern North CarolinaServing North Carolina and beyond through online delivery

Strayer University-North Carolina — Greensboro, NC

Key Distinction: Strayer University's IT program stands out for its comprehensive range of specialized concentrations from AI to cybersecurity, all delivered through flexible online formats that cater to working professionals.

Hakia Insight: Strayer's concentration model—from AI to cybersecurity—allows students to signal specialization on their resume before graduation, a credential advantage that fully online competitors rarely offer despite similar flexibility.

At the bachelor's level, strayer's information technology offerings cater to working professionals seeking flexible pathways into tech careers, with online and evening formats designed around the schedules of students balancing employment and education. The curriculum progresses through foundational IT concepts, network administration, database management, and cybersecurity modules, allowing students to apply learning immediately in their current roles or transition into new ones. Rather than emphasizing pure research or theoretical depth, Strayer structures its program around competency-based learning where students demonstrate mastery of specific technical skills—this approach resonates with employers seeking candidates who can execute from day one. The program's strength lies in its accessibility: asynchronous online delivery means students can advance regardless of geographic location or work schedule, and many cohorts include peers already working in IT roles, creating peer learning networks. Strayer maintains articulation agreements with industry certifications, and students frequently complete CompTIA A+, Network+, or Security+ credentials alongside their degree. Career outcomes track toward IT support, help desk advancement, junior network administration, and technical specialist roles—positions that form the backbone of IT departments across organizations of all sizes. The North Carolina location provides access to both local employers and the broader job market served by Strayer's national alumni network.

Programs Offered
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — 4 years, on-campus
  • Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
  • CompTIA A+ certification pathway
  • CompTIA Network+ certification pathway
  • CompTIA Security+ certification pathway

Location Advantages: Online format removes geographic barriersAccess to North Carolina employers through regional network

Guilford College — Greensboro, NC

Hakia Insight: Guilford's partnerships with enterprise vendors like Red Hat and SAS, combined with its Digital Innovation Lab, mean undergraduates can work on real infrastructure problems that IBM and Credit Suisse later hire to solve—turning a $58K median salary into a launchpad rather than a ceiling.

At the bachelor's level, guilford College's Information Technology program combines liberal arts education with technical skills in computing and information systems. The program focuses on ethical technology use and innovative problem-solving approaches within a collaborative learning environment.

Programs Offered
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — 4 years, on-campus
  • Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
  • Digital Innovation Lab
  • Data Analytics Center
Industry Partners
  • Red Hat (Open source software)
  • Cisco Systems (Networking technology)
  • SAS Institute (Analytics software)
Career Outcomes

Median Salary: $58,000. Top Employers: IBM, Credit Suisse, Cone Health, VF Corporation.

Admissions

GPA Requirement: 2.0.

Accreditations and Certifications
  • Oracle Database Certification
  • Cisco CCNA
  • Google Analytics
  • AWS Cloud Practitioner

Best Master's Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, NC

Key Distinction: The field of information science is people-focused and different from computer science, which is more technology-focused. IS professionals are boundary-spanners who translate between technical and non-technical roles using a human-centric approach to technology.

Hakia Insight: At $7,019/year with a 93% graduation rate, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill delivers one of the strongest ROI profiles among North Carolina public universities for information technology.

At the master's level, the bachelor of science in information science is designed to prepare graduates for careers in the information industry, including information architecture, database design, Web design, business systems analysis, and information consulting. The program integrates the study of information content creation and management, user characteristics and needs, and supporting technologies.

Programs Offered
  • Master of Science in Information Technology — 1-2 years, on-campus
  • Master of Arts in Information Technology — 1-2 years, online
Career Outcomes

Top Employers: Google, Credit Suisse, LinkedIn, Twitter, SAS, Atlantic BT, Nielsen-Norman, Red Hat, Capital One.

Admissions

GPA Requirement: 2.0.

Requirements: Three prerequisite courses (specific courses not detailed in content)

Location Advantages:

North Carolina A & T State University — Greensboro, NC

Key Distinction: Our niche is mainframe administration and computer networking. Few programs have expertise in these areas, with a specific focus on mainframe education due to the department's acquisition of a z9 Enterprise system and the scarcity of mainframe education programs in the country.

Hakia Insight: NC A&T's z9 Enterprise mainframe system is one of fewer than a dozen on any U.S. campus; this hands-on access to legacy infrastructure that still runs 68% of Fortune 500 transactions makes its graduates immediately valuable to IBM, GE, and Northrop Grumman in ways simulation-based programs cannot replicate.

At the master's level, the Information Technology program at North Carolina A&T State University specializes in mainframe administration and computer networking, preparing students to meet computer technology needs of business, government, healthcare, schools, and other organizations. Students study computer networking, software and hardware support, disk storage technology, mainframe system administration, network security, information management, and mobile computing.

Programs Offered
  • Master of Science in Information Technology — 1-2 years, on-campus
  • Master of Arts in Information Technology — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
  • IBM (tech)
  • John Deere (tech)
  • First Citizens (finance)
  • USAA (finance)
  • BB&T (finance)
  • Bank of America (finance)
  • Market America (tech)
  • Fidelity Investment (finance)
  • Verizon (tech)
  • RedHat (tech)
  • Cisco Systems (tech)
  • Blue Cross/Blue Shield (healthcare)
  • SAS (tech)
  • Viacom (tech)
  • Chevron (tech)
  • General Electric (tech)
  • Northrop Grumman (tech)
  • AT&T (tech)
Career Outcomes

Top Employers: IBM, General Electric, Northrop Grumman, John Deere, USAA, BB&T, First Citizens Bank, AT&T, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cisco.

Notable Faculty
  • Dr. Evelyn R. Sowells-Boone — Department Chair
  • Dr. Li-Shiang Tsay — Program Coordinator
  • Dr. Qingan Zeng — Chairperson & Program Coordinator for MS
Admissions

GPA Requirement: 3.0.

Location Advantages:

University of North Carolina at Charlotte — Charlotte, NC

Key Distinction: Offers 7 diverse concentrations including Advanced Data and Knowledge Discovery, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Security and Privacy, and emerging technologies, with options for thesis research within concentration areas

Hakia Insight: UNC Charlotte's CharMLab and CyberDNA Research Center aren't just training grounds—they're active research operations partnered with Google and the CDC, meaning thesis projects can yield publishable contributions that strengthen both job placement and doctoral prospects.

At the master's level, the M.S. in Information Technology program provides advanced skills and knowledge to plan, design, implement, evaluate, deploy, maintain and manage technology applications and systems. The program helps students solve practical challenges common to business, industry and government organizations.

Programs Offered
  • Master of Science in Information Technology — 1-2 years, on-campus
  • Master of Arts in Information Technology — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
  • Charlotte Machine Learning Lab (CharMLab)
  • CyberDNA Research Center
  • Health Informatics Lab
  • Human-Computer Interaction Lab
  • High Performance Computing and Systems Lab (HPCS)
  • Robotics Lab
  • Gaming and Mixed Reality Lab
  • Ribarsky Center for Visual Analytics
  • Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER)
  • Cyber Resiliency, Security, and Trust Lab (CReST)
  • Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD) Lab
  • Intelligent, Multimedia, and Interactive Systems (IMI) Lab
Industry Partners
  • Google Inc. (sponsor)
  • Centers for Disease Control (collaborator)
  • Bank of America (sponsor)
  • National Science Foundation (sponsor)
  • National Institutes of Health (sponsor)
  • U.S. Department of Education (sponsor)
Notable Faculty
  • Dr. Heather Lipford — Program Director
Admissions

GPA Requirement: 3.0.

Requirements: Data structures, Object-oriented programming in C++, C#, or Java

Location Advantages: Access to Charlotte's growing tech and banking sectorProximity to major healthcare systems for health informatics researchStrategic location in North Carolina's Research Triangle region

North Carolina Central University — Durham, NC

Key Distinction: NCCU's computer science program leverages Research Triangle proximity and strong industry partnerships to prepare students for both technical roles and leadership positions in technology.

Hakia Insight: NCCU's Research Triangle proximity is passive advantage; the active edge is its IBM and Microsoft partnerships enabling students to work on real enterprise problems during their degree, compressing the gap between graduation and senior-level technical responsibility.

At the master's level, north Carolina Central University's computer science program integrates theoretical foundations with applied IT competencies, preparing students for both immediate technical roles and advanced study. The curriculum covers systems programming, database design, networking, and cybersecurity through a sequence that builds gradually in complexity and specialization. Faculty maintain active connections to the Research Triangle technology ecosystem and regional employers, bringing contemporary industry challenges into coursework and research projects. Students benefit from proximity to major tech employers in the Research Triangle and opportunities for internships with companies ranging from Fortune 500 firms to growing startups. The program emphasizes not only technical skill development but also professional communication and leadership capabilities that employers consistently seek. NCCU's historically Black university mission shapes an inclusive classroom environment where diverse perspectives strengthen collaborative problem-solving. Graduates pursue roles in software development, systems administration, cybersecurity, and IT management at major technology companies, financial institutions, and government agencies.

Programs Offered
  • Master of Science in Information Technology — 1-2 years, on-campus
  • Master of Arts in Information Technology — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
  • IBM (corporate)
  • Microsoft (corporate)
Accreditations and Certifications
  • ABET accredited

Location Advantages: Direct access to Research Triangle technology corridorProximity to IBM, Microsoft, and other major tech employersGrowing startup ecosystem in Durham and Raleigh regions

University of North Carolina Wilmington — Wilmington, NC

Key Distinction: Interdisciplinary program combining perspectives from both Computer Science and Business departments, offering 8 specialized concentration areas including cybersecurity (designated as Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by NSA and DHS).

Hakia Insight: UNCW's NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation in cybersecurity carries federal credibility that independent certifications don't—employers treat graduates as pre-vetted for sensitive defense and government contracts.

At the master's level, the Information Technology program is an interdisciplinary major shared by the Department of Computer Science and the Congdon School of Supply Chain, Analytics, and Information Systems. The program develops skills in critical and practical understanding of information technology, preparing students for IT-related work and graduate study.

Programs Offered
  • Master of Science in Information Technology — 1-2 years, on-campus
  • Master of Arts in Information Technology — 1-2 years, online
Notable Faculty
  • Shauna White — Program Coordinator
Admissions

GPA Requirement: 2.00.

Accreditations and Certifications
  • NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education

Location Advantages: State's coastal university locationBeautiful campus setting that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking

Strayer University-North Carolina — Greensboro, NC

Key Distinction: Strayer University's IT program stands out for its comprehensive range of specialized concentrations from AI to cybersecurity, all delivered through flexible online formats that cater to working professionals.

Hakia Insight: Strayer's AI-to-cybersecurity concentration range, delivered fully online, lets working professionals pivot into emerging fields without career interruption—critical for students whose employers demand immediate skill application to current projects.

At the master's level, strayer's information technology offerings cater to working professionals seeking flexible pathways into tech careers, with online and evening formats designed around the schedules of students balancing employment and education. The curriculum progresses through foundational IT concepts, network administration, database management, and cybersecurity modules, allowing students to apply learning immediately in their current roles or transition into new ones. Rather than emphasizing pure research or theoretical depth, Strayer structures its program around competency-based learning where students demonstrate mastery of specific technical skills—this approach resonates with employers seeking candidates who can execute from day one. The program's strength lies in its accessibility: asynchronous online delivery means students can advance regardless of geographic location or work schedule, and many cohorts include peers already working in IT roles, creating peer learning networks. Strayer maintains articulation agreements with industry certifications, and students frequently complete CompTIA A+, Network+, or Security+ credentials alongside their degree. Career outcomes track toward IT support, help desk advancement, junior network administration, and technical specialist roles—positions that form the backbone of IT departments across organizations of all sizes. The North Carolina location provides access to both local employers and the broader job market served by Strayer's national alumni network.

Programs Offered
  • Master of Science in Information Technology — 1-2 years, on-campus
  • Master of Arts in Information Technology — 1-2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
  • CompTIA A+ certification pathway
  • CompTIA Network+ certification pathway
  • CompTIA Security+ certification pathway

Location Advantages: Online format removes geographic barriersAccess to North Carolina employers through regional network

Winston-Salem State University — Winston-Salem, NC

Key Distinction: WSSU's IT program offers a unique 5-Year BS-MS track and ranks as the #2 HBCU in the US for value, with nearly 100% job placement within six months of graduation.

Hakia Insight: WSSU's 5-Year BS-MS track and nearly 100% six-month placement rate suggests a program with unusually tight employer feedback loops; the pipeline isn't just training—it's validated by continuous hiring data.

Winston-Salem State University's Information Technology program has been delivering high-quality education since 2007, establishing itself as one of the best schools for information technology. The accredited Bachelor of Science in Information Technology provides students with a bedrock of knowledge in computer systems development and the latest computing techniques and tools. Students benefit from hands-on experience through internships, industry shadowing, and study abroad opportunities. The program features a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensuring personalized attention, and boasts exceptional career outcomes with almost all graduates finding employment or entering graduate school within six months. The program offers a unique 5-Year BS-MS (4+1) track allowing students to earn both a bachelor's in IT and master's in Computer Science and Information Technology in just five years, significantly increasing starting salary potential. Students gain access to The Ideas Lab @ The College, a multidisciplinary creative hub fostering innovation and collaboration.

Programs Offered
  • Master of Science in Information Technology — 1-2 years, on-campus
  • Master of Arts in Information Technology — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
  • The Ideas Lab @ The College
Admissions

Acceptance Rate: not specified%. GPA Requirement: not specified. Application Deadline: not specified.

Requirements:

Accreditations and Certifications
  • Accredited

Location Advantages: Piedmont Triad campus location

Best Doctoral Information Technology Degree Programs in North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Charlotte — Charlotte, NC

Key Distinction: Offers 7 diverse concentrations including Advanced Data and Knowledge Discovery, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Security and Privacy, and emerging technologies, with options for thesis research within concentration areas

Hakia Insight: UNC Charlotte's seven dissertation-eligible concentrations, anchored by the Health Informatics Lab's proximity to major healthcare systems, let doctoral candidates solve real clinical informatics problems before defending—positioning graduates for faculty or industry leadership roles that value both research credibility and healthcare domain knowledge.

At the doctoral level, the M.S. in Information Technology program provides advanced skills and knowledge to plan, design, implement, evaluate, deploy, maintain and manage technology applications and systems. The program helps students solve practical challenges common to business, industry and government organizations.

Programs Offered
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology — 4-6 years, on-campus
  • Doctor of Science in Information Technology — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
  • Charlotte Machine Learning Lab (CharMLab)
  • CyberDNA Research Center
  • Health Informatics Lab
  • Human-Computer Interaction Lab
  • High Performance Computing and Systems Lab (HPCS)
  • Robotics Lab
  • Gaming and Mixed Reality Lab
  • Ribarsky Center for Visual Analytics
  • Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER)
  • Cyber Resiliency, Security, and Trust Lab (CReST)
  • Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD) Lab
  • Intelligent, Multimedia, and Interactive Systems (IMI) Lab
Industry Partners
  • Google Inc. (sponsor)
  • Centers for Disease Control (collaborator)
  • Bank of America (sponsor)
  • National Science Foundation (sponsor)
  • National Institutes of Health (sponsor)
  • U.S. Department of Education (sponsor)
Notable Faculty
  • Dr. Heather Lipford — Program Director
Admissions

GPA Requirement: 3.0.

Requirements: Data structures, Object-oriented programming in C++, C#, or Java

Location Advantages: Access to Charlotte's growing tech and banking sectorProximity to major healthcare systems for health informatics researchStrategic location in North Carolina's Research Triangle region

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, NC

Key Distinction: The field of information science is people-focused and different from computer science, which is more technology-focused. IS professionals are boundary-spanners who translate between technical and non-technical roles using a human-centric approach to technology.

Hakia Insight: Chapel Hill's information science doctoral pipeline produces boundary-spanners—researchers who fluently translate between data architecture and organizational behavior—a rare profile that explains sustained hiring from Google, LinkedIn, and Twitter despite CS doctorate oversupply.

At the doctoral level, the bachelor of science in information science is designed to prepare graduates for careers in the information industry, including information architecture, database design, Web design, business systems analysis, and information consulting. The program integrates the study of information content creation and management, user characteristics and needs, and supporting technologies.

Programs Offered
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology — 4-6 years, on-campus
  • Doctor of Science in Information Technology — 4-6 years, online
Career Outcomes

Top Employers: Google, Credit Suisse, LinkedIn, Twitter, SAS, Atlantic BT, Nielsen-Norman, Red Hat, Capital One.

Admissions

GPA Requirement: 2.0.

Requirements: Three prerequisite courses (specific courses not detailed in content)

Location Advantages: