by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, information technology was the 35th most popular major nationwide with 31,531 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 3,357 over the prior year, a growth of 10.6%.
This year's Best Information Technology Schools ranking compares 261 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom IT rankings further below.
Information Technology majors are found most commonly in careers in which using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems is important. Required skills include understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
information technology degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional IT certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
IT degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in information technology to something that takes less time like a . The type of IT degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to IT, with approximately 49.7% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for IT workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 51.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.5% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.5% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 6.4% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 5.2% |
79.8% of IT workers have at least a bachelor's. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in information technology have received.
The education level required is different depending on the IT career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your IT degree? Information Technology careers are expected to grow 17.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to information technology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Software Applications Developers | 1,086,600 | 30.7% |
| Computer Systems Analysts | 654,900 | 9.1% |
| Systems Software Developers | 472,100 | 11.1% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 411,800 | 12.0% |
| Computer Network Architects | 173,200 | 6.5% |
As you might expect, salaries for IT graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for information technology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers IT grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $152,860 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $123,850 |
| Systems Software Developers | $114,000 |
| Computer Network Architects | $111,130 |
| Software Applications Developers | $108,080 |
With over 1,253 different IT degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased IT school rankings to help you with this.
One of 5 majors within the Computer Information Systems area of study, Information Technology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Computer & Information Sciences | 51,681 |
| Informatics | 2,726 |
| Other Computer & Information Sciences | 1,887 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 518 |
| Human-Centered Technology Design | 91 |
