Why This Matters
-
MAKE A SIX-FIGURE SALARY
A degree in information technology can qualify you for many well-paid positions in the tech industry. The median annual wage for these occupations is $100,530.
-
377,500 IT JOB OPENINGS EACH YEAR
Those who earn this degree are in high demand. Over the next decade, the number of computer and information technology jobs is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.
-
MAKE 18% MORE WITH AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE
When looking at workers across all occupations, those with an associate degree earn about 18% more than those with a high school diploma.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in information technology and systems degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education. Many of the programs on our list have been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of STEM-related programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online associate in information technology and systems degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
- 66 hours to write this article
- 200 universities and colleges we assessed
- 370 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Associate in Information Technology and Systems Programs
intelligent score 99.47
Award
Rankings
#1 Best Colleges
#1 Online Colleges
#4 The Best Schools
#6 Zdnet
#20 Best Accredited Colleges
School Information
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Graduation Rate: 56%
Admission Rate: 96%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$918
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
888-453-4737
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 99.04
Award
Rankings
#2 Best Colleges
#7 Best Accredited Colleges
#9 The Best Schools
#16 Zdnet
#17 Learn
School Information
Saint Leo, FL
Graduation Rate: 42%
Admission Rate: 71%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$410
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
855-446-4843
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 98.81
Award
Rankings
#3 Best Colleges
#11 Best Accredited Colleges
#13 The Best Schools
#15 Online Colleges
#18 Zdnet
School Information
Philadelphia, PA
Graduation Rate: 25%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$600
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
215-545-6400
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
intelligent score 98.04
Award
Rankings
#3 Best Accredited Colleges
#8 Best Colleges
#12 The Best Schools
#12 Zdnet
School Information
La Plata, MD
Graduation Rate: 24%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $140
Non-Resident: $315
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
301-934-2251
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 97.54
Award
Rankings
#1 Best Accredited Colleges
#6 Best Colleges
School Information
Fergus Falls, MN
Graduation Rate: 40%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$198
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
877-450-3322
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 97.31
Award
Rankings
#5 Online Colleges
#7 Learn
School Information
Grand Rapids, MI
Graduation Rate: 38%
Admission Rate: 98%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$928
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-686-1600
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 96.4
Award
Rankings
#6 Online Colleges
#13 Zdnet
#16 Learn
School Information
Manchester, NH
Graduation Rate: 36%
Admission Rate: 92%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$330
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
603-645-9611
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 93.33
Award
Rankings
#4 Best Colleges
#15 Zdnet
School Information
Asheboro, NC
Graduation Rate: 32%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65-67
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $76
Out-of-State: $268
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
336-633-0200
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65-67
intelligent score 91.31
Award
Rankings
#5 Best Colleges
#13 Best Accredited Colleges
School Information
Cranford, NJ
Graduation Rate: 26%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $214
Non-Resident: $385
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
908-497-4364
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 91.06
Award
Rankings
#4 Zdnet
#6 The Best Schools
#9 Best Colleges
School Information
St. Petersburg, FL
Graduation Rate: 35%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $111 - $122
Out-of-State: $386 - $425
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
727-341-4772
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 90.47
Award
Rankings
School Information
Lowell, MA
Graduation Rate: 62%
Admission Rate: 85%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$380
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
978-934-2474
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 90.16
Award
Rankings
School Information
Gallatin, TN
Graduation Rate: 24%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$176
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
615-230-3301
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 90.15
Award
Rankings
School Information
Rexburg, ID
Graduation Rate: 65%
Admission Rate: 97%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$135
accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
208-496-1411
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 89.81
Award
Rankings
School Information
San Antonio, TX
Graduation Rate: 51%
Admission Rate: 94%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$500
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
210-829-6000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 89.65
Award
Rankings
School Information
Fairbanks, AK
Graduation Rate: 34%
Admission Rate: 65%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, Hybrid and On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $289
Non-Resident: $855
accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
907-455-2060
Delivery Format
Online, Hybrid and On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 89.01
Award
Rankings
School Information
Sanford, FL
Graduation Rate: 43%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $79
Non-Resident: $316
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
407-708-4722
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 88.73
Award
Rankings
School Information
St. Louis Park, MN
Graduation Rate: 68%
Admission Rate: 94%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$515
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-596-0724
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 87.7
Award
Rankings
School Information
Toledo, OH
Graduation Rate: 49%
Admission Rate: 97%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $428
Non-Resident: $818
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-586-5336
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
intelligent score 86.26
Award
Rankings
School Information
Madison, SD
Graduation Rate: 42%
Admission Rate: 86%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $354
Non-Resident: $464
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
888-378-9988
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 85.77
Award
Rankings
School Information
Immaculata, PA
Graduation Rate: 69%
Admission Rate: 80%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus and Hybrid
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$250
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
610-647-4400
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus and Hybrid
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
intelligent score 85.23
Award
Rankings
School Information
Marion, IN
Graduation Rate: 54%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$305
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
866-498-4968
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 85.21
Award
Rankings
School Information
Jamestown, NY
Graduation Rate: 37%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $227
Non-Resident: $454
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-388-8557
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 84.39
Award
Rankings
School Information
University Park, PA
Graduation Rate: 70%
Admission Rate: 92%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$626 - $671
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
814-863-5386
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 83.93
Award
Rankings
School Information
Annandale, VA
Graduation Rate: 26%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $185
Non-Resident: $364
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
703-323-0300
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65
intelligent score 83.53
Award
Rankings
School Information
Paducah, KY
Graduation Rate: 43%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$186
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
270-534-3435
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-64
intelligent score 83.5
Award
Rankings
School Information
Winona, MN
Graduation Rate: 40%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$189
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
877-853-8324
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 83.5
Award
Rankings
School Information
Raleigh, NC
Graduation Rate: 26%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus and Hybrid
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $76
Out-of-State: $268
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
919-866-5000
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus and Hybrid
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65
intelligent score 82.11
Award
Rankings
School Information
Cincinnati, OH
Graduation Rate: 68%
Admission Rate: 85%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $296
Non-Resident: $311
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
513-556-0000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
intelligent score 81.9
Award
Rankings
School Information
Burlington, VT
Graduation Rate: 65%
Admission Rate: 62%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$335
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
866-637-6292
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 81.24
Award
Rankings
School Information
Kinston, NC
Graduation Rate: 24%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
70
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $76
Out-of-State: $268
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
252-527-6223
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
70
intelligent score 79.47
Award
Rankings
School Information
Duluth, MN
Graduation Rate: 34%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$183
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
218-733-7600
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 79.26
Award
Rankings
School Information
Appleton, WI
Graduation Rate: 58%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $188
Non-Resident: $283
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-735-3882
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
intelligent score 79.26
Award
Rankings
School Information
Port Angeles, WA
Graduation Rate: 48%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
90
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $123
Non-Resident: $140
accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
360-417-6340
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
90
intelligent score 78.9
Award
Rankings
School Information
Melbourne, FL
Graduation Rate: 63%
Admission Rate: 66%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,210
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
321-674-8000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
intelligent score 78.67
Award
Rankings
School Information
New York, NY
Graduation Rate: 60%
Admission Rate: 88%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$524
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
866-722-3338
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
intelligent score 77.55
Award
Rankings
School Information
Tempe, AZ
Graduation Rate: 13%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61-68
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Lower Division Courses:
County Resident: $97
Out-of-State: $253
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
480-517-8540
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61-68
intelligent score 74.91
Award
Rankings
School Information
Granite Falls, MN
Graduation Rate: 47%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$207
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-658-2330
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 74.57
Award
Rankings
School Information
Morganton, NC
Graduation Rate: 26%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
68
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $76
Out-of-State: $268
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
828-448-3500
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
68
intelligent score 74.51
Award
Rankings
School Information
Williamsburg, KY
Graduation Rate: 57%
Admission Rate: 85%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$220
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
606-539-4372
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
intelligent score 73.68
Award
Rankings
School Information
Sylva, NC
Graduation Rate: 42%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
77
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $76
Out-of-State: $268
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
828-339-4352
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
77
intelligent score 72.76
Award
Rankings
School Information
Buffalo, NY
Graduation Rate: 30%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-64.5
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $217
Non-Resident: $434
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
716-851-1322
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-64.5
intelligent score 71.77
Award
Rankings
School Information
Wausau, WI
Graduation Rate: 56%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-State: $146
Out-of-State: $219
accreditation
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
715-675-3331
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
65
intelligent score 71.06
Award
Rankings
School Information
Ridgecrest, CA
Graduation Rate: 18%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $46
Non-Resident: $388
accreditation
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
760-384-6100
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 70.17
Award
Rankings
School Information
Killeen, TX
Graduation Rate: 14%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $105 - $130
Non-Resident: $250
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
254-526-7161
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
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What You Should Know About This Degree
Degrees in information technology and information systems are often thought to be the same because both concern the use of computers. However, there are some important distinctions. Information technology is more focused on hardware, software, and telecommunications. Information systems is about the creation, sharing, and distribution of information generated by computers.
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). If your school isn’t accredited, you may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
The certifications and licensing required to enter the information technology field vary based on the specific occupation. Companies generally require information technology professionals to be certified in the products they use. Certification programs are typically offered by vendors, such as Cisco and Microsoft.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in information technology and systems programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Admission into associate degree programs requires a high school diploma or equivalency. Colleges and universities may also expect prospective students to meet a minimum GPA requirement. Check the program’s admissions requirements before applying to confirm that you meet their qualifications.
- What tests are required for this online degree? Some colleges and universities require new students to complete placement tests in the areas of English and math prior to enrolling in certain courses. Most college courses offered for academic credit require evaluations such as tests. Check the program’s graduation requirements to determine what testing may be required to earn an associate degree.
As you research programs, you should keep track of application deadlines and the materials you must submit for each institution. You can usually find this information on the school’s website or by contacting their admissions department.
It’s also important to consider how you will finance your education. Be sure to submit financial aid applications on time, and research potential sources of funding such as scholarships, grants, and tuition benefits from your employer.