by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Information Technology explores Information Technology. A Program That Focuses On The Design Of Technological Information Systems, Including Computing Systems, As Solutions To Business And Research Data And Communications Support Needs. Includes Instruction In The Principles Of Computer Hardware And Software Components, Algorithms, Databases, Telecommunications, User Tactics, Application Testing, And Human Interface Design. Read on to learn the essential details every information technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering information technology programs.
In the U.S., information technology is a popular field of study, with 42,322 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Information Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 668 schools to determine the best overall colleges for information technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of information technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Information Technology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations information technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a information technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a information technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several information technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,146 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6,751 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 14,026 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 20,045 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 182 |
People currently working in careers related to information technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 55.3% |
| Master’s degree | 14.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.6% |
| Some college courses | 3.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 1.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| First professional degree | 0.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in information technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in information technology prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to information technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to information technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Information Security Analysts | 583,513 | 12.3% |
| Data Scientists | 507,848 | 8.1% |
| Health Informatics Specialists | 415,445 | 3.5% |
| Database Architects | 335,771 | 4.3% |
| Clinical Data Managers | 300,656 | -0.9% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 273,210 | -1.7% |
| Telecommunications Engineering Specialists | 242,585 | 5.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of information technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $69,148 |
| 4 years | $77,570 |
| 5 years | $88,131 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for information technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers information technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Health Informatics Specialists | $156,714 |
| Database Architects | $148,480 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Telecommunications Engineering Specialists | $117,478 |
| Data Warehousing Specialists | $117,424 |
| Information Security Analysts | $111,930 |
| Data Scientists | $106,295 |
With 668 different information technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased information technology school rankings to help you.
Those considering information technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 67,926 |
| Informatics | 3,067 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 2,635 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 1,653 |
| Human-Centered Technology Design | 778 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
