The continued integration of computers and IT in day-to-day operations of all types of business is driving faster-than-average growth for these occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an additional 546,200 jobs by 2028.
An MBA is great preparation for management positions. The job outlook for computer and information systems manager positions is good, with 11 percent projected job growth between now and 2028.
Computer and information systems managers earn an average median salary of $142,530, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Comparatively, bachelor’s-level IT employees earn $86,320 per year.
We focused our research for this list on Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs with concentrations in information technology.
A main criteria was that programs be delivered fully or primarily online to ensure access for students regardless of schedules or geographic locations. Many programs are also offered on-campus, and students may have the option to complete their degree through a combination of online and on-campus classes.
As a measure of quality, we only reviewed programs offered by regionally accredited institutions. Additionally, many programs have programmatic accreditation through bodies like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), or the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
We evaluated the programs on their reputation, cost, outcomes, faculty, and flexibility. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score for each on a scale of 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.
Intelligent Pick
The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business at West Texas A&M University is an intelligent choice for students seeking an online Master of Business Administration with a specialization in computer information systems. Applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree with coursework that establishes proficiency in finance, accounting, and statistics. Most students complete this asynchronous program in two years, but working students are permitted to take up to six years. Faculty members in this learner-centered program are known for outstanding instruction and mentorship, including leading two winning teams of students in the national championship for Microsoft’s Imagine Cup software design invitational.
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Best Career Services
New Hampshire-based Rivier University offers an online Master of Business Administration in Information Technology Management through their Office of Graduate and Professional Studies. The program provides specialized coursework in technology that prepares students for careers in computer security, accounting management, innovation strategies, and more. Career services are a highlight of the program, which includes the university’s Employment Promise Program. This program guarantees invested students that they will land a full-time job within nine months of graduation. If they do not, they will receive additional financial or educational support until they do so. Other career services features are career advising, internship and employment assistance, and an exclusive student platform called Handshake.
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Best Corporate Partnerships
Information technology is one of seven concentrations Purdue University Global offers for its online Master of Business Administration students. The concentration requires four additional courses and examines critical concepts specific to information technology, such as systems analysis and design. In creating its MBA program, the school consulted a select panel of global business professionals. The curriculum uniquely features international business case studies. To attract top students already in the field, the program offers corporate partnerships to employees of Purdue Global partner organizations. Working applicants may also be eligible for a corporate tuition reduction. Other tuition reduction programs include those for international students and military members and veterans.
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Best Dual Degree Program
Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business offers an online, dual-degree Master of Business Administration option for seasoned business professionals. There are also eleven unique dual concentration options offered,making the program pop for being highly customizable. Concentrations include Finance, High Technology Management, and Innovation Entrepreneurship. Applicants are encouraged to have a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA and be currently employed with five years of leadership and work experience. The program was one of the first in the nation to offer a fully online AACSB-accredited (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) MBA program.
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Best Hybrid Program
The Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas offers a 100% online Master of Business Administration program with a concentration in technology management that can be completed in one to two years. The concentration stands out for being experiential and includes hands-on courses on topics like enterprise architecture, strategy and governance, project management, and programming concepts. More than 95% of faculty have significant industry experience, and class sizes are limited to less than 25 students to facilitate faculty-student interaction. All of the school’s MBA programs require students to complete the Capstone Consulting Experience, which dates back to 1973. It was one of the first student consulting and research programs in the U.S.
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Best Job Placement Rate
The online Master of Business Administration program through Stevens Institute of Technology had a remarkable job placement rate of 100% within 3 months of graduation for its class of 2021. It offers specialization in one of six areas, including information systems. This concentration takes a deep dive into the topics of service innovation, emerging technologies, technology integration, and process innovation and management. The program places a unique emphasis not only on academics but mental health by offering students access to Headspace, a wellness and meditation program. Faculty are regarded for their published research in subjects like inclusive leadership and the behavioral aspects of innovation and technology.
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Best for Cybersecurity
Information technology and cybersecurity are two of the seven concentrations available with an online Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina Greensboro’s Bryan School of Business and Economics. The program can be completed in less than 18 months and shines for being highly customizable with no set class times. Seasoned professionals to those with no professional work experience are invited to apply. A unique part of the application process is to submit a 60-second video introducing yourself. The business school holds dual accreditation in business and accounting from the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) — a distinction held by just 1% of business schools worldwide.
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Best Advisors
The California-based University of La Verne College of Business and Public Management offers an online Master of Business Administration with a concentration in information technology. This program is geared towards professionals with at least three years of work experience. With a completion time of one to three years, it focuses on management theory and real-world applications. Strong advising is the foundation of the program. Online students have full access to on-campus support services like academic and career advising via phone and video conferencing meetings. The program also stands out for special tuition rates for military members and their spouses and tuition-subsidized partnerships with more than 100 corporations and government agencies.
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Best for International Students
Florida Tech’s Master of Business Administration in Information Technology Management is housed under the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business and specializes in managing data in a global environment. A degree from the program prepares students for jobs like information technology director, chief technology officer, and management information systems director. The application process for international students is particularly notable in its ease and accessibility, including no application fee. About 90% of full-time faculty members hold a doctorate, and many have worked for multinational corporations. In addition to support from faculty, all students have access to student success coaches to help with any issue from ordering textbooks to class registration.
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Best for E-Commerce
Southern New Hampshire University’s online Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Information Technology Management can be completed in just 12 months. It prepares graduates for high-level careers in e-commerce and telecommunications. Courses include Advanced Information Technology, Enterprise Resource Planning, and Management of Information Technology. The program also stands out for its lower-than-most tuition rates and ease of transferring from other institutions. A core foundation of the university’s business school is making education more affordable and achievable for all. To that end, it was awarded a $1 million grant from Google in 2018 to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth who are not in school and underemployed or unemployed.
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For individuals seeking advancement in the computer and information technology sphere, there are a few options for gaining the skills and training you need. In some cases, on-the-job training and experience are sufficient for promotions. Other positions require the advanced technical knowledge that a master’s in information technology or computer science provides. An MBA in information technology is best suited for individuals who want to advance to management positions within an IT department.
Being a successful IT manager requires more than in-depth computer skills. You must be able to make decisions, communicate effectively, manage employees, and stay organized while juggling multiple projects. An MBA program will help you develop these skills, but you should evaluate your own aptitudes before pursuing this degree.
Beyond earning a degree in information technology, another way to advance your career and demonstrate your abilities is by obtaining professional certifications in different skills and software programs. Employers may seek job candidates who have these credentials or ask you to pursue them as a condition of employment. Some MBA programs include certification preparation and exams as part of their curriculum. Otherwise, certification is an additional commitment of time and money post-graduation.
Here are some questions to ask when researching MBA in Information Technology programs:
Other steps you should take at this point include researching programs’ application deadlines and admissions procedures. Every school has different processes for admissions, so keeping track of this information will help your admissions process go smoothly. You can also start gathering your application materials and planning how you will finance your degree. Financial aid options include student loans, scholarships, assistantships, and tuition assistance benefits from your employer.