Information Technology Schools and Programs in The United States

Information Technology Studies in The United States

Information technology (IT) is the field concerned with building, running and securing the computer systems, networks and applications that organisations depend on. In the United States it is taught alongside computer science but with a more applied focus: where computer science concentrates on theory and software design, IT programmes concentrate on networks, system administration, cybersecurity, databases and user support. Courses are offered at every level, from short certificates at community colleges to master's degrees at research universities.

How the degree is organised

There is no national list of degree titles in the US: each accredited institution designs its own programmes, so the same content may be called information technology, information systems, computer networking or cybersecurity. The usual levels are:

• Certificates of up to one or two years at community and technical colleges, often aimed at a specific skill such as Linux, networking or web technologies
• Associate degree (two years), frequently an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) that prepares for work, or a transfer degree that leads into a bachelor's programme
• Bachelor's degree (four years), usually a Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
• Master's degree (typically two years), for example a Master of Science in Information Systems

US credits reflect the hours a class meets each week; they are not ECTS credits. The academic year usually runs from August to May, and students normally declare their major at the end of the second year. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), computer and information sciences accounted for 34,800 associate degrees in 2021-22, 3 percent of all associate degrees conferred.

The schools' own pages show how varied the offer is. North Seattle College, a community college, lists certificates in cybersecurity and Linux, Associate of Applied Science degrees and pathways to two Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, and says many of its certificates are stackable: credits from a short certificate count towards a longer certificate or a degree. At Illinois State University the School of Information Technology offers majors in computer science, cybersecurity, information systems and computer networking, and a Master of Science in Information Systems. Drexel University describes its B.S. in Computing and Security Technology as a programme that teaches students to securely manage and operate IT infrastructure, combined with co-op work placements.

Accreditation, admission and visa

Institutional accreditation is what matters first: according to EducationUSA, recognition of credits and degrees by other institutions and by employers is linked to it. Individual computing programmes can in addition hold accreditation from ABET, which describes itself as a form of quality assurance for programmes in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology, and not as a ranking system. Academic accreditation in the US is voluntary and carried out by non-governmental organisations.

For a bachelor's degree you need to have finished secondary school and generally be at least 17, and US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. Before applying for a student visa you must be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which then issues the Form I-20 (or DS-2019 for exchange programmes). Degree students normally use the F visa.

Where to study information technology in the United States

This page lists 98 schools that teach information technology in the US. Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Norfolk and Miami have two each; the others are spread across the country. Examples include public universities such as Purdue University, The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), Illinois State University and Florida International University; private universities such as Drexel University, Cornell University and Carnegie Mellon University; community colleges such as North Seattle College and Johnson County Community College; and the online University of Phoenix. When comparing programmes, check whether the curriculum leans towards infrastructure and security or towards software, whether it includes internships or co-op placements, whether a two-year degree transfers into a bachelor's programme, and whether the courses prepare for industry certifications.

Careers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $109,470 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all occupations, and the group is projected to grow faster than average from 2025 to 2035, with about 280,000 openings a year. The outlook differs strongly by job:

• Information security analysts typically need a bachelor's degree; the median annual wage was $129,180 in May 2025 and employment is projected to grow 21 percent from 2025 to 2035
• Network and computer systems administrators typically need a bachelor's degree; the median annual wage was $99,130 and employment is projected to decline 4 percent
• Computer network support specialists typically need an associate degree; the median annual wage was $76,220, and overall employment of computer support specialists is projected to decline 3 percent

Frequently asked questions

Can I study IT at a community college?

Yes. Community colleges offer certificates and two-year associate degrees in IT, and they provide the first two years of a four-year degree. According to the BLS, computer network support specialists typically need an associate degree.

Does an IT degree need ABET accreditation?

No. Programme accreditation is voluntary. Check first that the institution itself is accredited, because recognition of credits and degrees is linked to that.

Which IT jobs are growing in the United States?

According to the BLS, employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 21 percent from 2025 to 2035, while employment of network administrators and computer support specialists is projected to decline slightly.