Information systems director education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an information systems director. Information systems directors usually study business, computer science, or computer information systems. 69% of information systems directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 2,883 real information systems director resumes to see exactly what information systems director education sections show.

The most common colleges for information systems directors are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online information systems director courses to help get the education required to be an information systems director.

There are certain information systems director certifications that you should consider. These information systems director certifications include IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

What education do you need to become an information systems director?

What degree do you need to be an information systems director?

The most common degree for information systems directors is bachelor's degree, with 69% of information systems directors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 16% and master's degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 69%

Master's, 16%

Associate, 12%

Diploma, 1%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become an information systems director?

You should major in business to become an information systems director. 25% of information systems directors major in business. Other common majors for an information systems director include computer science and computer information systems.

Business, 25%

Computer Science, 18%

Computer Information Systems, 9%

Accounting, 6%

Other Majors, 42%

Most common colleges for information systems directors

Information systems directors often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of Maryland - College Park, and DeVry University. Here are the most common colleges for information systems directors in the US based on their resumes.

Information systems director common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	16.19%
University of Maryland - College Park	9.35%
DeVry University	6.47%
University of Houston	6.47%
Arizona State University	5.04%

Show more common information systems director colleges

Best majors for information systems directors

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	24.6%
2	Computer Science	18.0%
3	Computer Information Systems	8.7%
4	Accounting	6.1%
5	Management Information Systems	5.5%

Show more common information systems director majors

Best colleges for information systems directors

The best colleges for information systems directors are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

An information systems director with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for information systems directors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become information systems directors.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

4. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

20 best online courses for information systems directors

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2. Information Systems

This specialization provides a robust introduction to the key principles and practices of Information Systems Management.\n\nThe first course describes how Information Systems address business problems. This takes the form of an IT alignment model that describes how Information Systems provide capabilities that enable or support organizational strategy. This component also includes an economic analysis of the Information System.\n\nThe second course in the specialization entails the practice of...

3. Information Technology Essentials

4.4

(575)

Introduction to Information Technology and Information Systems...

4. Certificate Program In Management Information Systems

4.1

(261)

Learn about the exciting world of Management Information Systems and its impact on the way organisations now function...

5. Introduction to Technical Support

Technical Support professionals are in great demand! This is the first course in the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate program, designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in technical support. You will begin this self-paced course by learning what Informational Technology (IT) support is all about. You'll find out the roles and responsibilities of Technical Support professionals and become familiar with all the different career paths you can take in Technical Support. You will also...

6. Introduction to Information Systems for Business

This Specialization is for learners seeking to develop skills in information systems. Through each course, learners will apply knowledge and skills to solve problems in their field (e.g., health informatics, legal, project management, customer experience/marketing, finance)...

7. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)

4.5

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Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...

8. Practical Aspects of Information System Audit (For Beginner)

4.5

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Practical Aspects of Information System Audit (For Beginners)...

9. Information Technology (IT) and Cloud Fundamentals

In today’s connected world, core knowledge of IT hardware, software, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies is vital for almost every function, or role within an organization. Adding storage, updating an operating system, connecting to a network, recognizing phishing, and setting up Cloud instances are some of the skills employees need or need help with. This five-course specialization provides prerequisite skills for almost all IT careers, including technical support specialist,...

10. The Absolute Beginners Guide to Information Technology 2023

4.6

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Gain a solid foundation knowledge of all 4 main branches of Information Technology...

11. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP

4.5

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Making Next Gen Information Security Leaders...

12. Essential Tools for Windows System Administrators

4.2

(325)

[Windows] [System Administration] Learn Windows Builtin Tools & Open Source Tools for Efficient System Administration...

13. Technology Systems Auditing (Part 1 of 2)

4.6

(1,262)

Technology Systems Auditing Training Course...

14. ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Information Security Management System

4.5

(10,956)

Learn how your company can protect its information with an ISMS that meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001...

15. Information Security Fundamentals - Cyber Security Bootcamp

4.2

(267)

A Beginners Awareness Guide on Information Security & Cyber Security to Keep Online and Offline Devices Safe!...

16. SQL Server High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR)

4.6

(1,258)

Dive deep into how SQL Server works to implement an effective high availability and disaster recovery solution...

17. Information Security Management Fundamentals for Non-Techies

4.6

(13,166)

Learn the Fundamentals of Information Security Management for Non-Techies...

18. Beginner's Guide to Information Technology

4.5

(357)

Learn the basics of Information Technology and Computer Engineering...

19. Remote Desktop Services Windows Server 2016

4.6

(1,444)

Learn RDS Sessions and Application on Windows Server 2016 and Get Everything You Need To Start Deploying RDS...

20. ISO/IEC 27002:2022. Information security controls

4.5

(770)

Learn about the comprehensive set of information security controls proposed by ISO/IEC 27002:2022...

Top 10 most affordable universities for information systems directors

The most affordable schools for information systems directors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for information systems directors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for information systems directors.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

5. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

8. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

10. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for information systems directors

The hardest universities for information systems directors to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for information systems directors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for information systems directors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for information systems directors

The easiest schools for information systems directors to get into are Barry University, capitol technology university, and ottawa university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an information systems director without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for information systems directors.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

3. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

4. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

6. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

7. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

8. Chestnut Hill College

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,026

9. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

10. Washington Adventist Hospital

Takoma Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

958

Average information systems director salary by education level

Information systems directors with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $150,973 annually. With a Master's degree, information systems directors earn a median annual income of $147,231 compared to $136,007 for information systems directors with an Bachelor's degree.

Information systems director education level	Information systems director salary
Master's Degree	$147,231
Bachelor's Degree	$136,007
Doctorate Degree	$150,973
Some College/ Associate Degree	$109,045

Information systems director education FAQs

What is the best college for Information Systems Directors?

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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