Information technology manager education requirements

Q: What degree do you need to be an IT manager?

You need a bachelor's degree in an IT-related field to be an IT manager. An IT manager is expected to hold, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in IT. It is preferred that the major should be in information technology, computer science, or management information systems. In addition, a degree in business administration would add to your portfolio. Another competitive edge for an IT manager is to have technical experience.

Q: What job can you get with an information studies degree?

You can get a job as a librarian, information manager, or data analyst with an information studies degree. With this degree, you can pursue a variety of careers in fields such as library science, information management, and data analysis. The knowledge and skills acquired in an information studies program can be applied to jobs that involve organizing, managing, and analyzing information.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an information technology manager. Information technology managers usually study computer science, business, or computer information systems. 64% of information technology managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 36,427 real information technology manager resumes to see exactly what information technology manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for information technology managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

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

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

What education do you need to become an information technology manager?

What degree do you need to be an information technology manager?

The most common degree for information technology managers is bachelor's degree, with 64% of information technology managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 17% and associate degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 64%

Associate, 17%

Master's, 12%

Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become an information technology manager?

You should major in computer science to become an information technology manager. 21% of information technology managers major in computer science. Other common majors for an information technology manager include business and computer information systems.

Computer Science, 21%

Business, 21%

Computer Information Systems, 9%

Information Technology, 8%

Other Majors, 41%

Most common colleges for information technology managers

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

Information technology manager common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	24.83%
DeVry University	10.86%
University of Maryland - College Park	6.50%
Pennsylvania State University	5.07%
University of Houston	4.85%

Show more common information technology manager colleges

Best majors for information technology managers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	20.7%
2	Business	20.5%
3	Computer Information Systems	9.4%
4	Information Technology	8.3%
5	Electrical Engineering	6.1%

Show more common information technology manager majors

Best colleges for information technology managers

The best colleges for information technology managers are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

An information technology manager 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 technology managers. 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 technology managers.

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 technology managers

Advertising disclosure

1. Strategic Technology Management

The success of modern companies depends critically on their manager’s ability to generate strategic innovationwhich leverages technological and market changes. A key part of the equation is delivering new products that deliver exceptional customer value. Another essential element is implementing innovation initiatives effectively. The Strategic Technology Management specialization is targeted towards aspiring managers, managers at all levels, and entrepreneurs who lookto gaina well-rounded...

2. 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,...

3. Information Technology Essentials

4.4

(575)

Introduction to Information Technology and Information Systems...

4. Active Directory on Windows Server

4.6

(8,804)

Learn how to deploy and manage all aspects of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and many more technologies...

5. Computer Hardware and Software

This course provides foundational understanding of how computers process information through hardware and software. You will investigate the world of Information Technology (IT) and survey hardware components, mobile devices, operating systems, programs and apps, network fundamentals, the Internet, and touch on security and ethics...

6. Information Systems Auditing, Controls and Assurance

The course is awarded The Best Free Online Courses of All Time, and Best Online Courses of the Year (2021 Edition) by Class Central (http://www.classcentral.com). --- Information systems (IS) are important assets to business organizations and are ubiquitous in our daily lives. With the latest IS technologies emerging, such as Big Data, FinTech, Virtual Banks, there are more concerns from the public on how organizations maintain systems’ integrity, such as data privacy, information security, the...

7. Beginner's Guide to Information Technology

4.5

(357)

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

8. 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...

9. The Absolute Beginners Guide to Information Technology 2023

4.6

(1,835)

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

10. Information Security Management Fundamentals for Non-Techies

4.6

(13,166)

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

11. [Active Directory] Management using Windows PowerShell

4.5

(1,078)

[Power Shell] Simplified practical knowledge for automation & management of [Active Directory] using Windows Power Shell...

12. Identity & Access Management - Azure Active Directory

4.5

(636)

Learn about Identity, Directory , SAML , OAUTH , Open ID Connect , Identity Security and Azure Active Directory...

13. ISACA CISM Certified Information Security Manager

(285)

One of the highest paid certifications! Become a Certified Information Security Manager!...

14. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp

4.5

(1,653)

Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...

15. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

4.1

(314)

For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...

16. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access

4.7

(4,916)

Training For Beginners - Become a Network Administrator in Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with Remote Server Access!...

17. Oracle Database 12c Backup and Recovery using RMAN

4.6

(377)

Master using RMAN in performing backup and recovery activities on Oracle Databases. No course covers the same topics!...

18. ISO/IEC 27005:2022. Information security risk management

4.6

(878)

Understand the framework proposed by ISO for managing information security risks in an organization...

19. Introduction to Corporate Information Security

4.1

(454)

This course explains why information security and its management are important for any modern organization...

20. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

4.1

(1,311)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)...

Top 10 most affordable universities for information technology managers

The most affordable schools for information technology managers 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 technology managers 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 technology managers.

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 technology managers

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

Some great schools for information technology managers 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 technology managers 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 technology managers

The easiest schools for information technology managers 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 technology manager 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 technology managers.

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 technology manager salary by education level

Information technology managers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $134,881 annually. With a Master's degree, information technology managers earn a median annual income of $132,068 compared to $123,558 for information technology managers with an Bachelor's degree.

Information technology manager education level	Information technology manager salary
Master's Degree	$132,068
Bachelor's Degree	$123,558
Doctorate Degree	$134,881
Some College/ Associate Degree	$102,630

Information technology manager education FAQs

What degree do you need to be an IT manager?

What job can you get with an information studies degree?

What is the best college for Information Technology Managers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.

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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.

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