Information technology professional education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an information technology professional. Information technology professionals usually study computer science, business, or computer information systems. 61% of information technology professionals hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,263 real information technology professional resumes to see exactly what information technology professional education sections show.

The most common colleges for information technology professionals are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.

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

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

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

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

The most common degree for information technology professionals is bachelor's degree, with 61% of information technology professionals earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 19% and associate degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 61%

Associate, 19%

Master's, 12%

High School Diploma, 3%

Other Degrees, 5%

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

You should major in computer science to become an information technology professional. 19% of information technology professionals major in computer science. Other common majors for an information technology professional include business and computer information systems.

Computer Science, 19%

Business, 18%

Computer Information Systems, 12%

Information Technology, 10%

Other Majors, 41%

Most common colleges for information technology professionals

Information technology professionals often get their degrees at DeVry University, University of Phoenix, and University of Georgia. Here are the most common colleges for information technology professionals in the US based on their resumes.

Information technology professional common college	Percentages
DeVry University	11.90%
University of Phoenix	10.32%
University of Georgia	7.14%
Texas A&M University	5.56%
University of Nevada - Las Vegas	5.56%

Show more common information technology professional colleges

Best majors for information technology professionals

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	18.7%
2	Business	17.6%
3	Computer Information Systems	12.3%
4	Information Technology	10.1%
5	Electrical Engineering	6.1%

Show more common information technology professional majors

Best colleges for information technology professionals

The best colleges for information technology professionals are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

An information technology professional 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 professionals. 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 professionals.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

7. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,530

Enrollment

4,571

20 best online courses for information technology professionals

Advertising disclosure

1. 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...

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. Beginner's Guide to Information Technology

4.5

(357)

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

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 Hardware and Operating Systems

Get ready to enter the thriving field of Information Technology (IT), with job ready skills! This beginner friendly course provides the core hardware and operating system knowledge needed by anyone new to IT and computer hardware who wants to start a new career in technology, including IT Support, Networking, Cybersecurity, and Software Development. You will first be introduced to computing fundamentals, the four functions of computing, and the benefits of computing. You will become...

7. 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...

8. 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...

9. 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...

10. Active Directory & Group Policy Administration for IT Techs

4.5

(651)

Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...

11. 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!...

12. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting

4.2

(1,443)

Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk , Helpdesk , IT Support , System Administration and IT...

13. Mastering Group Policy on Windows Server

4.7

(2,427)

An IT person's guide to managing Active Directory Users and Computers with Group Policy...

14. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp

4.5

(1,653)

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

15. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support

(409)

Learn the basic fundamentals of computer networking & OSI model for desktop support and IT service desk technicians...

16. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP

4.5

(2,165)

Making Next Gen Information Security Leaders...

17. TOTAL: Active Directory with Windows Server 2016

4.6

(2,189)

Identity, Access, and Authentication with Microsoft AD and Identity with Windows Server 2016...

18. Basic Computer Course - Windows 7/10 - IT & Desktop Support

4.7

(1,213)

Basic computer course with troubleshooting skills -computer hardware and computer networking, for IT support technicians...

19. 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...

20. [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...

Top 10 most affordable universities for information technology professionals

The most affordable schools for information technology professionals are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for information technology professionals 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 professionals.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

10. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for information technology professionals

The hardest universities for information technology professionals to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for information technology professionals 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 professionals 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,415

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for information technology professionals

The easiest schools for information technology professionals to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, barry university, and nyack college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an information technology professional 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 professionals.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

4. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

10. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

Average information technology professional salary by education level

According to our data, information technology professionals with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $91,582 annually. Information technology professionals with a Doctorate degree earn an average annual salary of $86,990.

Information technology professional education level	Information technology professional salary
Master's Degree	$91,582
High School Diploma or Less	$69,401
Bachelor's Degree	$78,417
Doctorate Degree	$86,990
Some College/ Associate Degree	$71,083

Information technology professional education FAQs

What is the best college for Information Technology Professionals?

Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical 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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