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Information technology specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an information technology specialist. Information technology specialists usually study computer science, business, or information technology. 57% of information technology specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 25% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 36,272 real information technology specialist resumes to see exactly what information technology specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for information technology specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online information technology specialist courses to help get the education required to be an information technology specialist.
There are certain information technology specialist certifications that you should consider. These information technology specialist certifications include Security 5 Certification and Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP).
What education do you need to become an information technology specialist?
What degree do you need to be an information technology specialist?
- Bachelor's, 57%
- Associate, 25%
- Master's, 8%
- High School Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become an information technology specialist?
- Computer Science, 18%
- Business, 14%
- Other Majors, 41%
Most common colleges for information technology specialists
| Information technology specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 20.41% |
| DeVry University | 13.69% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 8.76% |
| Strayer University | 8.64% |
| George Mason University | 4.72% |
Best majors for information technology specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 18.4% |
| 2 | Business | 14.5% |
| 3 | Information Technology | 14.0% |
| 4 | Computer Information Systems | 12.7% |
| 5 | Computer Networking | 5.2% |
Best colleges for information technology specialists
The best colleges for information technology specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
An information technology specialist 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 specialists. 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 specialists.
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 specialists
Advertising disclosure
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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...
3. Information Technology Essentials
Introduction to Information Technology and Information Systems...
4. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking
For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...
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. Managing Network Security
Almost every organization uses computer networks to share their information and to support their business operations. When we allow network access to data it is exposed to threats from inside and outside of the organization. This course examines the threats associated with using internal and external networks and how to manage the protection of information when it’s accessible via networks. In this course, a learner will be able to: ● Describe the threats to data from information communication...
7. Beginner's Guide to Information Technology
Learn the basics of Information Technology and Computer Engineering...
8. The Absolute Beginners Guide to Information Technology 2023
Gain a solid foundation knowledge of all 4 main branches of Information Technology...
9. 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...
10. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp
Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...
11. Active Directory on Windows Server
Learn how to deploy and manage all aspects of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and many more technologies...
12. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access
Training For Beginners - Become a Network Administrator in Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with Remote Server Access!...
13. ISO/IEC 27002:2022. Information security controls
Learn about the comprehensive set of information security controls proposed by ISO/IEC 27002:2022...
14. Information Security Basics for IT Support Technicians
Learn the basics of information security and what you need to know to be compliant with data protection regulations...
15. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP
Making Next Gen Information Security Leaders...
16. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting
Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk , Helpdesk , IT Support , System Administration and IT...
17. Introduction to Corporate Information Security
This course explains why information security and its management are important for any modern organization...
18. TOTAL: Active Directory with Windows Server 2016
Identity, Access, and Authentication with Microsoft AD and Identity with Windows Server 2016...
19. Information Security Fundamentals - Cyber Security Bootcamp
A Beginners Awareness Guide on Information Security & Cyber Security to Keep Online and Offline Devices Safe!...
20. Information Security Management Fundamentals for Non-Techies
Learn the Fundamentals of Information Security Management for Non-Techies...
Top 10 most affordable universities for information technology specialists
The most affordable schools for information technology specialists are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for information technology specialists 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 specialists.
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 specialists
The hardest universities for information technology specialists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for information technology specialists 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 specialists 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
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
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 specialists
The easiest schools for information technology specialists 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 specialist 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 specialists.
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 specialist salary by education level
| Information technology specialist education level | Information technology specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $98,408 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $75,825 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $85,050 |
| Doctorate Degree | $93,763 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $77,551 |
Information technology specialist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025