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Information technology systems manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an information technology systems manager. Information technology systems managers usually study computer science, business, or computer information systems. 64% of information technology systems managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,768 real information technology systems manager resumes to see exactly what information technology systems manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for information technology systems managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online information technology systems manager courses to help get the education required to be an information technology systems manager.
There are certain information technology systems manager certifications that you should consider. These information technology systems manager certifications include IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL) and Project Management Professional (PMP).
What education do you need to become an information technology systems manager?
What degree do you need to be an information technology systems manager?
- Bachelor's, 64%
- Associate, 18%
- Master's, 11%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become an information technology systems manager?
- Computer Science, 19%
- Business, 19%
- Other Majors, 42%
Most common colleges for information technology systems managers
| Information technology systems manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 16.67% |
| DeVry University | 8.77% |
| George Washington University, The | 5.70% |
| New York University | 5.26% |
| San Jose State University | 5.26% |
Best majors for information technology systems managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 19.3% |
| 2 | Business | 18.9% |
| 3 | Computer Information Systems | 12.2% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering | 8.0% |
| 5 | Information Technology | 7.1% |
Best colleges for information technology systems managers
The best colleges for information technology systems managers are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
An information technology systems 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 systems 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 systems 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 systems managers
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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...
2. System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services
This course will transition you from working on a single computer to an entire fleet. Systems administration is the field of IT that’s responsible for maintaining reliable computers systems in a multi-user environment. In this course, you’ll learn about the infrastructure services that keep all organizations, big and small, up and running. We’ll deep dive on cloud so that you’ll understand everything from typical cloud infrastructure setups to how to manage cloud resources. You'll also learn...
3. Certificate Program In Management Information Systems
Learn about the exciting world of Management Information Systems and its impact on the way organisations now function...
4. Information Technology Essentials
Introduction to Information Technology and Information Systems...
5. 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...
6. Active Directory on Windows Server
Learn how to deploy and manage all aspects of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and many more technologies...
7. [Active Directory] Management using Windows PowerShell
[Power Shell] Simplified practical knowledge for automation & management of [Active Directory] using Windows Power Shell...
8. Information Security Management Fundamentals for Non-Techies
Learn the Fundamentals of Information Security Management for Non-Techies...
9. Learning Path: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager
Manage your infrastructure and build advanced, practical concepts with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager...
10. ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Information Security Management System
Learn how your company can protect its information with an ISMS that meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001...
11. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)...
12. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)
Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...
13. VMware vSphere 6.0 Part 5 - VM Backup and Replication
Learn to backup and recover VMs using VMware Data Protection and how to replicate VMs using v Sphere Replication...
14. Risk Management for Cybersecurity and IT Managers
The management's guide to understanding Risk Management decisions in cybersecurity and information technology (IT)...
15. ISACA CISM Certified Information Security Manager
One of the highest paid certifications! Become a Certified Information Security Manager!...
16. ISO/IEC 27005:2022. Information security risk management
Understand the framework proposed by ISO for managing information security risks in an organization...
17. TOTAL: Active Directory with Windows Server 2016
Identity, Access, and Authentication with Microsoft AD and Identity with Windows Server 2016...
18. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp
Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...
19. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP
Making Next Gen Information Security Leaders...
20. Introduction to Corporate Information Security
This course explains why information security and its management are important for any modern organization...
Top 10 most affordable universities for information technology systems managers
The most affordable schools for information technology systems 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 systems 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 systems 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 systems managers
The hardest universities for information technology systems managers to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for information technology systems 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 systems 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
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
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 systems managers
The easiest schools for information technology systems 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 systems 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 systems 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 systems manager salary by education level
| Information technology systems manager education level | Information technology systems manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $142,644 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $134,394 |
| Doctorate Degree | $145,359 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $113,839 |
Information technology systems manager education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025