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For a U.S. student asking, “What is the best online college for a BS in IT?”, there is no universal winner. OnlineU’s 2026 top-ten list ranks eligible schools by verified student-review ratings—not by a demonstrated measure of teaching quality, graduate outcomes, or value. The schools below are useful starting points; the right choice depends on your net cost, transfer credits, schedule, curriculum, and accreditation needs.
10 online IT degrees in OnlineU’s 2026 ranking
OnlineU says eligible schools must be institutionally accredited, offer at least one fully online IT bachelor’s program, have at least five verified student reviews, and hold an aggregate rating of at least 2.5 out of 5. Its process starts with reviews tied to the exact degree and level and may expand to related programs or levels. OnlineU says it applies the same criteria to every school, including partner schools. The ranking reflects student feedback; it does not establish that a school provides stronger instruction, better career outcomes, or greater value than another.
The figures below are reported by OnlineU for 2026. “Median salary” means the median listed on OnlineU’s page; the page does not establish enough detail here about the salary cohort, data year, or calculation to attribute that figure to the degree. Annual tuition is not necessarily a student’s net price and may not include fees, aid, residency differences, or transfer-credit effects.
| Rank | School | Student rating | Recommend | Annual tuition listed | Median salary listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National American University Online | 4.15/5 | 60% | $9,690 | $63,521 |
| 2 | Western Governors University | 3.76/5 | 72% | $8,658 | $103,842 |
| 3 | Southern New Hampshire University Online | 3.58/5 | 69% | $10,260 | $78,230 |
| 4 | University of Phoenix | 3.31/5 | 56% | $11,940 | $70,589 |
| 5 | Arizona State University Online | 3.31/5 | 50% | $17,400 | $97,416 |
| 6 | ECPI University Online | 3.26/5 | 80% | $18,484 | $66,334 |
| 7 | Capella University | 3.19/5 | 62% | $10,680 | $103,418 |
| 8 | Purdue Global | 3.16/5 | 72% | $11,130 | $73,684 |
| 9 | University of Maryland Global Campus | 3.00/5 | 63% | $9,900 | $103,319 |
| 10 | National University | 2.96/5 | 80% | $11,100 | $78,572 |
All ranking, review, recommendation, tuition, and salary figures in the table are reported by OnlineU for 2026. Verify current tuition and fees with each school before comparing costs or making an enrollment decision. The reported salary figures are not a promise of what graduates earn or evidence that a particular degree caused that outcome.
#1 Best Overall
How to choose among online IT programs
A ranking can narrow the field, but it cannot tell you which program fits your circumstances. Compare the details that affect both what you will learn and what you will pay.
- Total net cost: Ask for a personalized estimate that includes mandatory fees, likely transfer credit, and any aid for which you qualify. A listed annual tuition figure is not the same as your final bill.
- Degree and course focus: Check the exact credential and curriculum. Information technology, information systems, and computer science are related fields, but they are not interchangeable degree names or course plans.
- Schedule and pace: Confirm whether coursework is asynchronous or scheduled, how long terms last, whether there are fixed deadlines, and what pace is realistic alongside work and family responsibilities.
- Transfer and prior learning: Get written confirmation of how your previous college credits, certifications, or other credentials apply, and how much time and tuition that could save.
- Accreditation and next steps: Confirm the institution’s recognized institutional accreditation and check whether the exact program has relevant programmatic accreditation. If a particular employer, license, or graduate program is your goal, ask that destination what it requires.
- Student support: Ask what academic advising, technical support, career services, and access to instructors look like for online students.
Programs with useful differences to compare
The following examples have specific format, curriculum, or accreditation features described by the schools themselves. Those official pages explain program claims; they are not independent evaluations of quality. Confirm current details directly with each institution.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
Western Governors University: competency-based progress
WGU says students can progress by demonstrating mastery, without fixed class login times or assignment due dates. Its IT degree page lists scripting, programming, data management, business of IT, Python automation, cloud and network security, service management, and agile project management. The school also lists tuition by six-month term, so ask how the term structure and your likely pace affect your total cost.
Southern New Hampshire University: BA and BS options
SNHU lists both BA and BS degrees in Information Technologies. Its program information says the BA has more free elective credits and is more transfer-friendly, while the BS offers five-course concentrations. The page captured for this comparison listed $354 per credit and eight-week terms; verify the live price and current program details with SNHU before relying on those figures.
George Mason University: online BS with ABET accreditation
George Mason describes its 120-credit BS in IT as fully online and ABET-accredited. Its core areas include information systems, networking, cybersecurity, and web technologies. The university also emphasizes problem-solving, communication, and technical skills in its program description. Confirm that the current program and accreditation meet your intended academic or career requirements.
Purdue Global: ABET-accredited online BS
Purdue Global says its online BS in IT is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission and that the institution is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. These are distinct accreditation claims: programmatic accreditation applies to a specific program, while institutional accreditation applies to the institution. Check the current status and whether either is relevant to your goals.
Rank #4
Colorado State University Global: monthly starts and credential credit
CSU Global describes a fully online BS in IT with monthly starts and accelerated courses. It says existing IT credentials or certifications may earn credit. Ask the school to evaluate your specific credentials and explain any transfer limits before counting on credit toward graduation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What accreditation does—and does not—tell you
Institutional and programmatic accreditation answer different questions. Institutional accreditation concerns the school as a whole; programmatic accreditation applies to a particular program or field. A program’s accreditation does not replace checking the institution’s status. Nor does a ranking, student rating, or accreditation label by itself establish that a program suits your budget, learning needs, employer, or plans for further study. Verify the relevant status and requirements with the school and, when applicable, the organization or institution where you intend to use the degree.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Questions to ask before enrolling
- What will my estimated total cost be after mandatory fees, financial aid, and evaluated transfer credits?
- How many of my existing credits or credentials will count, and can I get that evaluation in writing?
- What is the exact degree name, and which courses or concentrations match the work I want to do?
- Are classes self-paced, asynchronous, or scheduled? What deadlines and term lengths should I expect?
- What institutional and programmatic accreditation apply to this school and this specific program?
- What academic, technical, and career support can online students use?
- Will this exact credential satisfy my employer’s, intended graduate program’s, or relevant licensing body’s requirements?
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