The best online information technology degree depends on more than the school’s name. For a financially sensible choice, compare the program’s accreditation, total credit requirements, transfer-credit policy, tuition structure, flexibility, and the technical skills it can help you build.
There was no authoritative 2025 ranking devoted specifically to online IT bachelor’s degrees. U.S. News published an overall Best Online Bachelor’s Programs ranking, while its separate 2025 information-technology ranking covered online master’s programs. The schools below are therefore compared by cost structure, curriculum, legitimacy, flexibility, and likely fit—not presented as an official national ranking.
Best online information technology degrees of 2025
| Program | Best for | Online format | Key financial consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University B.S. in Information Technology | A traditional, technically broad IT degree | Online option | Compare ASU’s total program cost and transfer-credit evaluation before enrolling |
| Western Governors University B.S. in Information Technology | Working adults and students who can progress quickly | Fully online, competency-based | Term-based tuition can reward faster progress, but requires independent study |
| Penn State World Campus B.S. in Information Sciences and Technology | Students prioritizing university recognition and breadth | 100% online | Tuition changes with accumulated credits and enrollment level |
| Oregon State University B.A. or B.S. in Business Information Systems | Business systems and applied technology | Online | Quarter credits and course-related expenses make headline tuition easy to underestimate |
| University of Maryland Global Campus B.S. in Computer Information Systems | Transfer students and eligible military students | Online courses available | Up to 90 transfer credits may substantially reduce the number of credits paid for |
1. Arizona State University: best traditional IT degree
Arizona State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology is the strongest choice for students who want a conventional university experience combined with a broad technical curriculum. The program covers agile software development, data management and analytics, network administration, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and technical electives. It also includes IT project-management concepts and is described as project-driven.
ASU’s degree page identifies the program as accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET under its information-technology criteria. That is an important distinction: ABET accreditation applies to the specified program, not automatically to every technology degree offered by the university.
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From a career-planning perspective, the breadth may reduce the need to return to school immediately for a specialization. A student can use electives and projects to build evidence in cloud, networking, cybersecurity, data, or software development. ASU also offers multiple enrollment sessions during the year and an accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s pathway.
Financial cautions
- The degree page reviewed does not provide a simple total program price in the supplied information, so prospective students should request a cost estimate based on transfer credits, course load, fees, and financial aid.
- Do not assume an online degree qualifies for the same immigration benefits as an on-campus program. ASU states that the STEM Optional Practical Training extension does not apply to students completing this degree through ASU Online.
- Verify whether individual courses are asynchronous, scheduled, proctored, or subject to other participation requirements before treating the program as completely self-paced.
Review ASU’s Information Technology degree details.
2. Western Governors University: best for flexibility and certifications
Western Governors University’s online B.S. in Information Technology is built for students who can learn independently and demonstrate competence without following a conventional semester-by-semester lecture schedule. The program contains 35 courses and requires students to complete at least 12 competency units during each six-month term.
That structure can be valuable for a working adult who already understands some of the material. Instead of paying separately for every credit, the student pays for the term and can potentially complete more work within that period. The financial advantage is not automatic, however. A student who needs the full term—or multiple terms—to complete the degree may not save money compared with a traditional per-credit program.
WGU includes opportunities for several industry certifications, including CompTIA certifications, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, LPI Linux Essentials, ITIL 4 Foundation, and CompTIA Project+. WGU says certification-exam costs are included in tuition, although some certifications can involve additional membership-related expenses. Passing a certification exam is also not guaranteed simply because the program includes preparation.
What the price does—and does not—tell you
The current program page lists tuition of $3,835 per six-month term. That figure should not be labeled the 2025 price unless an archived 2025 tuition page is being used. WGU also advertises a 39-month completion figure based on internal data. It is not a promise: transfer credits, prior knowledge, assessment results, and study time determine how quickly an individual finishes.
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WGU is a good financial fit for someone with a reliable weekly study schedule who can accelerate through familiar topics. It may be a poor fit for a student who needs frequent live instruction, fixed weekly deadlines, or a traditional classroom cohort.
Review WGU’s IT bachelor’s program.
3. Penn State World Campus: best for university reputation and breadth
Penn State World Campus offers a 100% online Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology. The program requires 125 credits and focuses on creating technology systems and solutions for organizations across industries. For students concerned about how an online degree will appear to employers, Penn State’s recognizable university name may be a meaningful consideration.
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The program is also part of a broader online technology portfolio. Penn State offers related bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity analytics and operations and security and risk analysis. Those may be more appropriate than the general information-sciences degree for someone with a clearly defined cybersecurity goal.
2025–26 tuition figures
For the 2025–26 academic year, World Campus lists undergraduate tuition of:
- $638 per credit for students with 59 or fewer accumulated credits;
- $685 per credit for students with 60 or more accumulated credits;
- $7,755 per semester for 12–19 credits at the lower-credit tier; and
- $8,371 per semester for 12–19 credits at the higher-credit tier.
These figures illustrate why multiplying $638 by 125 can produce a misleading estimate. Penn State assesses tuition by semester, accumulated-credit level, and enrollment level. Transfer credits can change both the number of credits remaining and the tuition tier that applies later in the program.
Before enrolling, ask for a term-by-term estimate that includes transfer credits, technology or course fees, books, and the point at which the higher accumulated-credit rate begins.
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Review Penn State World Campus’s IT programs and its tuition information.
4. Oregon State University: best for business systems and applied learning
Oregon State University’s online Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems is aimed at students who want to connect technology with business processes and organizational decision-making. Coursework emphasizes systems development, information technology, troubleshooting, business processes, and applied projects.
The degree requires at least 180 quarter credits, including 60 upper-division credits. That is equivalent to 120 semester credits, so the larger number does not mean students are completing 180 standard semester credits. Oregon State also requires an experiential-learning opportunity, such as a project, thesis, internship, or study-abroad experience. The university says this requirement can be completed from wherever the student is located.
The current program page lists tuition of $438 per quarter credit and says there is no additional nonresident charge. The listed rate excludes course materials, associated fees, and other expenses. At the headline rate, 180 quarter credits would equal $78,840 before those additional costs, but a personal estimate should account for transfer credit, institutional aid, changing rates, and the exact course sequence.
Oregon State ranked No. 7 in U.S. News’ 2025 overall Best Online Bachelor’s Programs ranking. That was a ranking of the university’s qualifying online bachelor’s offerings as a group—not a program-specific ranking of Business Information Systems.
Review Oregon State’s Business Information Systems degree.
Rank #4
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5. University of Maryland Global Campus: best for transfer and military affordability
The University of Maryland Global Campus offers an online Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems requiring 120 credits. Its most significant financial advantage is the ability to transfer up to 90 credits. A student who has already completed substantial college coursework, military training, or other eligible learning should obtain an official transfer evaluation before comparing total prices.
The curriculum includes information-technology concepts and information systems in organizations. Recommended electives allow students to build emphasis in artificial intelligence, computer science, cybersecurity technology, or data science. UMGC also says the curriculum can help prepare students for CAPM, PMI-ACP, and PMP certification exams. Preparation is not the same as certification; candidates must still meet the certifying organization’s requirements and pass the examination.
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- $337 per credit for Maryland residents;
- $499 per credit for out-of-state students; and
- $250 per credit for eligible military students.
Other fees may apply. For an out-of-state student completing all 120 credits at the listed rate, tuition alone would be $59,880 before fees, materials, aid, or rate changes. That is only a rough illustration, not a guaranteed degree price. For an eligible military student, the same simple calculation would be $30,000 before other expenses.
UMGC also offers a 120-credit online B.S. in Applied Technology. It allows broader customization across cybersecurity, computer science, information technology, and cyber operations and ends with a capstone involving a computer-based solution to a real-world business problem.
Review UMGC’s Computer Information Systems degree.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare the financial value of an online IT degree
- Get an official transfer evaluation. A program accepting 60 or 90 credits can have a very different total cost from one requiring nearly the full degree, even when its advertised per-credit rate is lower.
- Calculate the full attendance cost. Include tuition, institutional and technology fees, books, course materials, certification charges, laptop expenses, and any required proctoring or travel.
- Understand the billing model. Per-credit tuition, flat semester tuition, and six-month term tuition reward different study patterns. WGU’s term model may favor fast progress; Penn State’s rates change with accumulated credits; Oregon State uses quarter credits.
- Match the curriculum to the job you want. A broad IT degree may be useful for systems administration or technology support. A cybersecurity, cloud, data, software, or business-systems emphasis may provide a clearer project portfolio for a particular target role.
- Verify accreditation and delivery details. Check the exact program, not just the university. Also ask whether classes are asynchronous, whether attendance is scheduled, how exams are proctored, and whether internships or experiential learning can be completed remotely.
- Compare borrowing with expected earnings carefully. Do not treat a degree’s advertised completion time or certification list as a guaranteed salary outcome. Use the school’s actual net price, your expected borrowing, and realistic entry-level job prospects.
Common claims that need a closer look
“U.S. News ranked the best online IT bachelor’s degrees in 2025.”
Not exactly. The dedicated 2025 U.S. News information-technology category was for online master’s programs. The bachelor’s list was an overall online-bachelor’s ranking.
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“A university’s overall online ranking proves its IT degree is the best.”
It does not. An overall ranking evaluates qualifying online bachelor’s programs at the institution and is not necessarily a review of the specific IT curriculum.
“Online means completely asynchronous.”
Online delivery does not prove that every course is self-paced. Confirm live meetings, deadlines, proctored exams, internships, and other participation requirements with the program.
“The tuition rate is the total degree cost.”
It rarely is. Transfer credits, fees, materials, changing rates, certification expenses, and enrollment structure can materially change the final bill.
FAQ
Which online IT degree is the best overall for 2025?
Arizona State University is the strongest overall choice for a traditional IT bachelor’s degree because its online B.S. covers networking, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data, software development, and project management, and the program is identified as ABET-accredited. The best choice can differ based on transfer credits, budget, and learning style.
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Western Governors University is the most flexible of the programs reviewed because it uses competency-based, term-based study rather than a conventional semester lecture schedule. It is best suited to independent learners who can maintain a consistent study pace.
What is the cheapest online information technology degree?
There is no universal cheapest option without knowing residency, transfer credits, military eligibility, financial aid, and completion speed. UMGC lists a $250-per-credit military rate, while WGU charges $3,835 per six-month term on its current program page. Those figures are not directly comparable and exclude or may not reflect every expense.
Does an online IT degree qualify for STEM OPT?
Do not assume it does. ASU’s degree page specifically says the STEM Optional Practical Training extension does not apply to students completing this degree through ASU Online. International students should confirm eligibility with the school and an appropriately qualified immigration adviser.
The Bottom Line
Choose ASU for a traditional, ABET-accredited IT degree with broad technical coverage. Choose WGU for competency-based pacing and included certification opportunities. Choose Penn State World Campus for a recognizable university and broad online technology options. Choose Oregon State for business systems, applied projects, and technology-focused organizational problem-solving. Choose UMGC when transfer credits, military pricing, or a customizable computer-information-systems curriculum matters most.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The financially sound decision is the one based on your net cost and likely completion plan—not a marketing tuition rate or an institution-wide ranking. Get transfer evaluations and written term-by-term estimates before choosing.
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