Computer/Information Technology Administration Degree

102 schools compared · Average earnings $59,803/yr

Students study IT project management, systems administration, technology strategy, cybersecurity governance, and how to lead technology teams within organizations. Graduates typically pursue careers as IT managers, systems administrators, chief technology officers, and technology consultants. This major prepares students for leadership roles that bridge technical expertise and business management.

What Computer/Information Technology Administration Graduates Do

Your career in IT administration often begins on the front lines. You might start by troubleshooting software glitches for colleagues or keeping an organization’s servers and routers running smoothly as a network administrator. However, be aware that these foundational roles face headwinds as automation handles more routine work.

The goal is to quickly advance into more strategic positions. You could become an information security analyst, a digital detective hunting for vulnerabilities and defending against cyberattacks in a rapidly growing field. Or you might pivot to project management, orchestrating teams to launch new software or upgrade infrastructure. With experience, you can lead entire departments as a computer and information systems manager, setting IT strategy and controlling budgets.

AI is fundamentally reshaping this path. With many roles having high AI exposure, routine monitoring and support tasks are being automated, shrinking traditional entry-level positions. Your value will shift from executing tasks to architecting systems, evaluating AI-driven security alerts, and making complex judgment calls. Success will depend on your ability to manage and leverage these powerful new tools.

Schools Offering
102
Avg Grad Earnings
$59,803/yr
Avg DegreeOutlook Score
69/100
AI Automation Risk
Very High
58% task exposure

Common Career Paths

Where Computer/Information Technology Administration graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 386,000 combined openings per year.

Career Path Salary Range Openings/yr Growth AI Risk
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
$134K$216K
55,600 +15.2% 53%
Managers, all other
$136,550
$100K$179K
106,700 +4.5% 47%
Database architects
$135,980
$108K$169K
4,000 +8.7% 94%
Computer network architects
$130,390
$102K$164K
11,200 +11.9% 61%
Information security analysts
$124,910
$92K$160K
16,000 +28.5% 65%
Computer occupations, all other
$108,970
$76K$148K
31,300 +8.2% 57%
Database administrators
$104,620
$76K$133K
3,800 -0.7% 94%
Project management specialists
$100,750
$77K$132K
78,200 +5.6% 55%
Web and digital interface designers
$98,090
$65K$142K
9,100 +7.0% 67%
Network and computer systems administrators
$96,800
$76K$123K
14,300 -4.2% 73%
Web developers
$90,930
$63K$124K
5,400 +7.5% 93%
Computer network support specialists
$73,340
$57K$96K
9,600 +1.8% 63%
Computer user support specialists
$60,340
$48K$77K
40,800 -3.7% 61%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
$134K $216K
55,600 openings/yr +15.2% growth 53% AI risk
Managers, all other
$136,550
$100K $179K
106,700 openings/yr +4.5% growth 47% AI risk
Database architects
$135,980
$108K $169K
4,000 openings/yr +8.7% growth 94% AI risk
Computer network architects
$130,390
$102K $164K
11,200 openings/yr +11.9% growth 61% AI risk
Information security analysts
$124,910
$92K $160K
16,000 openings/yr +28.5% growth 65% AI risk
Computer occupations, all other
$108,970
$76K $148K
31,300 openings/yr +8.2% growth 57% AI risk
Database administrators
$104,620
$76K $133K
3,800 openings/yr -0.7% growth 94% AI risk
Project management specialists
$100,750
$77K $132K
78,200 openings/yr +5.6% growth 55% AI risk
Web and digital interface designers
$98,090
$65K $142K
9,100 openings/yr +7.0% growth 67% AI risk
Network and computer systems administrators
$96,800
$76K $123K
14,300 openings/yr -4.2% growth 73% AI risk
Web developers
$90,930
$63K $124K
5,400 openings/yr +7.5% growth 93% AI risk
Computer network support specialists
$73,340
$57K $96K
9,600 openings/yr +1.8% growth 63% AI risk
Computer user support specialists
$60,340
$48K $77K
40,800 openings/yr -3.7% growth 61% AI risk

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).

Best Schools for Computer/Information Technology Administration

Top 20 of 102 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.

# School DW Score Earnings ROI
1 Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
87
81–88
$86,085/yr 18.2x
2 University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MD
86
81–88
$73,797/yr 31.2x
3 Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA
85
79–86
$60,691/yr 44.9x
4 Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, GA
84
79–86
$67,455/yr 25.3x
5 American Public University System
Charles Town, WV
84
79–86
$66,588/yr 27.1x
6 Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO
82
76–84
$58,911/yr 20.1x
7 Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
81
76–83
$67,678/yr 20.6x
8 Florida State College at Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
81
75–83
$59,503/yr 61.0x
9 Wilmington University
New Castle, DE
81
75–83
$56,597/yr 18.9x
10 University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
81
75–82
$55,773/yr 17.7x
11 The University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
81
75–82
$54,877/yr 23.4x
12 Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI
80
74–81
$77,810/yr 11.4x
13 Dakota State University
Madison, SD
80
74–82
$58,166/yr 20.5x
14 St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL
79
73–80
$54,560/yr 60.4x
15 Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN
79
73–80
$54,025/yr 19.7x
16 Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, FL
79
74–81
$51,368/yr 61.9x
17 University of Phoenix-Arizona
Phoenix, AZ
78
72–79
$60,401/yr 17.2x
18 Rasmussen University-Minnesota
St. Cloud, MN
78
72–80
$59,685/yr 16.5x
19 Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX
78
72–79
$58,127/yr 14.7x
20 SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY
78
72–80
$52,079/yr 21.9x

Highest Earning Computer/Information Technology Administration Programs

Schools where Computer/Information Technology Administration graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School 1-Year Earnings DW Score
Western Governors University $92,416/yr 77
Rochester Institute of Technology $89,032/yr 77
George Washington University $86,753/yr 62
University of Arkansas Grantham $86,607/yr 76
Capella University $86,085/yr 87
Brigham Young University $83,533/yr 76
DePaul University $79,863/yr 63
University of Nebraska at Omaha $79,671/yr 75
Drexel University $78,089/yr 70
Michigan Technological University $77,810/yr 80

Best ROI for Computer/Information Technology Administration

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Computer/Information Technology Administration.

School ROI Multiple Earnings DW Score
Palm Beach State College 61.9x $51,368/yr 79
Florida State College at Jacksonville 61.0x $59,503/yr 81
St Petersburg College 60.4x $54,560/yr 79
Pensacola State College 55.2x $52,764/yr 71
Kennesaw State University 44.9x $60,691/yr 85
University of Maryland Global Campus 31.2x $73,797/yr 86
Brigham Young University 31.1x $83,533/yr 76
American Public University System 27.1x $66,588/yr 84
Western Governors University 26.8x $92,416/yr 77
North Carolina A & T State University 26.0x $72,961/yr 74
Want to compare two Computer/Information Technology Administration programs side by side? Use the comparison tool →

Related Majors

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Consider the Trade Route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer/Information Technology Administration offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Computer/Information Technology Administration graduates earn?
Across 102 schools, Computer/Information Technology Administration graduates earn an average of $59,803 per year in their first year after graduation. Earnings range from $27,341 to $92,416 depending on the school.
What is the AI automation risk for Computer/Information Technology Administration?
Computer/Information Technology Administration is rated "Very High" for AI automation risk, with an average of 58% of job tasks exposed to large language models and AI tools. This means most career tasks in this field could be augmented or replaced by AI over the next decade.
Which school has the best Computer/Information Technology Administration program?
Based on our DegreeOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), Capella University ranks #1 for Computer/Information Technology Administration with a score of 87/100 and graduate earnings of $86,085/yr.
What's the outlook for a Computer/Information Technology Administration degree?
On average, Computer/Information Technology Administration graduates earn 15.3x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a strong return on investment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →