Computer/Information Technology Administration Degree
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.
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 | 55,600 | +15.2% | 53% | |
| Managers, all other | 106,700 | +4.5% | 47% | |
| Database architects | 4,000 | +8.7% | 94% | |
| Computer network architects | 11,200 | +11.9% | 61% | |
| Information security analysts | 16,000 | +28.5% | 65% | |
| Computer occupations, all other | 31,300 | +8.2% | 57% | |
| Database administrators | 3,800 | -0.7% | 94% | |
| Project management specialists | 78,200 | +5.6% | 55% | |
| Web and digital interface designers | 9,100 | +7.0% | 67% | |
| Network and computer systems administrators | 14,300 | -4.2% | 73% | |
| Web developers | 5,400 | +7.5% | 93% | |
| Computer network support specialists | 9,600 | +1.8% | 63% | |
| Computer user support specialists | 40,800 | -3.7% | 61% |
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 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
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.