Computer technology is an essential part of everyday life and business success. Given the critical importance of technology in nearly every organization, many employers are looking for leaders who combine strong tech and business management skills. Earning an MBA in IT online can help you grow in both areas in a flexible format that works with your busy schedule.
With the wide selection of schools to choose from, you’re probably asking many questions, such as which schools offer the best programs, how much they cost, how to apply, and what the learning format will be like. We answer those and many other questions in this guide. Keep reading to start your path to earning your online MBA in information technology.
B-School Spotlights: Best Online MBA Information Technology Programs in 2021
Prospective students looking to earn an online MBA information technology degree benefit from choosing from many programs. To help you start your online degree search, we have found three standout schools that can help you reach the next level in a business or IT career. These schools are part of a larger list of ranked schools coming out later in 2021.
Maryville University
Students who enroll in Maryville University’s ACBSP-accredited Online Master of Business Administration in Information Technology program will enjoy maximum flexibility and affordability. This flexibility starts at the admission process, where applicants do not need to submit GRE or GMAT scores, nor is there an application fee. Once classes start, students can transfer prior coursework for MBA program credit, allowing them to complete their degree as quickly as possible. Some students will be able to graduate in as little as 14 months.
There are six different start dates, and the curriculum is 100% online. This means no on-campus visits are necessary to graduate. Students enjoy various forms of support as they progress through the program, such as personalized help, the ability to collaborate with peers and professors, and easy access to online technical support.
Western Governors University
Western Governor’s University is one of the leaders in distance education, offering many online programs, including its ACBSP-accredited Master of Business Administration Information Technology Management program. One of its key features is a competency-based learning format. This means students will progress through the program based on what they know, not what they complete. The curriculum comprises 11 courses, but if a student starts one class that covers a subject they’re already familiar with, they can look over the class materials then take an assessment. If they pass, they’re done with the course. This is the ultimate form of self-paced learning, with no need to wait for another term to start or for classmates to catch up.
For further flexibility, the classes are offered in an asynchronous format. This allows students to complete their coursework at a time and place that fits their schedule, even if it’s in the middle of the night or somewhere other than their home or office.
University of Wisconsin Whitewater
Students who want an education that will prepare them to take a management role in designing and implementing technology in an organization should strongly consider what the University of Wisconsin Whitewater has to offer. Students can enroll in the AACSB-accredited MBA program at its College of Business and Economics with an Information Technology Management emphasis. The curriculum consists of 36 credits. Most of these credits will cover the core MBA coursework and teach topics like Leadership Development, Quantitative Analysis for Business, and Fundamentals of Project Management. Students must complete nine credits in the information technology management area to complete their MBA IT online degree. For greater flexibility, students can take all of these classes online, on campus, or take a hybrid approach.
Upon completing the coursework, students will be fully prepared to begin their business and information technology careers. This is evidenced by the program’s 100% placement rate, with graduates taking on positions with job titles such as:
- IT Manager
- Project Manager
- Business Analyst
- Systems Analyst
What to Expect from an Online MBA in Information Technology Program
Depending on the student’s prior background, they may begin their degree journey by completing business classes in introductory subjects like finance, marketing, and accounting. Once a student completes these classes or shows competence, they will take the core curriculum courses. These cover topics like managerial economics, leadership, ethics, and business policy. Some programs will include a capstone course in the core curriculum, allowing students to demonstrate what they’ve learned in a comprehensive strategic plan-based project.
Then there are the information technology courses. Depending on the program, these will be a set group of courses in various information technology topics. There will be a group of electives, where students can take any class they want and not complete a concentration.
Many online MBA IT programs are 100% online, and many class requirements can be completed when most convenient for the student. This includes the ability to take classes on a part-time or full-time basis. This self-paced learning means students can control how quickly they graduate and how much time they want to devote to working while in school.
However, business schools understand the importance of collaborative learning and networking. That’s why even if much of the coursework can be completed online through asynchronous formats, like recorded lectures and discussion boards where students contribute at a time that’s best for them, many classes will still make live lectures or special synchronized groups sessions available. These give students a chance for real-time interactions with their professors or peers.
Common MBA IT Online Courses
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Economic Analysis
This class will address marketing challenges and management strategies for maintaining a productive teamwork environment to most effectively design and carry out a marketing plan. Various marketing campaigns that have successfully improved a company’s sales will be reviewed.
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Optimizing Brands
The fundamentals of building and maintaining a brand will be addressed, such as brand identity and how consumers build trust with a brand through the use of customer experiences with that brand. There will also be discussions about identifying market trends and conducting market research to help develop a brand creation strategy.
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Ethics in the Marketplace
In addition to explaining the legal parameters in which organizations may conduct business, this class will look at current ethical considerations. This includes examining how to target consumers, fairly price products and services, and protect privacy rights. The course material will be presented through the use of essays and reading business case studies.
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Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
This course instructs students about the basic concepts relating to data analytics and how to use this understanding in the business decision-making process. Specific concepts covered include data warehousing and business intelligence.
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Data Mining
Big data has been a positive development for businesses, but to use large amounts of information and artificial intelligence, an organization needs to find a way to gather that information. This course teaches students about different strategies and techniques for acquiring information and identifying patterns in that information.
What You Can Do with an MBA in Information Technology
The MBA IT online degree prepares students to combine expertise in business and management to understand computer technology. Given the critical importance of computer hardware and software in the efficient operations, combining information technology coursework with MBA coursework offers a synergistic benefit. Because so many organizations rely on information technology, even those in the non-profit sector, there is strong demand for MBA graduates with IT training. Below are some of the jobs an online MBA IT graduate can expect, including the kind of compensation offered.
Chief Information Officer
The CIO is responsible for the information technology operations of an entire organization. This requires them to understand the underlying technical concepts and ideas that support the IT infrastructure of a company and how these operations fit into the organization’s overall mission. With this dual understanding that comes from an online MBA IT degree, the CIO can improve an organization’s efficiency through improvements in its information systems.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| $62,290 | $184,460 | $208,000+ |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021
Computer Systems Manager
Computer systems managers handle the major computer-related operations in an organization. This can include not just ensuring safe and reliable running but also designing and planning new systems. It’s this latter role where an online MBA in IT can be helpful. Implementing new computer systems isn’t just about hardware and software, but about how those capabilities will fit in line with an organization’s mission, as well as its financial and technical limitations.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| $87,480 | $146,360 | $208,000+ |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Database Administrator
The role of a database administrator is to oversee the operations of database systems. These are computers and software that store and organize large amounts of data. A bachelor’s degree is usually needed to fulfill this role, but in organizations where databases play an integral role in how the organization can operate, having a broader understanding of the management and business decisions can be very useful.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| $51,800 | $93,750 | $148,060 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Computer Systems Analyst
A computer systems analyst finds ways for organizations to operate their computer and networking systems more efficiently and effectively. This advice can be enhanced with an intimate understanding of how an organization operates. That’s where the MBA in IT comes in and is why many employers prefer to hire computer systems analysts with this degree.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| $55,180 | $90,920 | $147,670 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Computer Systems Analyst
A computer systems analyst finds ways for organizations to operate their computer and networking systems more efficiently and effectively. This advice can be enhanced with an intimate understanding of how an organization operates. That’s where the MBA in IT comes in and is why many employers prefer to hire computer systems analysts with this degree.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| $55,180 | $90,920 | $147,670 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Costs and Financial Aid for Online MBA Degrees in Information Technology
To make an online MBA in information technology degree possible, there are many sources of financial aid. Some options include grants, scholarships, student loans, fellowships, and employer tuition reimbursement benefits. This latter option is promising for many MBA students because they sometimes have employers willing to help pay for their graduate education. For more information about the financial aid options available for your MBA online information technology degree, visit our financial aid page.
How Much Your Online MBA in Information Technology Might Cost
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Total Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
36 |
$479 |
$17,244 |
|
36 |
$620 |
$22,320 |
|
36 |
$1,250 |
$45,000 |
FAQs About Online Information Technology MBA Programs
What are the typical admissions requirements for an online MBA in information technology?
Each online MBA program with an information technology concentration will have its own unique admissions requirements. However, most of them will require the following:
- Application
- Application fee
- Recommendation letters
- Official transcripts, including those showing possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Statement of purpose or personal statement
- Resume or curriculum vitae
Programs will largely differ concerning GRE or GMAT scores. Many do not require them, and of the ones that do, most will waive them for certain applicants, such as those with an undergraduate GPA that meets a certain threshold.
Are there any online IT MBA programs that don’t require the GMAT?
A large number of online MBA information technology programs do not require the GMAT or GRE. These include schools like Southern New Hampshire University and Western Governors University. At other programs, a GMAT or GRE waiver is possible, like at Lawrence Technological University. Here, applicants with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or who already have a master’s degree do not need to take the GMAT or any other entrance exam.
How long will it take to complete my MBA in information technology online?
The majority of online MBA in IT programs will have curriculums that consist of about 36 credits. This means some of them can earn their MBA in one year for full-time students, such as with the online MBA IT program from Texas Tech University. For other programs, it might take a little more than a year to complete. Most programs, such as those at Rivier University, are set up to allow students to take classes part-time. With this lighter course load, students will usually take between one and two years to earn their degree.
Can I earn my MBA in information technology 100% online?
Because most MBA students want to work full-time while in school, most MBA information technology online degree programs will be offered 100% online. Depending on the school, some programs will allow students to take some of their courses on campus. However, this is usually optional.
What’s the difference between an MBA in information technology and a master’s in information technology?
A master of science in information technology and an MBA in information technology will prepare individuals for management positions in the IT field. However, the main difference between the two degrees is the emphasis placed on the subjects.
An MBA IT online degree curriculum consists of mostly business, management, accounting, and leadership courses, with information technology classes secondary. A master of science in information technology degree curriculum includes far more computer and technology-related coursework.
The MBA IT online degree is better suited for individuals who want to work in a business organization, but in an IT department or on information systems issues. In contrast, the master of science in information technology is ideal for individuals with strong information systems, IT, or computer science backgrounds who desire to take on leadership roles in an information technology company or related organization.
If a master’s in IT sounds like the better path for you, view our comprehensive guide on the best online master’s in information technology programs.
