STEM Specialization

IT Administration

IT Administration graduates earn $85,063 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 28.5%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Information Security Analyst is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About IT Administration

IT Administration is a focused area of study within Computer Science. Graduates typically earn around $85,063 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 1,271 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 46,791 students complete this program each year. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$58,538
Median Earnings · 4yr
$85,063
Colleges Offering
1,271
Graduates / Year
46,791
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,355

How Much Do IT Administration Graduates Earn?

IT Administration graduates earn $85,063 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,326 and $117,649. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $58,538 climbs to $85,063 by year four.

$58,538
1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$85,063
4-Year National Median

Well above average for college graduates.

$81,639
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across IT Administration graduates. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.


Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $85,063 against an estimated $77,420 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 434 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 46,791 students who complete IT Administration programs each year, the majority (31%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 31%
Master's 30%
Associate's 22%

What Can You Do With an IT Administration Degree?

IT Administration connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Computer & Information Systems Manager leads at $175,140/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +15.2% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$175,140
$138K $221K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 55,600 openings/yr 671K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking Monitoring
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

  • Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
  • Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
  • Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
↗ +8.7% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$139,500
$109K $169K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 4,000 openings/yr 67K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Judgment and Decision Making Reading Comprehension Complex Problem Solving Critical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

  • Develop and document database architectures.
  • Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements.
  • Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements.
↗ +11.9% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$134,050
$105K $168K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 11,200 openings/yr 180K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Programming Systems Evaluation Complex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities

Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

  • Develop disaster recovery plans.
  • Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
  • Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
↗ +28.5% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$129,180
$98K $164K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 16,000 openings/yr 191K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Complex Problem Solving Active Listening Speaking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

  • Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
  • Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
  • Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
↘ -0.7% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$104,620
$80K $135K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 3,800 openings/yr 70K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Complex Problem Solving Reading Comprehension Judgment and Decision Making Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

  • Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
  • Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
  • Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.
↗ +7.0% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$104,000
$73K $159K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 9,100 openings/yr 113K employed nationally
Programming Active Listening Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Judgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

  • Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
  • Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
  • Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
↗ +5.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$102,320
$78K $133K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 78,200 openings/yr 1.1M employed nationally
Day-to-day responsibilities

Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.

↘ -4.2% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$99,130
$78K $127K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 14,300 openings/yr 314K employed nationally
Systems Analysis Judgment and Decision Making Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Monitoring
Day-to-day responsibilities

Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.

  • Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
  • Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
  • Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.

Top Colleges for IT Administration

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many IT Administration students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 ECPI University Virginia Beach, VA · For-Profit 705 74.5% $22,965 $42,837
2 New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit 636 9.2% $37,050 $82,509
3 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH · Nonprofit 611 99.5% $36,708 $50,318
4 MyComputerCareer at Columbus Columbus, OH · For-Profit 543 Open $25,970 $43,409
5 Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KY · Nonprofit 461 79.7% $19,341 $41,583
6 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public 444 60.6% $32,875 $63,435
7 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX · Public 432 86.8% $10,836 $57,131
8 Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA · Public 422 Open $9,919 $53,557
9 University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY · Nonprofit 348 98.8% $14,107 $45,036
10 Brigham Young University Provo, UT · Nonprofit 316 67.8% $15,564 $75,790
11 Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public 314 89.9% $14,967 $62,668
12 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA · Public 285 14.1% $12,116 $102,772
13 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit 276 11.7% $31,944 $114,862
14 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA · Public 252 90.4% $14,638 $54,914
15 Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, MN · Nonprofit 233 78.9% $18,462 $59,871
16 Champlain College Burlington, VT · Nonprofit 233 82.9% $35,860 $58,386
17 Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GA · Public 216 Open $6,696 $45,025
18 Pennsylvania State University-World Campus University Park, PA · Public 214 91.2% $19,550 $63,435
19 Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TX · Public 205 Open $4,337 $42,727
20 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY · Public 202 57.1% $3,203 $56,195

Ranked by IT Administration graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a IT Administration program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

IT Administration Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make IT Administration a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS
  • Strong median salary Graduates earn $85,063 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $58,538 at graduation to $85,063 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +28.5% over the next decade, with Information Security Analyst among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 192,200 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
  • Declining roles in some areas 2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.

IT Administration Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do IT Administration graduates earn?
IT Administration graduates earn a national median of $85,063 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,326 and $117,649. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a IT Administration degree?
One year after graduation, IT Administration degree holders earn a median of $58,538. That climbs to $85,063 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a IT Administration degree?
IT Administration degree holders pursue careers including Computer & Information Systems Manager, which pays a median of $175,140/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a IT Administration program take?
A IT Administration bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer IT Administration?
1,271 colleges and universities in the United States offer IT Administration programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a IT Administration degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $85,063 and an average net price of roughly $19,355/yr, a IT Administration degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between IT Administration and Computer Science?
IT Administration is a focused concentration within the broader Computer Science field. The Computer Science major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to IT Administration-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in IT Administration graduates?
Employers hiring IT Administration graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework.
Is graduate school worth it for IT Administration graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential, depending on specialization. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for IT Administration graduates?
The job outlook for IT Administration graduates is strong overall. Related occupations project an average of +9.0% job growth over the next 10 years. Information Security Analyst is among the strongest-growth roles at +28.5%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.

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