IT Administration graduates earn $85,063 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 21.0%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Information Security Analyst is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers IT Administration as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Computer Science and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
IT Administration is a focused area of study within Computer Science. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $85,063 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 1,271 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 46,791 students complete it each year. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$58,146
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?
Four years after finishing IT Administration, a typical graduate earns $85,063, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $59,326 and $117,649, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $58,146 at one year out to $85,063 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
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.
$83,558
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every IT Administration graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$59,32625th pct.
$85,063Median
$117,64975th pct.
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 428 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.
22%31%30%
Bachelor's31%
Master's30%
Associate's22%
What Can You Do With an IT Administration Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. IT Administration graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Computer & Information Systems Manager pays the most at $175,140/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Critical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingCritical 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.
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionProgrammingSystems EvaluationComplex 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.
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningSpeaking
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.
Critical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingActive 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.
ProgrammingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingJudgment 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.
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.
Systems AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingMonitoring
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
Not sure where to study IT Administration? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by IT Administration graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Computer Science Programs
IT Administration is not the only path through Computer Science: 11 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an IT Administration program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
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 salaryGraduates earn $85,063 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $58,146 at graduation to $85,063 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +21.0% over the next decade, with Information Security Analyst among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 182,600 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop 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 areas2 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?
$85,063 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $59,326 and $117,649, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an IT Administration degree?
$58,146 in the first year out. That grows to $85,063 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an IT Administration degree?
Computer & Information Systems Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $175,140 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an IT Administration program take?
Four years of full-time study for an IT Administration bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer IT Administration?
1,271 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an IT Administration degree worth it?
$85,063 median earnings four years out against $19,355 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between IT Administration and Computer Science?
IT Administration is the narrower of the two: Computer Science covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to IT Administration-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in IT Administration graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring IT Administration graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for IT Administration graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field 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. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for IT Administration graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +7.8% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Information Security Analyst is among the strongest-growth roles at +21.0%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Computer Science Programs
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