As the Information Age continues to evolve, major corporations and institutions are realizing the importance of archiving data so that it is accessible for authorized parties, but safe from breaches with proper encryption. There are many job opportunities for graduates who have earned a Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems, including Network and Computer Systems Administrators, who earn an average salary of $79,700, Computer Systems Analysts, who earn an average salary of $87,220, and Computer and Information Systems Managers who earn an average salary of $135,800. All of these jobs are expected to see an increase in the amount of positions over the next decade, and all are attainable with a bachelor’s degree. If you’re interested in joining a fast-growing and well-paying field, have a look at the top 10 online bachelor degree programs in Computer Information Systems.
10) Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University is a public university based in Clarksville, Tennessee, that was founded in 1927 and named after Austin Peay, the Governor of Tennessee at the time. The school’s athletic teams are therefore known as the “Governors”, and they compete in the Division I NCAA Ohio Valley Conference. The university is one of the fastest growing universities in Tennessee with a student population of 10,344, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1. Notable alumni of the university include United States Marine Corps Major General Ronald Bailey, former Tennessee State Senator Riley Darnell, and a slew of professional athletes, including basketball player James “Fly” Williams.
Austin Peay State University offers a Bachelor of Science online in three different concentrations within the field of Computer Information Systems. The concentrations are Systems Development, Internet and Web Technology, and Database Administration. There are also three minors that are available in online formats, which are in Web Technology, Mobile Software Technology and Information Assurance and Security. These different areas of concentration allow students to tailor their curriculum to their strengths and preferences. For students looking for an online bachelor’s degree with a versatile curriculum, Austin Peay State University is a great choice.
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- Out of State Tuition and Housing: $38,728
9) Grantham University
Grantham University is a for-profit university based in Lenexa, Kansas that offers online degree programs. It was founded in 1951, and is currently made up of four schools which are the Mark Skousen School of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Nursing and Allied Health, and the College of Engineering and Computer Science. The university has been providing accredited online degrees since 1961, giving it a lot of experience with distance learners. The total amount of students enrolled is 8,637, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 21 to 1.
Grantham University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science offers an online bachelor’s degree in Information Systems that requires the completion of 122 credit hours, which are usually completed in 38 months, though the university accepts a large amount of transfer credits. Students will need to complete a minimum of 15 credits of upper-level courses in their major. Their program is extremely flexible as courses begin every month. The Information Systems degree from Grantham University costs only $265 per credit hour, making it the most affordable degree on this list. For students looking to complete their online bachelor’s degree at minimal financial expense, Grantham University is a good option.
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- Out of State Tuition and Housing: $16,684
8) Champlain College
Champlain College is a private undergraduate college that was founded in 1878 and is located in Burlington, Vermont, next to Lake Champlain. The college has an active campus life, with a variety of student activities and publications, though it also has campuses based in Dublin, Ireland, and Montreal, Canada, as well as global partnerships around the world. The college offers a variety of online undergraduate degrees, as they accommodate distance learners from all around the world. The college’s student population is 4,778, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 16 to 1.
Champlain College offers an online bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Systems, which is meant to accommodate working professionals with flexible scheduling. Most courses take 7 weeks to complete, and are available with staggered scheduling, allowing students to find the time that is convenient for them. The college also allows students to transfer up to 90 credits from other institutions, as well as awarding students credit for professional experience or training. The flexibility of Champlain College’s online bachelor’s degree makes it a great option for potential students who have other responsibilities that create constraints for their time commitments.
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- Out of State Tuition and Housing: $56,306
7) Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University is a private research university with its main campus located in St. Louis Missouri. The university was founded in 1818, making it the oldest university west of the Mississippi River, and maintains a Roman Catholic and Jesuit affiliation. The university also has a campus based in Madrid, Spain. The student population of SLU is 16,591, but maintains an intimate student-to-teacher ratio of 9 to 1. Their athletic teams are called the Saint Louis Billikens, and they compete in the A-10 conference of NCAA Division I. Notable alumni of SLU include former President of Nicaragua Enrique Bolanos, film director James Gunn, and American soccer star Brian McBride.
Saint Louis University’s School for Professional Studies offers an online bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, which is presented in an accelerated format that is designed to give motivated students a quick path towards graduation. The major requires the completion of 120 credit hours, and students choose one of three tracks: Data Analytics, Information Security and Assurance, and Health Care Information Systems. All students will take foundation courses in the CIS major, which include Information Systems and Technology, Introduction to Programming, and Database Analysis and Design. For students looking for an online bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems form a name brand school with worldwide recognition, Saint Louis University is a great option.
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- Out of State Tuition and Housing: $56,014
6) Regis University
Regis University is a private Jesuit university that was founded in 1877 and is located in Denver, Colorado. The university is made up of five colleges: Regis College, The Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, The College of Contemporary Liberal Studies, the College of Computer and Information Sciences, and the College of Business and Economics. The Regis sports teams are called the Rangers, and they compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference which is part of NCAA’s Division II. Notable alumni include Mayor of Tusla, Oklahma, Dewey F. Bartlett Jr., NFL Hall of Famer Arnie Herber, and comedian and actor Bill Murray.
Regis University’s College of Computer and Information Sciences offers a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems that focuses on its students’ future careers by balancing theory and hands-on experience. The practical experience comes in the form of virtual-lab work where students will work with an Information Technology company such as Hewlett Packard, Oracle Academy, and SAP University Alliance. These real world experiences will prepare Regis students to excel when they seamlessly transition from school to profession. For students looking for a hands-on curriculum in the field of CIS, look no further than Regis University.
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- Out of State Tuition and Housing: $49,216
5) Post University
Post University is a private, for-profit university that was founded in 1890 and is located in Waterbury, Connecticut. The university has well regarded online programs, as U.S. News and World Report ranked them as the 19th best online program in the country. Post University has an active campus with a total student population of 7,681 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1. Their athletic teams are named the Eagles and they compete in the NCAA Division II, where they have won many championships in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. Notable alumni include Selim Noujaim, who is a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, Mario Abdo Benitez, who is a Senator of Paraguay, and Jay Alix, who is the founder of Alix Partners.
Post University offers a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems that can be taken on campus or online. The focus of the program is interdisciplinary, with equal focus on technology, computer science, and business. The program provides students the opportunity to get real-world experience with internships at companies like the Ford Motor Company, the U.S. government or military, and local businesses and corporations. Students will choose one of three concentrations: Cyber Security, Networking, or Software Engineering. If you are looking for an online program that will provide a multi-faceted understanding of Computer Information Systems and combine theory with real-world experience, look no further than Post University.
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- Out of State Tuition and Housing: $32,760
4) Bellevue University
Bellevue University is a private university that was established in 1966 and is located in Bellevue, Nebraska. It has historically tailored itself to adult education, with the majority of its undergraduate students aged 25 and over, though that does not come at the expense of an active campus. The total student population is 8,896, with about 5,500 of them being undergraduates. The class sizes are generally pretty large, as the student-to-faculty ratio is 31 to 1. The university’s athletic teams are called the Bruins, and they participate in the NAIA. Notable alumni include United States Army Major General Judd H. Lyons, Army National Guard Brigadier General Michael D. Navrkal, and Union Pacific Railway President James R. Young.
Bellevue University offers an on campus or online bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems that teaches students how to analyze and diagnose weak points within a server database. They offer four concentrations within CIS, which are Applications Development, Business Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Networking. All students will take 27 credit hours of core CIS curriculum, which include classes like Introduction to Programming Using C#, Business Telecommunications, and Structured System Analysis and Design. The degree is very affordable, with tuition costing, $298 per in-class credit hour, and $410 per online credit hour, making their degree the second most affordable on this list. For students looking for a practical education in CIS at an affordable price, Bellevue University is a great option.
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- Out of State Tuition and Housing: $17,814
3) The College of Saint Scholastica
The College of Saint Scholastica is a private college that was established in 1912, and is located in Duluth, Minnesota, with satellite campuses in Brainerd, St. Cloud, Rochester, St. Paul, and Phoenix, Arizona. The college has a lively urban campus with a student population of 4,351, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Their university fields 20 different athletic teams called the Saints, who compete in the NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. Notable alumni include both former mayor of Duluth, Don Ness and current mayor, Emily Larson, as well as ultramarathon runner and author, Scott Jurek.
The College of Saint Scholastica offers an online B.A. or B.S. in Computer Information Systems, with specific concentrations in Business Analysis, Health Informatics, or Software Development. The program also allows people to create their own custom concentration that consists of 24 elective credits, which accepts transfer credits from other institutions, providing students with the versatility to choose the specific path that is best for their interests and career goals. All students will be required to take core courses that include Computer Science Principles, Computer Architectures, and Programming with Java. The program requires students to complete 128 total credits which takes an average of 2-3 years to complete. The flexibility of their custom concentration is a unique offering among online bachelor degrees in CIS, so students who are looking to forge their own path in the field should have a look at the College of Saint Scholastica.
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- Out of State Tuition and Housing: $47,794
2) Liberty University
Liberty University is a private Christian university that is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The university has high-end research facilities which has earned it a Carnegie Classification as a doctoral research university. The university is the largest Christian university in the world, and the largest private, non-profit university in the United States with a student population of 75,756, while maintaining a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1. Their athletic teams are called the Flames, and they compete in the NCAA Division I, where they have one a total of six national championships. Notable alumni include recent Super Bowl Champion Quarterback Nick Foles, politician Chuck Baldwin, and musician Toby McKeehan (popularly known as TobyMac).
Liberty Universities School of Business offers an online Bachelor of Science in Information Systems that provides students with applied knowledge of technology in relation to business practices, with a foundation in Biblical principles. The program requires students to complete a total of 120 credits, though they allow up to 90 credits to be transferred from another institution. Courses take eight weeks to complete and there are eight different start dates each year, allowing students to choose the time of year that is convenient for them. Their CIS degrees can be specialized in Accounting Information Systems, Data Networking, Database, or Information Assurance, though students can choose the general curriculum as well. For students looking for an online bachelor’s degree in CIS from a university with worldwide name recognition and a basis in Christian principles, be sure to check out Liberty University.
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- Out of State Tuition and Housing: $37,645
1) Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a four-year public university that was founded in 1884 and is based in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The university was one of the first colleges to work with NASA’s Joint Venture Program, and many of their alumni have gone on to work for NASA. NSU has a large rural campus that comprises 916 acres, and is home to a student population of 9,819, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1. Their athletic teams are called the Demons, and they compete in the Southland Conference of NCAA Division I. Notable alumni include NFL rookie of the year Joe Delaney, former Speaker of the Louisiana House John B. Fournet, and NASA scientist Carolyn Huntoon.
Northwestern State University offers an online B.S. in Computer Information Systems that combines theoretical and practical hands-on classes to give students a well rounded education. The program offers four different concentrations, which are Application Development, Networking and Systems Management, Web Development, and Core Programming. The degree requires students to complete a total of 120 credits, with 80 credits coming from CIS core courses. Their CIS program has been recognized by the University of Louisiana system as an Area of Excellence, as their students have won 17 national titles in various competitions since 1999. Northwestern State University’s well rounded curriculum, as well as their schedule flexibility and overall affordability make it the number one online bachelor’s degree program in CIS.
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- Out of State Tuition and Housing: $21,102