Easiest Information Technology Degree Programs for 2027

Information technology degrees prepare students for in-demand roles in areas like networking, cybersecurity, and technical support. Because many programs focus on practical skills and hands-on learning rather than heavy theory, they are often considered among easiest college degrees for students interested in entering the tech field without pursuing highly advanced mathematics or engineering coursework.

Within the field itself, some options are also viewed as more accessible than others. Certain programs, especially at the associate level, can be some of the easiest tech degrees because they emphasize foundational skills and career-ready training instead of more complex, specialized topics.

In this article, we’ll explore information technology degrees that offer a more manageable path and what to look for when selecting a program.

What Is the Easiest Information Technology Degree You Can Earn?

The easiest degree in information technology is an online associate program for students interested in acquiring foundational skills and knowledge to pursue entry-level roles and quickly enter the workforce.

The types of degree paths available include:

• Associate Degree in Information Technology
• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology
• Master's Degree in Information Technology
• Doctorate Degree in Information Technology

Information technology has a significant impact on our daily lives, and students can earn various degrees to further their college education and job prospects in the industry.

What Makes an Information Technology Degree Easier?

Online IT programs tend to be accessible for two reasons: how they’re delivered, and what they expect you to bring. Flexible, asynchronous coursework lets you fit classes around a job and family obligations, and most programs emphasize applied technical skills over the advanced mathematics and engineering theory that make other technical majors harder to break into.

Length is the other factor, and you have options. An associate degree typically takes about two years, making it the quickest route into entry-level work and the least expensive path overall. A bachelor’s runs roughly four years, though generous transfer policies can shorten that considerably — some online universities accept 90 credits or more from prior coursework, military training, or certifications you already hold.

Cost tracks closely with length, so a shorter program means fewer credits to pay for. That matters when you’re weighing tuition against a paycheck. Many schools also build stackable pathways, where credits from an associate degree apply directly toward a bachelor’s, letting you stop or continue as your budget allows.

What Topics Are Covered in an Information Technology Associate Program?

IT degrees come in several forms, and the designation tells you something about the balance between hands-on training and general education. Common options include:

• Associate of Science (AS): Weights technical coursework alongside transferable general education credits, which suits you if a bachelor’s is the eventual goal.
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS): Concentrates on job-ready technical skills with fewer general education requirements, built for entering the workforce quickly.
• Associate of Arts (AA): Pairs a broader liberal arts foundation with IT coursework, often structured as a focused elective area.
• Bachelor of Science (BS): The most common four-year IT credential, going deeper into systems administration, security, and infrastructure management.
• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Covers similar technical ground with more room in the electives and a wider general education core.

Whichever level you choose, core coursework builds broad knowledge across the field before you specialize. Topics commonly covered include:

• Information systems management: How organizations plan, deploy, and maintain the systems their operations depend on.
• Computer essentials: Hardware, operating systems, and the fundamentals that underpin everything else.
• Networking fundamentals: How data moves between devices, and how to configure and troubleshoot those connections.
• Security foundations: Spotting vulnerabilities and applying safeguards that protect data and users.
• Data analytics: Collecting, interpreting, and presenting data to support business decisions.

Many programs also align coursework with industry certifications, so you can graduate holding credentials employers screen for — CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ are among the most common. Some schools build the certification exams into the curriculum at no additional cost.

Schools Offering Online Degrees in Information Technology

The following are examples of accredited institutions where prospective students can earn an associate degree in information technology through the convenience of online learning and flexible coursework.

Franklin University

Franklin University’s A.S. in Information Technology runs 100% online in six- and 12-week courses, covering the fundamentals of technology-based problem solving: programming, configuring computer networks, cybersecurity, and administering database systems.

The 64-credit degree accepts up to 77% of its requirements as transfer credit, which shortens the path considerably if you already have college coursework behind you. Every course also applies directly to Franklin’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Technology, so the associate functions either as a standalone credential or as the first half of a bachelor’s. Franklin is a private nonprofit built specifically for working adults.

Excelsior University

Excelsior University offers two online routes into the field: an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Computer Technologies and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology that carries programmatic accreditation from the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Transfer policy is what sets Excelsior apart. The bachelor’s program accepts up to 113 of its 120 credits from prior coursework, with a median of 43 credits accepted, and the university awards credit for military training. If you are coming back to school with credits scattered across several institutions, that policy can cut substantial time off the degree.

Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) takes a competency-based approach to its online BS in Information Technology, so you advance by demonstrating what you already know rather than logging seat time. Students who arrive with hands-on IT experience often move quickly through familiar material.

The program builds industry certifications directly into the coursework, including CompTIA and CIW credentials, at no added time or cost. Tuition is charged per six-month term rather than per credit, which means finishing faster also costs less. WGU is a private nonprofit university.

Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University (CSU) Global built its online BS in Information Technology around certification readiness, mapping coursework to credentials from CompTIA, EC-Council, AWS, and Microsoft while covering software engineering, cybersecurity, networks, and cloud computing.

The 120-credit program accepts up to 90 transfer credits, including as many as 64 from community colleges, and you can add an undergraduate specialization to point your electives at a particular niche. CSU Global is a nonprofit public university operating entirely online.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers an Associate of Science degree in information technologies through online learning, where individuals gain hands-on technical experience using industry-relevant tools.

It teaches operating systems and cross-platform technologies where students gain a fundamental understanding of technical tools and knowledge while acquiring critical thinking and project management skills.

What Jobs Can I Get With an Information Technology Degree?

Several careers across many fields are attainable for graduates with an associate degree in information technology, particularly entry-level roles.

Examples of jobs you can get with an information technology degree include:

• Computer support specialists
• Information technology analysts
• Digital designers
• Systems analysts
• Web developers

The credentials and expertise needed for these roles differ, and students interested in pursuing them should review what is required to confirm they have the knowledge and experience to succeed.

Learn About the Easiest Information Technology Degrees Today

Discover the easiest information technology degrees to help you gain the foundational knowledge and technical skills to put you on the right track for obtaining entry-level roles in the field today.