10 Affordable Online MBA in Information Technology Programs 2027

Technology decisions have become business decisions, and companies increasingly want leaders who can move comfortably between both worlds rather than specialists confined to one side of the divide. An MBA with an IT management concentration builds exactly that hybrid skill set, pairing core business training in finance, marketing, and strategy with coursework in systems management, cybersecurity, and data-driven decision-making.

This degree doesn't require a computer science background to pursue, and it doesn't have to come with an intimidating price tag either. This guide rounds up ten accredited, affordable online programs that build this combination of skills, along with what the coursework actually covers and answers to the questions prospective students ask most often.

What Is a Master of Business Administration in IT Management?

If you enroll in an MBA in information technology online, you can explore two of the most important fields simultaneously: business management and IT management. This degree covers business fundamentals, leadership and professional development, project management, and various IT specializations all at once.

It can be a great option for someone who majored in business with a minor in computer science, cybersecurity, or another technical field.

How Much Does an Online MBA in IT Management Cost?

MBA degrees can be very expensive, leading to total tuition costs of over $50,000. For our list below, we've tried to limit the tuition costs to $1,000 per credit hour or lower. Also, don't forget that MBA students can reduce degree costs by obtaining financial aid through grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and other funding sources.

Cheapest Online MBA in IT Management Programs

Below are some of the most affordable online MBA programs in information technology. These schools have flexible online courses, affordable tuition, and reasonable admission requirements.

1. University of Illinois Springfield

The University of Illinois Springfield offers a 30-credit online MBA with an IT concentration among 13 total specialization options, all accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The program is delivered entirely online, and full-time students can complete it in as little as 12 months.

Coursework blends core business fundamentals with technology-focused electives, giving students a well-rounded foundation before they specialize. UIS has built a reputation specifically around affordability among AACSB-accredited online MBA programs in the Midwest.

2. Murray State University

Murray State University's Bauernfeind College of Business, continuously AACSB-accredited since 1981, offers a 30-credit online MBA with a Cybersecurity concentration for students drawn to the technical and security side of IT management. The program includes 21 credit hours of core coursework, including a capstone, alongside nine hours of specialized electives.

Classes run in an accelerated format with six start dates throughout the year, and Murray State's pay-by-the-course tuition model helps keep costs predictable. Students consistently score above average on standardized business field exams, reflecting a rigorous core curriculum beneath the specialization.

3. University of Massachusetts Lowell

UMass Lowell's online MBA offers an IT concentration covering enterprise systems management, digital commerce, data mining, and business intelligence, all under AACSB accreditation through the Manning School of Business. The program doesn't require GMAT or GRE scores for admission, simplifying the application process for working professionals.

Five annual entry points give applicants regular opportunities to begin, and the program has been recognized among the more affordable AACSB-accredited MBAs in New England. That accreditation extends across all of UMass Lowell's MBA concentrations, including the IT-focused track.

4. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University's 30-credit online MBA includes an IT management concentration designed to blend business strategy with technical fluency, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The curriculum aims to prepare graduates for a business landscape where emerging technology touches nearly every function of an organization.

SNHU runs on a flexible term schedule with multiple start dates throughout the year, and the program's no-GMAT admissions policy keeps the path to enrollment straightforward. Concentration coursework is designed to complement, rather than duplicate, the technical training many students already bring from their current roles.

5. Rivier University

Rivier University offers a 36-credit online MBA in Information Technology Management, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), with coursework spanning database management, computer security, project leadership, and data mining. Most instructors use open educational resources instead of traditional textbooks, a choice the university estimates saves students roughly $1,500 over the course of the program.

Classes run in six seven-week terms annually, giving students frequent opportunities to start and a faster pace than traditional semester-length courses. Graduates typically move into roles like IT director, computer systems manager, or IT security manager.

6. Western Governors University

Western Governors University offers a competency-based online MBA with an IT concentration, letting students advance through material as soon as they demonstrate mastery rather than waiting out a fixed term. The program carries ACBSP accreditation and includes a choice of 11 IT-focused courses, culminating in a capstone project addressing a real-world business problem.

Because tuition is charged per six-month term rather than per credit, motivated students who move quickly through coursework can complete the degree in as little as a year at a lower total cost than a traditionally paced program. WGU's flat-rate model particularly benefits students who already bring relevant technical or business experience into the program.

7. University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama offers an AACSB-accredited online MBA with an Information Systems concentration among roughly a dozen total specialization options. The 34-credit program doesn't require GMAT scores for admission, and five annual start dates give applicants regular opportunities to begin.

Coursework blends core business training with technical coursework focused on managing organizational information systems and technology infrastructure. Many students complete the full degree in as little as 12 months, drawing on the same AACSB-accredited faculty and standards applied across UNA's broader MBA program.

8. Wichita State University

Wichita State University's Barton School of Business offers a 36-credit online MBA with a Business Data Management concentration, backed by AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting, a distinction held by roughly 1% of business schools worldwide. The concentration focuses on managing and interpreting organizational data to support business decision-making.

Classes run in an eight-week format, and Wichita State charges the same tuition rate to online students regardless of where they live, removing the typical out-of-state premium. The broader MBA curriculum draws students from technical and non-technical undergraduate backgrounds alike.

9. Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University offers a fully online MBA with a Business Data Analytics concentration, backed by AACSB accreditation, alongside General Business and Digital Marketing tracks. The concentration leans into data-driven decision-making alongside core leadership and business training, appealing to students who want technical skills without a purely computer-science-focused degree.

GMAT and GRE waiver options are available for qualified applicants based on academic history or professional experience. The fully online format is built around the needs of working professionals balancing coursework with a full-time career.

10. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University offers a 33-credit online MBA with a Management Information Systems concentration among 15 total specialization options, one of the broadest concentration menus among the schools on this list. The 24-credit core curriculum applies across every concentration, with a focused 9-credit sequence for the MIS track.

Coursework is available fully online, on campus, or through a hybrid format, giving students meaningful control over how they complete the degree. Most students finish within 18 to 24 months, though the program's flexible course rotation allows for a faster or slower pace depending on individual circumstances.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

• Accreditation: Business schools should receive full reviews every so often from accrediting institutions like AACSB.
• Affordability: These universities charge no more than $1,000 per credit hour for attendance.
• Program reputation: Each program has a great reputation with business employers and throughout the academic community.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

What To Expect From an Online IT Management MBA

Most of the MBA options on our list take one to two years to complete and require between 30 and 48 credit hours of coursework. The total tuition costs range between about $15,000 and $30,000, which varies substantially depending on location.

Once you enroll, you can expect to take courses related to cybersecurity, data systems management, IT project management, emerging technologies in business, and data analytics.

FAQs About Online MBA in Information Technology Programs

These are a few frequently asked questions about online MBA programs with IT specializations. This addresses whether the degrees are worth it and the types of jobs you can find after graduation.

Is an MBA in IT Management the Same as an MBA in Data Analytics?

No, though the two overlap in some coursework. An IT management concentration focuses more broadly on systems management, cybersecurity, and technology strategy, while a data analytics concentration digs deeper into statistical analysis and data interpretation specifically, so the better fit depends on which side of the technology function interests you more.

Do You Need a Technical Background to Enroll?

No, most programs on this list accept applicants from any undergraduate discipline, since the coursework is designed to build technical business fluency rather than assume it. Students who already have IT or computer science experience often find the material reinforces and formalizes skills they've picked up on the job, while those without that background typically catch up through the program's core coursework.

Can This Degree Lead to a CTO or CIO Role?

Yes, an MBA in IT management is a common credential among professionals who eventually reach chief technology officer or chief information officer positions, since the degree builds both the technical fluency and the business leadership skills those roles require. Reaching an executive technology role still typically requires years of progressively senior experience alongside the degree itself.

Does an MBA in IT Management Cover Coding or Programming?

Generally, no. These programs focus on managing technology strategy, systems, and teams rather than hands-on software development, so coursework tends to cover project management, cybersecurity, and systems analysis rather than programming languages. Students looking for coding-heavy training are usually better served by a technical master's degree in computer science or software engineering.

Is a Master's in Information Systems a Better Fit Than an MBA in IT?

A standalone Master's in Information Systems typically goes deeper into technical systems design and architecture, while an MBA with an IT concentration keeps a broader business foundation alongside its technology coursework. Students aiming for a purely technical career path often lean toward the Information Systems route, while those aiming for a management or leadership role that bridges business and technology tend to find the MBA a better overall fit.

Discover Online MBA Programs

Learn.org invites you to explore several more online MBA programs, bachelor's degrees, graduate certificates, and other online master's degrees. Our website features dozens of degree programs with many diverse specializations.