7 Most Affordable Online Information Technology Degrees in California 2025

California is a hub for technology, especially the San Francisco Bay Area. A degree in information technology can lead to many career paths, but unfortunately, these degrees can sometimes be expensive.

Luckily, several colleges and universities offer low-cost online IT degrees. Keep reading to discover the most affordable online information technology degrees in California.

Affordable Online Information Technology Degree Programs in California

The state of California offers multiple financial aid programs to help students pay for college. For example, the Cal Grant can cover the majority of costs at public universities and up to $9,220 at private universities. This creates many affordable online colleges in California for students.

Below, we've highlighted some affordable online information technology programs in California, all from regionally accredited institutions.

1. California Baptist University

California Baptist University, an online college in California that accepts the FAFSA, is a private Christian school in Riverside. It offers a Bachelor of Science in computer information technology and a Master of Science in information technology management online.

The bachelor's degree has a tuition rate of $520 per credit, and students can use the Cal Grant and other financial aid options to reduce their costs. The master's degree charges $625 per credit, and while graduate students can't use the Cal Grant, the school offers other scholarship opportunities.

2. California State University East Bay

At California State University East Bay, students can earn an online bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in information technology management. Cal State East Bay is part of the public California State University system and is located in Hayward, CA.

Tuition for this program is $7,583 per year or roughly $316 per credit hour. Eligible students could have their entire tuition covered through the Cal Grant, CSU's State University Grant, or one of the other many financial aid options offered by the state and CSU System.

3. Columbia College

Columbia College offers both a bachelor's and a master's in management information systems online. Despite being based in Columbia, MO, the private, nonprofit school has locations across the U.S., including one in Imperial, CA, and two in San Diego.

Undergraduate students at Columbia College can use the Cal Grant to help pay for their bachelor's degrees, which typically have a tuition rate of $375 per credit hour. Tuition for the master's program is $490 per credit, and students at both levels can take advantage of institutional scholarships specifically for online learners.

4. National University

National University, a nonprofit, private institution, is based in San Diego. It offers an online bachelor's degree in information systems and an online master's degree in information technology.

National charges a tuition rate of $370 per credit hour for the bachelor's program and $817 per credit hour for the master's. Students can use a variety of financial aid options to lower their costs, including the Cal Grant.

5. San Jose State University

Students at San Jose State University can earn a Bachelor of Science in information science and data analytics online. This program has a tuition rate of $475 per credit hour.

San Jose State is another member of the Cal State System. Eligible students here can use the Cal Grant, State University Grant, or one of the school's many scholarship programs to help pay for their online education.

6. UMass Global

UMass Global offers a Bachelor of Science in information technology with specializations in data science, project management, or a self-designed specialization. Some are offered in a standard online format, while others are offered in the university's self-paced MyPath format.

The standard pathway costs $500 per credit, while the MyPath format costs $3,300 for six months of access, during which students can complete as much coursework as they desire. The CalGrant and other financial aid options are available for online degrees at UMass Global.

7. University of the People

University of the People is a nonprofit, private online school based in Pasadena, CA, with a unique premise: it offers free tuition. Instead, students pay an application fee and a $400 assessment fee per online course.

For the online master's degree in information technology, that's a total of just under $5,000 for the entire program. However, financial aid is still available to help students who need it.

Note that the University of the People is nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and is currently in the process of becoming regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Our Selection Criteria for Online Programs

To select the schools for this program, we narrowed down the list by looking at schools that are:

• regionally or nationally accredited
• nonprofit
• headquartered in or have at least one branch campus in California
• four-year institutions
• currently offering online or distance education bachelor's or master's degrees in information technology or information systems

Of the California colleges that met this criteria, we looked at which offered the lowest tuition rates, which qualify for the Cal Grant, and which offered additional scholarships and financial aid options to distance learning college students.

What To Expect From an Online Information Technology Degree

Most online degree programs are asynchronous, meaning that you have set due dates for your coursework but can complete your work any time during the week. For many students, this flexible schedule works better than having to appear on campus at a set time.

If you're in a bachelor's degree program, you will likely have general education requirements to complete. The exception to this is if you already have an associate degree and are in a degree completion program.

Most information technology programs cover topics like:

• cloud computing
• computer science
• cybersecurity and network security
• database management
• operating systems
• web development

Some college degree programs offer specializations or concentrations, allowing you to tailor your online learning to your desired career path.

Average Cost of an Online IT Degree

Of the programs listed above, bachelor's degrees in IT range from about $316 to $520 per credit hour before financial aid. However, many things can impact your costs, including:

• if you're an in-state or out-of-state student
• whether you study full-time or part-time
• if you have transfer credits
• what financial aid you qualify for

How To Make an Online IT Degree More Affordable

There are several things students can do to make their higher education more affordable. We've listed a few of these below.

Federal Financial Aid

All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This allows them to qualify for federal aid, like the Pell Grant, as well as state aid. This kind of aid can have a huge impact on your tuition costs.

Transfer Credits

If you have college credits from previous courses, look for online schools that accept as many of those credits as possible. This reduces the number of credits you still need to pay for and ensures you don't lose money on work you already completed. Some colleges even offer credit for free online information technology courses from sites like Coursera or edX.

Flexible Programs

Flexible education programs are a great way to ensure affordability. These programs allow you to work while going to school or modify how many credits you take each semester based on what you can afford.

Scholarships and Grants

As we mentioned above, California offers several financial aid options for students, most notably the Cal Grant. These programs can, in some cases, completely eliminate your tuition costs.

Earn Your IT Degree Online Today

Don't let tuition costs stop you from earning a high-quality education. Explore the affordable online programs featured on Learn.org, and reach out to individual schools for more information on admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and online classes.