Most Affordable Online Information Technology Degrees in Washington for 2025

If you live in Washington and are planning to study information technology, you may be concerned about the cost of attending college. Perhaps you're also interested in studying online. So, you're wondering: are there any schools offering low-cost online IT degrees in your state?

Keep reading as we take a closer look at some affordable in-state and out-of-state online colleges providing affordable degrees relating to information technology. We'll also provide some basic information about studying online and how to make your college experience more affordable.

Affordable Online Information Technology Degree Programs in Washington

Two affordable online colleges in Washington offer bachelor's degrees for IT students. Let's take a closer look at each of these online programs.

1. Central Washington University

Central Washington University is in Ellensburg and enrolls around 12,300 students. It provides online Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in IT management. An online master's degree in IT management is also available. Students in the undergraduate programs can choose from specializations such as:

• cybersecurity
• project management
• administrative management
• data-driven innovation

Students enrolled full-time in these higher education programs can take up to 18 credits per quarter for a flat rate of $7,230 per year. Several school-provided scholarships are available specifically for IT management students, and students can also apply for other financial aid options since CWU is an online college in Washington that accepts the FAFSA.

2. Washington State University

Washington State University is a public school headquartered in Pullman and has an enrollment of more than 31,000 students. It offers both online and on-campus degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts in business administration with an emphasis in management information systems. This IT degree helps students develop fundamental tech skills and teaches them to apply these skills in business settings.

Students enrolled full-time in this four-year program can complete up to 18 credit hours for a flat rate of $5,839 per semester. Scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid are available for qualifying students.

Other Affordable Online IT Programs

The great thing about online education is that you can study from the comfort of your own home no matter where your school is physically located. With this in mind, let's consider some top out-of-state colleges offering online learning opportunities in information technology.

1. Ensign College

Ensign College is a small private school in Utah. In association with Brigham Young University, it provides online degrees through the BYU-Pathway Worldwide platform. One of the degrees available is a Bachelor of Applied Science in information technology. Students can earn career-ready certificates throughout the program to help them become better candidates for IT jobs in various fields, including healthcare, criminal justice, computer science, and business.

This is one of the most affordable online colleges in the U.S. featuring tuition rates of $103.75 to $178.75 per credit hour. Students belonging to the LDS Church receive 25% tuition discounts, and all students can pursue scholarships and financial aid opportunities to save even more on their degrees.

2. Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University is a public school that provides affordable, high-ranking distance learning programs. One of these is a Bachelor of Information Technology program that provides flexible courses. Students explore various methodologies in information technology, security, and more to prepare for their chosen tech careers.

All online students, regardless of residency, pay $199 per credit hour for this program. Scholarships and financial aid opportunities can reduce costs even further.

3. Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University is a private, for-profit online school providing various degree and certificate programs. Students can complete a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in information technology. This program features a generous transfer policy and flexible courses to make school more accessible for adult learners.

This distance education program costs $270 per credit hour. Payment plans, tuition discounts, and scholarship and financial aid opportunities are all available.

4. Florida State College at Jacksonville

Florida State College at Jacksonville is located in Florida and provides both associate and bachelor's degrees. One of the degrees available is a Bachelor of Applied Science in information systems technology. The flexible program prepares students for a variety of management and leadership positions in information technology.

Out-of-state online students pay $218.55 to $227.09 per credit hour, which is closer to the in-state tuition rates than traditional out-of-state rates. Scholarships and financial aid are available.

5. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a private online university enrolling more than 157,000 students. It provides both undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, including bachelor's and master's degrees in information technology management. Students can complete courses on their own time and earn certificates as they study to better prepare for IT jobs.

Tuition is charged per six-month term, and students can complete as many courses as they like per term. Tuition costs $3,725 every six months. Students can test out of courses to save money as well as apply for financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Our Selection Criteria for Online Degrees

Our team chose the schools above based on a rigorous vetting process to ensure high-quality education programs. The following criteria were used to select the schools:

• Accreditation: Each of the online schools featured in this article maintain accreditation through U.S. Department of Education-recognized organizations such as the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
• Tuition rates: Each online bachelor's degree features affordable tuition rates below $500 per credit hour or $12,000 per year.
• Financial aid availability: Students attending the schools above have access to various financial aid opportunities, including federal and state aid, school-based aid, and private scholarships.

What To Expect From an Online Information Technology Degree

Distance learning programs are typically more flexible than in-person programs. Most schools provide the same fundamental courses as they do in their in-person programs, but online degrees often feature flexible coursework you can complete on your own time.

You can expect to complete your online bachelor's degree in anywhere from one to six years or more depending on whether you study full-time or part-time and whether you have any transfer credits. Online IT degrees lead to many of the same career opportunities as in-person programs, with potential job titles including:

• information systems manager
• computer systems analyst
• IT project manager

Average Cost of an Online IT Degree

IT degree affordability varies widely depending on the school you attend and how many transfer credits you have. Generally, public schools provide lower tuition rates than private schools, but this isn't always the case.

Among the schools outlined in this article, tuition costs range from just over $100 per credit hour to around $11,700 per year. Keep in mind that the figures provided account only for tuition; you may have other expenses as well, such as mandatory fees and book costs.

How To Make an Online IT Degree More Affordable

Even affordable online degree programs can be pricey. Fortunately, if you plan it right, you may be able to complete cheap or even free online IT courses online. Follow the tips below.

Federal Financial Aid

You can apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All students meeting basic eligibility requirements, regardless of income, can receive aid like grants, student loans, and work-study programs through the FAFSA.

Transfer Credits

If you already have an associate degree from a community college or significant college experience, you may be able to apply transfer credits to your college degree. Some online schools also accept other forms of transfer credits, such as life or work experience and credit by examination. The more credits your school accepts toward your degree, the fewer online courses you'll have to take and the more money you'll save.

Flexible Programs

Many online programs provide flexible coursework that allows you to work while you earn your degree. Some schools also let you take only as many credits as you can afford per semester so you can avoid going into debt.

Scholarships and Grants

Many states, schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations provide scholarships and grants for online learners. Some state-specific programs available in Washington include the WASC Washington College Grant and the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship.

Discover Online Degrees Today

If you're ready to start your online degree program in information technology, check out the schools featured on Learn.org. Contact the admissions office at any of the schools today to learn more about available programs and discover which one is right for you.