Best Online Management Information Systems (MIS) Bachelor's Degrees

<p>Several online bachelor's programs in the field of management information systems (MIS) are available across the country. To make our picks for the best MIS programs, we looked at factors like affordability, flexibility, accreditation and unique features. </p> <h3 id="section---1.UniversityOfAlabamaAtBirmingham">1. University of Alabama at Birmingham</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Location </th><th> Undergraduate Tuition &amp; Fees (in-state)</th><th> % Receiving Financial Aid</th></tr> <tr><td>Birmingham, Alabama </td><td> $8,568 </td><td> 94%</td></tr> </table><p>The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Systems degree program that can be completed 100% online. This program features foundational coursework in business and finance as well as courses that cover such topics as management behavior, professional development, database systems, and programming. Students also complete a strategic management capstone course, which allows them to demonstrate their business decision-making and ethical reasoning skills and knowledge, and an experiential learning course that gets them real-world business experience. The University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Business, which houses the information systems bachelor's degree, has received important accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). </p> <h3 id="section---2.EastCarolinaUniversity">2. East Carolina University</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Location </th><th> Undergraduate Tuition &amp; Fees (in-state)</th><th> % Receiving Financial Aid</th></tr> <tr><td> Greenville, NC </td><td> $7,188 </td><td> 81%</td></tr> </table><p>The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Management Information Systems degree program at East Carolina University features flexible courses that offer many online options and is housed in the College of Business, which has been accredited by AACSB since 1967. This BSBA program includes a curriculum that focuses on the modern skills and knowledge a student needs to be successful in the field of information systems, including classes on communication and leadership as well as technical classes on software design and web application development. Students can also choose to participate in an optional study abroad program, which can take them to places like Ireland or Australia. </p> <h3 id="section---3.MaryvilleUniversityOfSaintLouis">3. Maryville University of Saint Louis</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Location </th><th> Undergraduate Tuition &amp; Fees (in-state)</th><th> % Receiving Financial Aid</th></tr> <tr><td> Saint Louis, MO </td><td> $28,470 </td><td> 100%</td></tr> </table><p>Maryville University of Saint Louis' Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems program requires 128 credits and can be completed 100% online. Students can choose from 3 start times throughout the year; transfer credits are accepted and there are no entrance exam requirements. Students take core business classes that cover topics in accounting and marketing, plus MIS courses that center on cybersecurity, project management, and database design. </p> <h3 id="section---4.SeminoleStateCollegeOfFlorida">4. Seminole State College of Florida</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Location </th><th> Undergraduate Tuition &amp; Fees (in-state)</th><th> % Receiving Financial Aid</th></tr> <tr><td> Sanford, Florida </td><td> $3,131 </td><td> 74%</td></tr> </table><p>Seminole State College of Florida has an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business and Information Management degree program that requires 120 credits and offers the following specialization areas: </p> <ul><li>Supply chain management </li><li>Entrepreneurship </li><li>Interdisciplinary </li></ul><p>Students take core courses in business finance, human resources, and management and then tackle classes within their specialty before doing a final capstone course, which lets them work on a real-world project. This BS program also boasts an affordable rate, with in-state students paying just $119.91 per credit hour in tuition and fees and out-of-state students paying $424.65. </p> <h3 id="section---5.AmridgeUniversity">5. Amridge University</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Location </th><th> Undergraduate Tuition &amp; Fees (in-state) </th><th> % Receiving Financial Aid</th></tr> <tr><td>Montgomery, AL </td><td> $6,900 </td><td> 100%</td></tr> </table><p>Amridge University's online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Systems Management degree program requires 128 semester hours where students study the following topics: </p> <ul><li>Database management </li><li>Business project management </li><li>IT training and development </li><li>Web design </li></ul><p>As such, students are fully prepared for a range of careers in everything from computer systems security to database management. First-time freshman students in this BS in Information Systems Management program pay a rate of $250 per semester hour plus fees, while other bachelor's students pay a full-time rate of $375 per semester hour plus fees and a part-time rate of $430. Amridge University has the distinction of being accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Rank </th><th>School Name </th><th>Location </th><th> Undergraduate Tuition &amp; Fees (in-state)</th><th> % Receiving Financial Aid</th></tr> <tr><td>6 </td><td> Missouri State University-Springfield </td><td> Springfield, MO </td><td> $7,376 </td><td> 91%</td></tr> <tr><td>7 </td><td> Old Dominion University </td><td> Norfolk, Va </td><td> $10,560 </td><td> 93%</td></tr> <tr><td>8 </td><td> Indiana Wesleyan University-National &amp; Global </td><td> Marion, IN </td><td> $9,816 </td><td> 82%</td></tr> <tr><td>9 </td><td> Washington State University </td><td> Pullman, WA </td><td> $11,584 </td><td> 90%</td></tr> <tr><td>10</td><td> Northern Arizona University </td><td> Flagstaff, AZ </td><td> $11,564 </td><td> 94%</td></tr> <tr><td>11 </td><td> University of Memphis </td><td> Memphis, TN </td><td> $9,317 </td><td> 98%</td></tr> <tr><td>12 </td><td> Indiana State University </td><td> Terre Haute , IN </td><td> $9,090 </td><td> 93%</td></tr> <tr><td>13 </td><td> Park University </td><td> Parkville, MO </td><td> $11,572 </td><td> 95%</td></tr> <tr><td>14 </td><td> Northern Kentucky University </td><td> Highland Heights, KY </td><td> $10,032 </td><td> 99%</td></tr> <tr><td>15</td><td> Peirce College </td><td> Philadelphia, PA </td><td> $15,060 </td><td> 100%</td></tr> <tr><td>16 </td><td> Bethune-Cookman University </td><td> Daytona Beach , FL </td><td> $14,814 </td><td> 99%</td></tr> <tr><td>17 </td><td> Franklin University </td><td> Columbus, OH </td><td> $12,649 </td><td> 86%</td></tr> <tr><td>18 </td><td> Baker University </td><td> Baldwin City, KS </td><td> $29,830 </td><td> 100%</td></tr> <tr><td>19 </td><td> Morehead State University </td><td> Morehead, KY </td><td> $9,070 </td><td> 99%</td></tr> <tr><td>20</td><td> Simpson College </td><td> Indianola, IA </td><td> $39,144 </td><td> 100%</td></tr> <tr><td>21 </td><td> Dallas Baptist University </td><td> Dallas, TX </td><td> $28,870 </td><td> 97%</td></tr> <tr><td>22 </td><td> Columbia College </td><td> Sonora, CA </td><td> $1,166 </td><td> 74%</td></tr> <tr><td>23 </td><td> University of the Incarnate Word </td><td> San Antonio, TX </td><td> $31,484 </td><td> 100%</td></tr> <tr><td>24 </td><td> Wayne State University </td><td> Detroit, MI </td><td> $13,097 </td><td> 94 %</td></tr> <tr><td>25</td><td> Albany State University </td><td> Albany, GA </td><td> $,5735 </td><td> 94%</td></tr> <tr><td>26 </td><td> University of Minnesota-Crookston </td><td> Crookston, MN </td><td> $11,822 </td><td> 95%</td></tr> <tr><td>27 </td><td> Eastern Washington University </td><td> Cheney, WA </td><td> $7,323 </td><td>94%</td></tr> <tr><td>28 </td><td> Champlain College </td><td> Burlington, VT </td><td> $4,1010 </td><td> 100 %</td></tr> <tr><td>29 </td><td> Albertus Magnus College </td><td> New Haven, CT </td><td> $32,060 </td><td> 99%</td></tr> <tr><td>30</td><td> National Louis University </td><td> Chicago, IL </td><td> $10,710 </td><td> 93%</td></tr> </table><p><i>All statistics provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, tuition based on 2018-2019 school year</i> </p> <p>Learn.org's school ranking methodology categorizes and assesses data from schools and other reliable sources, such as the U.S. Department of Education, and weighs the information based on quality, cost, value and other factors critical to students' academic decisions. </p> <h2 id="section---OverviewOfManagementInformationSystemsMISBachelorSPrograms"> Overview of Management Information Systems (MIS) Bachelor's Programs</h2> <p>Online bachelor's degree programs in management information systems (MIS) are usually interdisciplinary programs that pair business subjects with computer systems topics. Programs can be completed 100% online and generally have no in-person requirements, though some offer study abroad and experiential learning opportunities. Students are required to earn around 120 total credits, with some general education in communications, the social sciences, the humanities, and the natural sciences as well as classes within the MIS major. Many programs also require a final capstone course that allows students to apply their skills and knowledge to real-world type project. </p> <p>Some online MIS program also let students choose a concentration within the field, including in: </p> <ul><li>Business analytics </li><li>Project management </li><li>IT management </li><li>Supply chain management </li></ul><h2 id="section---HowLongDoesItTakeToEarnAnOnlineMISBachelorSDegree"> How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online MIS Bachelor's Degree?</h2> <p>Generally, if you are a first-time college student, it should take you about 4 years to earn your MIS bachelor's degree. Like most bachelor's degree programs, an MIS typically requires around 120 credits and many students will take 15 credit hours per semester, which comes out to an even 4 years. However, if you have previous college credits an associate degree, it could take fewer than 4 years to earn your MIS degree. Taking summer courses or opting for a program with truncated, intense semesters might help you finish faster as well. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatWillILearnInAnOnlineMISBachelorSProgram"> What Will I Learn in an Online MIS Bachelor's Program?</h2> <p>In an online MIS program, you will likely study a range of topics in business to develop your management skills and match them with computer science topics that help you understand the relationship between the two. The exact courses you take may vary but here are a few of the common courses that make up the curriculum of many MIS programs. </p> <ul><li><b> Project Management</b> - A course that teaches students the principles, techniques, and methods for executing technical business projects from start to finish. Topics covered include budgeting, scheduling, and tracking project performance. </li><li><b>Database Management Systems</b> - This class serves as an introduction to database systems, theories, and practice. Students learn database design concepts, how to model data for business needs, and application development using databases. </li><li><b> Programming </b> - Students learn about programming languages and algorithms, usually in a business operations context. There is typically an emphasis on using programming to analyze and solve different business issues. </li><li><b> Marketing</b> - Usually a survey course that covers different marketing strategies. Specific concepts covered include pricing, promotion, distribution, and product planning. </li><li><b>Financial Management </b> - Students study such things as risk/return analysis, working capital management, and quantitative and qualitative analysis of time value of money. </li></ul><h2 id="section---HowMuchDoesAManagementInformationSystemsBachelorSDegreeCost">How Much Does a Management Information Systems Bachelor's Degree Cost?</h2> <p>Generally, MIS bachelor's degree programs cost anywhere from $120 to $670 per credit hour. However, most schools also charge additional fees that are added onto the base tuition price, which can be as low as $10 to as high as $300. Examples of fees include technology, registration, and online course fees, and these fees can be one-time fees or fees administrated each semester. Also, some universities charge a flat fee instead of individual fees, and others include fees in the tuition price. You can check with your university about getting an estimate of the total cost of your MIS degree program. </p> <p>Further, some schools charge in-state students less than their out-of-state peers, which means if you are attending an online program that is not in your state of residence, then you may pay more compared to attending a program closer to where you live. However, many online programs charge all students the same rate. </p> <p>You also want to factor in costs beyond tuition and fees. As an online student, you need a relatively fast computer and a quick internet connection, as you will need to be able to stream video and access the online learning platform where you will find course materials and submit assignments. </p> <h2 id="section---HowDoIChooseAnOnlineMISBachelorSProgram"> How Do I Choose an Online MIS Bachelor's Program?</h2> <p>To help you through the decision-making process, we've put together a few tips on factors to consider, including flexibility and accreditation. </p> <h3 id="section---Flexibility">Flexibility</h3> <p>Some online programs are synchronous. That is to say, you'll be asked to <i>attend</i> class by logging in at specific times during the week and participating in class, much like a conventional, on-campus course. Some prefer this model because it means they typically get more face-time with professors and fellow students. Other MIS programs are asynchronous, meaning you absorb course materials, complete assignments and take tests when it's most convenient for you. This model is great for working students or students who prefer a little more autonomy. </p> <h3 id="section---Accreditation"> Accreditation</h3> <p>Another important factor to consider is accreditation, which is an intensive process that a school or program undergoes to prove that it has met high, independent standards in terms of educational quality and resources. </p> <p>First, if you have the option, you'll want to look for a school that has received regional accreditation. This is important as only students who attend an accredited school are eligible for federal financial aid, and most schools only accept transfer credits from other regionally accredited schools. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) approves agencies that offer regional accreditation, and your potential school should be accredited by one of the following: </p> <ul><li>Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) </li><li>Association of Schools and Colleges </li><li>Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) </li><li>WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) </li><li>Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) </li><li>New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) </li><li>Higher Learning Commission (HLC) </li></ul><p>You can also look for your program or the department it is housed within to have achieved accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This organization accredits business and accounting programs based on standards like program resources, faculty credentials, and student outcomes. </p> <h3 id="section---ProgramSpecializations"> Program Specializations</h3> <p>If you have a special interest in one area of information systems or would like to pursue a specific career, then you want to base your choice of MIS program on the concentrations that are offered. Not every program offers areas of concentration, so if you want to specialize in business analytics or project management, then you want to choose a program that offers that specialization. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithAnMISBachelorSDegree"> What Can I Do with an MIS Bachelor's Degree?</h2> <p>After you earn a bachelor's degree in management information systems, you may be ready to pursue a range of careers in the computer science field, including positions in web development, computer systems management, and computer systems security. </p> <h3 id="section---WebDevelopers"> Web Developers</h3> <p>Web developers create and implement websites. To do so, they determine the needs of their client or employer, write programming code, design graphics and layout, and test website applications. There are different types of web developers as well, including front-end developers, who focus more on how a website looks, and back-end developers, who are responsible for the technical aspects of the website. </p> <h3 id="section---ComputerAndInformationSystemsManagers"> Computer and Information Systems Managers</h3> <p>Also known as IT managers, computer and information systems managers are mainly responsible for maintaining the computer systems within an organization. Exact job duties usually depend on the type of IT manager you are. For example, IT security managers focus on data and computer security, while chief technology offers decide what new technology a company needs and comes up with technology solutions. However, IT managers generally plan, direct, and oversee IT departments. </p> <h3 id="section---DatabaseAdministrators"> Database Administrators</h3> <p>Database administrators are experts in managing data and making that data available for users. Job duties of a database administrator include creating and maintaining database systems, creating backups of data, and completing tests in order to ensure a database is working properly. </p> <h3 id="section---InformationSecurityAnalyst"> Information Security Analyst</h3> <p>Information security analysts are the computer security experts in their organizations. They are responsible for installing security software and hardware, such as firewalls, and conducting tests to ensure systems are safe. If there is a breach, they must react to the threat and assess any damage. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Job Title </th><th> Median Annual Salary (2019) </th><th> Estimated Job Growth (2018-2028)</th></tr> <tr><td> Web Developers </td><td>$73,760 </td><td> 13%</td></tr> <tr><td> Computer and Information Systems Managers</td><td>$146,360 </td><td> 11%</td></tr> <tr><td> Database Administrators</td><td> $93,750 </td><td> 9%</td></tr> <tr><td> Information Security Analyst </td><td>$99,730 </td><td> 32%</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h2 id="section---ProfessionalCertificationForMISCareers"> Professional Certification for MIS Careers</h2> <p>Professional certifications in the IT field are usually optional credentials that prove you have mastered one aspect of the field. They're offered by professional organizations but you'll also find them from computer companies like Microsoft and Cisco Professionals opt to earn these certifications because it can boost their job prospects and many employers prefer job candidates who have certifications in their field. To earn a certification, you usually must pass an exam. </p> <p>Below are some of the common IT certifications that you can earn during or after your bachelor's degree program: </p> <ul><li><b>CompTIA A+ Technician</b> - This is a certification that is perfect for entry-level positions as it shows that you have mastered PC maintenance and operating systems. </li><li><b> Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)</b> - Offered by the tech company Cisco, the CCNA demonstrates to employers that the holder can install and maintain networking hardware. </li><li><b> Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)</b> - This credential is ideal for information security analysts, as it proves that they have mastered topics related to security and risk management and network security.</li></ul>