More than ever, information technology (IT) is a critical component of all businesses. We’ve come a long way from just email services and websites; today’s businesses are increasingly making use of complex point of sale (POS), customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. At the same time, the tech field is exploding with business opportunities as new startups pop up every day to develop the latest and greatest mobile applications, payment services or other digital innovations.
This means there’s a lot of opportunity in the IT field: You could be working on launching your own startup, you could be a programmer or developer looking to innovate processes within a company or you could be planning to advance to a leadership or executive position.
Depending on how you want to advance your career, different degrees can provide you with important advantages — but it’s important to explore what program will provide the most relevant knowledge and experience. For a career in IT, would you be better served by an MBA in Information Technology, a Master of Science in Information Technology or a different kind of master’s degree such as the Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership?
Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences of these important IT degrees.
Thinking of Getting a Degree? Get Your Guide First: 9 Questions to Ask Before Selecting an Information Technology Leadership Degree
What Is an MBA in Information Technology?
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an internationally recognized degree that is designed to develop the skills required for professional careers in business and management. In general, the MBA curriculum is more focused on teaching skills related to administration and management, though many programs provide elective courses for students to specialize in a specific area – such as finance, marketing, healthcare or IT.
Consider an MBA with a concentration in Information Technology Management if you wish to combine business management skills with an advanced understanding of systems specific to the technology field. This is typically for people who already have compiled a strong set of technical skills, such as programming, engineering or information architecture, but need more management training to advance their careers.
What Is a Master of Science in Information Technology?
The Master of Science in Information Technology is designed for those who will be managing information technology, especially the information systems development process, at the leadership level. The curriculum ensures that students are able to take responsibility for an organization’s information technology solutions and use its information technology resources to solve problems.
The MSIT is ideal for current IT professionals who have a prior background in computer science and computer engineering and are seeking to add business acumen, management and targeted problem-solving skills to their CV. This degree is also of interest to people who already have a strong business background and are hoping to learn more about information technology.
What Is a Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership?
The Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership degree is designed primarily to equip IT professionals with the technical ability, business insights and leadership skills needed for senior roles such as IT director, VP of product development or a c-suite position. The curriculum focuses on providing the skills to evaluate, analyze and propose IT solutions and to effectively communicate those solutions with non-technical stakeholders.
The MS-ITL is ideal for current (and future aspiring) IT leaders working in corporate, consulting services, governmental, educational and non-profit organizations. The degree is of interest to any IT professional who wants to better understand and manage complex systems to achieve an organization’s strategic goals.
MSIT vs. MBA vs. MS-ITL Comparison Table
| MSIT | MBA in IT | MS-ITL | |
| Curriculum | – Information Security Management – Global Information – Technology Management Project – Management for Information Systems and Management of Software Systems – Corporate Finance – Organizational Behavior – Financial Accounting – E-commerce – Data Warehousing | – Systems Analysis – Data Communications – Security Systems – Networking – Business Applications – Systems Management and Risk Management – Database Management Technology – Global Information Technology Management – Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation | – Fundamentals for IT Leadership – Project, Vendor and Construction Management – DevOps – IT Service Management – Server Operations – Enterprise Applications, – Data Management, and Reporting – Cybersecurity |
| Popular Careers | – Leadership and Managerial Roles – Systems Software Manager – IT Architect Manager – Chief Information Officer – Data Processing Manager | – Leadership and Managerial Roles – Database Administrator – Chief Technical Officer – Network Architect – Information Technology Director | – Leadership and Management Roles – IT Director – Site Reliability Engineer – VP of Product – Development Chief Information Officer – Chief Technical Officer |
| Average Pay | $89K – $153k | $95k – $171k | $97k – $200k |
| Preferred Prior Courses | – Business – Technology – Administration | – Statistics – Economics – Calculus | – Software Engineering – Computer Programming – Systems Analyst |
Career Outlook for MSIT Graduates
MSIT graduates can look forward to careers in a variety of technology-related fields, including data analysis, information systems, cybersecurity and network security. Payscale lists an average salary for related careers at about $96k, though higher-level positions are all but guaranteed to be over $100k. Here are some of the more popular positions for MSIT graduates:
Database Administrator – $117k
Database administrators install and maintain the performance of an organization’s database servers. They ensure that information remains readily accessible and secure for everyone accessing the database. They’re responsible for optimizing database performance, tuning the database systems and installing and upgrading database applications.
Information Security Analyst – $120k
Information security analysts work to design and implement IT security systems to protect computer networks from cyberattacks and data breaches. They’re responsible for planning security measures, monitoring computer networks for security issues, installing and updating security software and documenting all security issues or breaches.
Computer Network Architect – $129k
Computer network architects are the ones who design, build and maintain an organization’s data communication networks. They work with all manner of systems, from in-house intranets to cloud-based information systems. They’re ultimately responsible for defining and implementing IT policies, procedures and best practices for the networked software architectures that support core functions.
Chief Information Officer – $206k
The chief information officer (CIO) is the chief executive in charge of an organization’s information technology and computer systems. CIOs set the strategy for technological development and oversee all leadership responsibilities. Their duties include assessing current processes, optimizing business practices and coordinating with the rest of the executive team on the needs and development of IT.
Career Outlook for MBA in IT Graduates
As the MBA is such a popular degree, the range of careers and salary is highly dependent on a person’s specific job and degree of work experience. Generally, those in starting positions or with less than one year of work experience earn an average salary of around $75k, while PayScale lists an average pay for established professionals at around $118k. Here are some popular positions for MBA graduates with IT specializations:
Computer Systems Analyst – $103k
Computer systems analysts are responsible for overseeing a computer system’s procedures and security, offering suggestions for optimizations and improvement. They design, implement and manage security countermeasures when network vulnerabilities are discovered and offer technical guidance on networking solutions, technology roadmaps and product plans.
Computer and Information Systems Manager – $169k
Computer and information systems managers are responsible for overseeing any computer-related activity within an organization. They set the technical and business goals for the organization and ensure they’re accomplished. They also plan and direct the installation and maintenance of all computer hardware and software and coordinate the security of an organization’s network and electronic documents.
Vice President of Product Development – $181k
VPs of product development oversee a company’s production teams and direct product development from initial inception to final deliverable. They coordinate with engineering, marketing, sales and other departments to guide development and design efficient strategies for pricing, commercialization and market targeting. They also ensure that products live up to brand standards and deliver on meeting consumer needs. For VPs in tech startups, products can be physical objects or programs such as mobile apps and SaaS platforms.
Chief Technical Officer – $206k
The chief technical officer (CTO) makes all the executive decisions regarding the technological interests of a company. In comparison to a CIO, CTOs are more focused on researching or developing innovative technologies. They are responsible for outlining the company’s technological vision, implementing established technology strategies and ensuring that the technological resources are aligned with the company’s business needs.
Career Outlook for MS-ITL Graduates
The MS-ITL degree is designed to help graduates take leadership roles within the highest levels of IT. While MS-ITL graduates can perfectly fit into many of the same roles that MBA in IT and MSIT graduates can, there are a few other careers that they’re positioned for, including:
Site Reliability Engineer – $163k
Site reliability engineering integrates software engineering practices and principles to maintain and support an organization’s IT infrastructure and system operations. The main focus of a site reliability engineer is to optimize a system’s performance, stability and reliability by enhancing a system’s availability, safety, health and uptime. SREs are often on call to support the development teams and operations teams when necessary and are responsible for implementing services that will aid IT and support teams.
Information Technology Director – $169k
Information technology directors are in charge of IT departments, and so are responsible for the management of IT personnel as well as the execution of IT policies and goals. IT directors oversee and coordinate the development of technical projects, the establishment of networks as well as financial requirements and budgeting.
CTO / CIO / IT Director – $206k
Depending on the size or structure of an organization, the roles and responsibilities of CTOs, CIOs and IT Directors could be split, shared or combined. No matter the specific title, this position is responsible for making the highest-level executive decisions with regard to the technological interests of a company. It could be inward-focused to outline the company’s technological vision, outward-focused in order to align a company’s development with partners and clients, or a mixture of both.
CEO / Startup Founder – $200k+
Chief executive officers (CEOs) and startup founders are responsible for everything within a company, including but not limited to operations, marketing, strategy, financing, creation of company culture, human resources, sales and public relations. They manage all other C-suite positions and ensure that all departments are optimized, on track and working toward the company’s vision and goals.
All the salaries listed here are updated as of October 2024 based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale and Glassdoor websites. Amounts are subject to change pending on location, experience, company and date of hire. Salaries for CEOs vary wildly – in general, expect a median salary over $200k.
Which Degree Should You Choose?
Ultimately, choosing your ideal master’s degree program depends on your background experience, current level of education, career goals, professional interests and career aspirations. An MSIT is great for those looking for more “hands-on” experience working directly with technology systems, while an MBA in IT could be more suited for organizing and managing departments and IT teams.
However, if you want a higher-level leadership position (and higher salary potential), then consider a program in IT leadership, such as the University of San Diego’s MS in Information Technology Leadership program. MS-ITL prepares IT professionals like you for leadership in a wide range of IT positions, including Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), IT Director and more.
The program combines technological knowledge with leadership skills, enabling graduates to manage cross-functional teams effectively, make informed decisions and implement IT strategies. Earning this advanced degree can give professionals a competitive advantage in job applications, facilitate faster career progression and lead to higher salary opportunities.
For a deeper dive on the knowledge that can help your career as an IT leader, download the eBook, 9 Questions to Ask Before Selecting an Information Technology Leadership Degree.
