20 Most Affordable Master’s in Management Information Systems Online

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Updated June 3, 2021

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Powering up computers for affordable online MIS degree programs will connect tech-savvy cohorts to virtual B-school classrooms that sharpen electronic leadership skills without breaking the bank. The management information systems field increasingly has master's or MBA programs online to let professionals keep working full-time while deepening their ability to oversee modern business networks. Post-baccalaureate MIS majors receive a much-appreciated edge over the competition for upper-level jobs where knowing the latest technology innovations is vital. After all, the number of master's graduates has jumped by 34 percent since 2003 with over 1,000 U.S. colleges granting 100+ degrees each year according to the Washington Post. Management information systems expertise is especially prized in today's digital market. In April 2017, the thriving tech world reached 7.3 million jobs nationwide with over 627,000 vacancies on a USA Today report. Whether you're in Silicon Valley or Sarasota, MIS master's online bargains are accessed anywhere for flexible, yet in-depth managerial training.

Explore these promoted online degree programs.

These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master’s or PhD programs.

Most Affordable Master’s in Management Information Systems Online

  1. Missouri State University
    Location

    Springfield, MO

    Tuition

    $4644

    Boasting 350+ clubs, including an award-winning AITP Chapter, Missouri State University is a public, master's-level research institution established in Academic Hall in 1906 that's currently endowed for $138.4 million to train 23,537 Bears from 85 countries atop its 225-acre Springfield campus and on Blackboard. MSU was placed 131st on the Social Mobility Index, 112th for affordability by WalletHub, and 72nd for research expenditures in Washington Monthly. Headed by Dr. David Meinert, the AACSB-accredited College of Business offers the Online MBA Computer Information Systems Option, Accelerated BBA/MBA track, and Executive MBA format. Completing the traditional 33-51 credit master's provides real-world IT experience through courses like computer security, neural networking, and eCommerce.

  2. Kennesaw State University
    Location

    Kennesaw, GA

    Tuition

    $4734

    Hosting the NSA-recognized Center for Information Security Education since 2004, Kennesaw State University is a public, research-based USG System member that's budgeting $511.5 million annually to employ 1,765 faculty and instruct 32,166 Owls with 80 percent retention in Kennesaw, Marietta, and online. KSU is congratulated for America's 40th best computer IT programs online by the U.S. News & World Report, 317th best public education on Niche, and 218th most faculty awards in Washington Monthly. Named a "Go-To School" by Chief Executive magazine, the AACSB-accredited Coles College of Business grants the Master of Science in Information Systems Online. Directed by Dr. Tridib Bandyopadhyay, the 36-credit, two-year virtual program culminates with an internship or thesis after custom concentrations like Data Mining, Global IT Management, Information Security, and SAS Analytics.

  3. Georgia College & State University
    Location

    Milledgeville, GA

    Tuition

    $5187

    Chartered in 1889, Georgia College & State University is a public, coeducational liberal arts COPLAC member of the Peach Belt Conference that's endowed for $33.8 million to instruct 6,915 Bobcats on its 43-acre Milledgeville campus, at Robins Air Force Base, and online. GCSU is esteemed for America's 166th best professors on Niche, 13th best online graduate business programs by the U.S. News & World Report, and 15th most affordable master's tuition on OnlineU. Located in Atkinson Hall, the AACSB-accredited J. Whitney Bunting College of Business offers middle Georgia's only Online Master of Management Information Systems (MMIS) on WebEx. The 30-credit, non-thesis program directed by Dr. Lynn Hanson prepares for the Certified Information Systems Auditor exam with courses like enterprise resource planning and emerging technology.

  4. Dakota State University
    Location

    Madison, SD

    Tuition

    $5483

    Launching its Excellence Through Innovation 2020 campaign, Dakota State University is a public, tech-centric and scientific institution opened by Charles S. Richardson in 1881 that's boasting an overall 94 percent job placement rate for 3,307 Trojans after study in Madison or on Desire2Learn. DSU is proclaimed America's 156th best online business school by the U.S. News & World Report and 41st best information systems value on College Factual. The ACBSP-accredited College of Business accepts $35 applications until June 15th and November 15th annually for the MBA-like Master of Science in Information Systems Online. Coordinated by Dr. Dorine Bennett, the 30-credit program immerses students with minimum 2.7 GPAs into tailored specializations for Data Management, Application Development, Network Administration and Security, or Healthcare Information Systems.

  5. University of the Cumberlands
    Location

    Williamsburg, KY

    Tuition

    $5670

    Approaching its 130th year, the University of the Cumberlands is a private, civic-engaged Baptist teaching institution that's endowed for $73.3 million to provide a "Life More Abundant" to 6,031 Patriots with an average 3.4 GPA on its 150-acre Williamsburg campus and online via iLearn. Cumberlands is deemed America's 146th best online business school by the U.S. News & World Report, 201st top college on the Social Mobility Index, and 346th best research university in Washington Monthly. Chaired by Dr. Margaret Combs, the Hutton School earned NSA National Center of Academic Excellence status for an Online Master of Science in Information Systems Security. Adhering to legislation like the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the 12-course, project-based major offers prior learning credits to accelerate courses from cryptography to access control.

  6. Minot State University
    Location

    Minot, ND

    Tuition

    $6865

    Labeled "good" or "excellent" by 89 percent of Gallup Poll respondents, Minot State University is a public, co-educational master's NDSU System member that's conferring 65 majors to 3,560 Beavers on a rural Ward County campus and online via Blackboard. Minot is ranked America's 246th best research institution in Washington Monthly, 185th most popular management information systems school on College Factual, and 278th best public university by Niche. Awarding $131,000 in annual financial aid, including the Doris A. Slaaten Scholarship, the IACBE-accredited College of Business employs 21 full-time faculty led by Dr. Lori Willoughby for the Master of Science in Management Information Systems Online. The 36-credit program accelerates eight-week terms for students with business backgrounds and GPAs over 2.75 to quickly reach the consulting capstone project after courses like information assurance and e-business strategy.

  7. Metropolitan State University
    Location

    Saint Paul, MN

    Tuition

    $7185

    Categorized "less selective" with near perfect 100 percent admission, Metropolitan State University is a public, state-funded nontraditional learning center that's budgeting $99 million annually to instruct 11,580 Muskrats across 95 majors in St. Paul, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Minneapolis, and by Internet. MSU is applauded for America's 310th best location on Niche, 291st highest-paid business grads by College Factual, and 249th best graduation rate in Washington Monthly. Granted $5 million for a Center of Excellence in Information Security, the ACBSP-accredited College of Management has an Online Master of Management Information Systems for cohorts capped at 30. Directed by Dr. Pat Borchert at Harmon Place, the 44-credit program ends with an integrative capstone project after students with minimum 3.0 GPAs concentrate coursework for Information Management or Systems Development on D2L Brightspace.

  8. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
    Location

    Prescott, AZ

    Tuition

    $7440

    Reporting 97 percent job placement for nearly 100,000 alumni, including Robert Sumwalt and Nicole Stott, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private, polytechnic STEM-centric flight school founded in 1925 that's endowed for $111 million to instruct 31,100 Eagles in Daytona Beach, at over 135 locations worldwide, and on Canvas. ERAU is ranked America's 67th best online business school by the U.S. News & World Report, 210th most diverse university on Niche, and 196th top college in Times Higher Education. Designated a Microsoft Software & Systems Academy, the ACBSP-accredited College of Business Administration created the Master of Science in Management Information Systems Online for enterprise-wide MIS leadership. The 30-credit, non-thesis program directed by Dr. Michael Williams customizes electives from data warehousing to project risk toward the strategic planning capstone.

  9. Gardner-Webb University
    Location

    Boiling Springs, NC

    Tuition

    $7722

    Named after North Carolina's 57th Governor and his wife in 1942, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Baptist institution of the Big South that's endowed for $61 million to enlighten 4,500 Bulldogs with an average class size of 13 in Boiling Springs, Statesville, Hickory, Winston-Salem, and online on Blackboard. GWU is named America's 302nd most popular information science school on College Factual, 346th best research university in Washington Monthly, and 642nd top college overall by Plexuss. The ACBSP-accredited Godbold School of Business has an Online MBA Management Information Systems emphasis directed by Dr. Anthony Negbenebor. Fulfilling credentials like Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), the 36-credit, skills-based degree has three condensed prerequisites available before virtual courses from organizational behavior to IT project management.

  10. Mississippi State University
    Location

    Mississippi State, MS

    Tuition

    $7780

    Producing eight Goldwater Scholars since 1999, Mississippi State University is a public, tech-savvy APLU research institution with the Thad Cochran Technology Park that's endowed for $470 million to instruct 3,452 post-grad Bulldogs in Starkville, Meridian, Vicksburg, and online through Blackboard. MSU is declared America's 138th best public college on Forbes and 75th top university in Washington Monthly with the 233rd best alumni employment outcomes according to the CWUR. The College of Business maintains an AACSB-accredited Master of Science in Information Systems Online for "Building Successful Tomorrows." Organized by Dr. Merrill Warkentin in McCool Hall, the respected 36-credit degree assembles coursework from business telecommunications to security management before the collaborative master's project.

Our Methodology, Explained

Grad School Hub compiles rankings based on public data released from educational, commercial, and government databases. Sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics play a significant role in how we source our educational data. After collecting insight for each institution, we organize information into five weighted categories.
Metric Data Used Percentage
Academic Quality Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates 30%
Affordability Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid 10%
Reputation Admission and enrollment rates 30%
Program Offerings Number of program options 20%
Online Enrollment Score Portion of learners taking at least one online course 10%
A more comprehensive evaluation of how each category is determined and scored is accessible on our Ranking Methodology page.

Which Careers Would Benefit From an Online MIS Degree?

Spending 12 to 36 months on an MIS master's online could create a lifetime of opportunities in lucrative, upper-level technology jobs, and perhaps even undergrad teaching gigs. Management information systems programs prove to employers your advanced networking acumen for maintaining seamless business communication, especially when paired with credentials. For instance, Cisco offers exams for the Certified Network Professional (CCNP) distinction in Routing and Switching, Security, Wireless Networking, Data Center, and Cloud Computing. The Information Systems Audit and Control Association has given the Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) title to over 1,300 leaders who've passed a 150-question, computer-based exam. Let's dig into some common job descriptions where an MIS degree online would be advantageous.

Information Systems Manager- Most MIS master's online graduates fall into the category of information systems manager, CNN Money‘s 13th best job, to pioneer all computer-related decisions for organizational effectiveness. These IT gurus analyze network needs, make hardware upgrades, install new software, justify tech budgets, hire computer support personnel, contract new technologies, re-engineer systems, and secure user data.

Database Administrator- An MIS degree online would train graduates for the supervision and modification of organizations' digital record systems during the Big Data boom. Database administrators analyze archiving accuracy, refine storage policies, control access permissions, develop backup channels, commission new software, supervise data analysts, contribute to business continuity plans, repair bugs, and research emerging technologies.

Information Security Director- According to CSO Online, businesses will foot a monstrous $6 trillion annual bill for cyber attacks by 2021, but putting in preventative measures can save green. Information security directors with online MIS degrees develop safeguards, plan security awareness training, remedy system gaps, address suspected hacker activity, procure anti-virus software, suggest security advancements, and document breaches for police.

Computer Network Architect- Cheap online MIS degree programs integrate the analytical skills needed to make cables your wood and build tech infrastructure. Computer network architects craft telecom blueprints, install equipment like routers, test security strength, upgrade servers, engineer troubleshooting solutions, research upcoming software, negotiate vendor contracts, document disaster recovery plans, and ensure device compatibility.

Chief Technology Officer- Following in the footsteps of America's top-paid CTOs on Computerworld, including Rasmus Norling and Michael Schroepfer, could be easier with MIS master's online training. Chief Technology Officers are C-suite officials who oversee all information systems, develop computer-related policies, perform cost-benefit analysis, set organizational tech goals, streamline networks, assemble IT teams, and exploit new innovations.

How Much Do MIS Master's Online Graduates Makes?

Searching the Internet for cheap online MIS degree programs can ratchet up your salary potential in Forbes‘ eighth most valuable college major. Management information systems grads reap better ROI with income nearly double the mean master's wage of $78,000. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that computer and information systems managers report average earnings of $145,740 yearly, or $70.07 per hour. Securities and commodity brokerages pay the best for a $193,140 mean profit. Network architects snag salaries that average $104,240. Master's-trained database administrators in the upper-90th percentile make $129,930. On Salary.com, IT security directors have a median annual income of $167,022. Other six-figure averages are $122,625 for business intelligence managers, $116,307 for eCommerce managers, $109,936 for IT quality assurance directors, $145,462 for technology research managers, and $231,720 for Chief Technology Officers.

What is the Employment Outlook for MIS Degree Online Programs?

Getting a master's in management information systems online unlocks a bright future in the United States' #1 fastest-growing industry according to Investopedia. Organizations of the 21st-century will unsurprisingly rely on tech wizards to maintain robust, reliable IT networks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that hiring of information systems managers will speed up by 12 percent for 44,200 new jobs and total employment of 411,800 by 2026. Demand for information research scientists will explode by 19 percent this decade. Approximately 13,700 positions will be created for database administrators for an 11 percent increase. Cybersecurity is perhaps the most needed niche projecting a whopping 10-year growth of 56 percent in the computer systems design industry. CNBC recognized Seattle, Washington DC, Detroit, Denver, and Austin as the best tech cities outside Silicon Valley. Picking an online MIS degree above would provide flexibility to relocate for your dream senior-level job on a budget.

Additional Sources:

Washington Post
USA Today
College Navigator

This concludes our ranking of the 20 most affordable online MIS degree programs.

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GradSchoolHub.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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