Cost-Conscious MSITM & Information Systems Master’s Options
“Affordable” depends heavily on residency, delivery mode and whether you can keep working. This page highlights programs with relatively low published tuition signals in the current MSITM.com database. It is not a cheapest-to-most-expensive ranking, and the figures below should not be compared without reading the context.
Published totals or ranges that stand out
| Program | Published cost signal | Important context |
|---|---|---|
| USF – MS Artificial Intelligence in Business | About $14,200 in-state for the published accelerated Enterprise Integration path; $21,900 for the published online Digital Transformation cohort | Two different majors and delivery models; compare the path that actually matches your career stage. |
| FIU – MSIS | About $17,039–$17,055 Florida resident; $36,696–$36,713 nonresident | 36-credit published totals vary slightly by start track. |
| UW–Milwaukee – MS ITM | $20,100–$22,858 resident; $40,440–$45,973 nonresident | Published full-time options differ by course plan. |
| FAU Professional MSITM | About $27,000 total / $900 per credit for the professional program | Professional path pricing; traditional and delivery-specific options should be checked separately. |
| Texas A&M – MS MIS | $31,396 Texas resident; $51,176 nonresident; $51,776 international | Program estimate excludes books, living expenses and incidentals. |
| Temple Fox – ITACS | $1,165 per credit; a 30-credit path is about $34,950 base tuition | Specialized cyber/audit/governance degree rather than a broad MSITM program; fees can add to the total. |
| Virginia Tech – Master of IT | $37,795.25 estimated total | 33-credit fully online degree; the ability to remain employed may matter as much as sticker tuition. |
Newly added sub-$40k published signals
- UGA Terry – MS Business & AI: about $25,380 in tuition at the published 2025–26 recommended pace, plus online-only fees; use the current E-Rate calculator for your actual year.
- Arkansas Walton – MIS: estimated $31,626.30 total for the 30-credit professional MIS.
- Utah Eccles – MSIS: $39,000 total / $1,300 per credit for residents and nonresidents, including standard fees.
Public programs with low published per-credit signals
Per-credit prices are useful when a university does not publish one clean program total, but mandatory fees and required extra coursework can materially change the final bill.
- Oklahoma State – MS MIS: current Spears estimates list $555.80 resident / $1,232.40 nonresident per credit on campus and $512 / $555 online, plus applicable professional-program fees.
- Cincinnati – MSIS: current Lindner resident graduate premium rate is $1,145 per credit, with nonresident and individual charges varying.
- Auburn – MSIS: current residential base tuition is $643 resident / $1,975 nonresident per credit, plus a professional fee and other charges.
Programs where resident status changes the decision dramatically
Some public universities look inexpensive for residents but become much less cost-competitive for nonresidents. Examples in the current database include Texas A&M, FIU, Arizona, Michigan, UWM, Auburn, NJIT and others. Compare the rate that actually applies to you.
Do not ignore opportunity cost
A $35,000 online program completed while keeping a $90,000 salary may be financially easier than a $25,000 residential program that requires a year away from work. Conversely, an intensive 10- or 12-month degree may reduce the period of foregone earnings compared with a two-year residential program.
Model tuition + foregone earnings in the ROI calculator →
Before calling a program “cheap”
- Add mandatory university and program fees.
- Confirm whether foundation/prerequisite courses add credits.
- Include health insurance if required.
- Compare scholarships and employer reimbursement.
- Include housing/relocation and foregone salary.
- Check whether tuition is locked for the cohort or can rise annually.
- Use the correct resident/nonresident/international rate.
See the full Cost & Admissions comparison → | Read the ROI guide → | Find your fit →
Online & flexible programs with published tuition signals under $40,000 →
Last reviewed: September 24, 2026. Figures are published tuition signals or estimates, not guaranteed final bills. Verify current rates directly with the university before making a financial decision.