Online & Flexible Options in the 50-Program Database
Delivery flexibility can mean fully online, online plus campus choice, hybrid/live virtual, evening study, part-time pacing or multiple start terms. Those are not interchangeable. The right format depends on whether you need to keep working, relocate, use campus recruiting, pursue an internship or maintain F-1 eligibility.
| Flexibility pattern | Current examples | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Fully online / online-first | Arizona State MS IT; Penn State World Campus MS Information Science; Virginia Tech Master of IT; UGA MS Business & AI | Synchronous vs asynchronous delivery, internship access, career services and any residency requirements. |
| Campus + online choice | Syracuse, Stevens, BU MET, CU Denver, NJIT, Oakland, DePaul, Houston, UConn, Temple, Utah Eccles | Whether online students receive the same electives, faculty access and recruiting opportunities. |
| Live virtual / professional cohort | FAU Professional MSITM; USF AI in Business Digital Transformation; Arkansas Walton Professional MIS | Scheduled class times, weekend commitments and employer-friendly pacing. |
| Part-time / evening flexibility | UT Dallas, Rutgers, Michigan, GW, Pace, Fordham, UT Arlington and others | Evening course availability, time to degree and whether key electives rotate by term. |
| Residential + separate online tracks | University of Washington MSIM and other multi-path programs | Do not assume admissions, tuition, curriculum or immigration implications are identical across tracks. |
Working while enrolled changes ROI
A flexible program can reduce foregone earnings dramatically, even when its tuition is not the lowest. Compare the ability to keep your salary with program length, employer reimbursement and recruiting access.
Working-professional comparison → | ROI calculator →
International applicants
Do not assume a fully online program can support F-1 enrollment or that an online track has the same STEM/OPT implications as a residential degree. Confirm the exact delivery option with the university’s international office.
International student / STEM / OPT guide →
Questions to ask before choosing “online”
- Are classes asynchronous, scheduled live, or mixed?
- Are campus visits required?
- Can online students use the same career center and employer events?
- Are internships/co-ops realistic while working full time?
- Can you change pace between terms?
- Are all concentrations/electives offered online?
- Is tuition the same by modality and residency?
Online + STEM programs → | Flexible options under $40k →
Filter all 50 programs → | Compare format tradeoffs →
Formats reviewed September 24, 2026. Verify the exact delivery option for your intended entry term.