IT Degree vs. Certifications: Which Is Better?

It’s one of the most common questions anyone entering IT or cybersecurity asks: do I need a degree, or can certifications alone get me hired?

The honest answer is that it depends on your timeline, your budget, and the specific role you’re targeting. Here’s a clear-eyed breakdown of both paths; and why, increasingly, the strongest candidates have both.

The Case for Certifications

Certifications are fast, targeted, and directly tied to specific skills employers are actively hiring for.

Pros:

• Faster to complete; often weeks to a few months per certification
• Lower upfront cost than a full degree
• Directly signals current, specific technical competence (e.g., CompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA)
• Widely recognized and often explicitly listed as requirements in job postings

Cons:

• No credential ceiling; certifications alone can plateau your advancement into senior or leadership roles
• Doesn’t demonstrate the broader problem-solving, communication, and project skills a degree program builds
• Some employers and government roles still require a degree regardless of certifications held

The Case for a Degree

A degree; particularly an applied, technology-focused one, builds a broader foundation and often opens doors that certifications alone can’t.

Pros:

• Required or preferred for many mid-level and government/federal roles
• Builds broader skills: project management, communication, systems thinking
• Financial aid, VA/GI Bill benefits, and Yellow Ribbon Program funding are typically available for degree programs but not standalone certifications
• Long-term earning potential tends to be higher across a full career

Cons:

• Longer timeline; typically one to four years depending on the program
• Higher upfront cost than certifications alone, unless bundled or offset by financial aid

Why the Strongest Candidates Have Both

Increasingly, employers aren’t choosing between candidates with a degree or certifications; they’re comparing candidates who have both against those who have only one. A degree demonstrates depth and staying power; certifications prove you’re current on the specific tools and frameworks a role requires today.

This is why CIAT structures its degree programs to bundle industry certifications directly into the curriculum, rather than treating them as a separate, additional expense. Students in programs like Cybersecurity, Software Development, Networking, and IT Administration work toward certifications like Security+, Network+, and CCNA as part of coursework, and thanks to the Unlimited Certification Exam Policy, students can retake most exams at no additional cost until they pass (CISSP and EC-Council CEH excluded).

What About Cost and Salary Impact?

Salary outcomes vary widely by role, location, and experience level, but general industry data shows a consistent pattern: professionals holding both a degree and relevant certifications tend to out-earn those with only one credential type, particularly at the mid-career and senior levels. Salary data referenced in this post is sourced from Salary.com.

For veterans and career changers specifically, the degree-plus-certification combination also unlocks funding routes, like the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon benefits that aren’t typically available for standalone certification bootcamps.

FAQ

Not sure which path fits your goals? Explore CIAT’s accredited programs and see how degree, certifications, and hands-on training come together in one path, with financing options including the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program for eligible students.