In the spring, Computerworld assembled a panel of more than two dozen IT executives, hiring managers, recruiters and academics to help identify the country's leading-edge schools for IT workers seeking to advance their careers. We asked the panelists to consider -- based on reputation -- graduate-level IT programs and schools that are giving graduates the best deal in terms of salary increases or promotions vs. cost of tuition, and that are best at gearing their curriculum to the everyday demands of today's IT workplace. From those IT schools selected by the panel, a group of Computerworld editors chose 13 innovative IT schools to profile. To determine the letter grades that accompany the profiles, Computerworld partnered with Dice.com to survey alumni at the schools, asking for feedback on their satisfaction with the following: the program's positive impact on their careers (career advancement/salary increase/job offers/skills) and the relevance of course content to actual career activities. Information about the schools' programs, deans and tuition were provided by school administrators.

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