Post job

Associate network administrator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an associate network administrator. Associate network administrators usually study business, computer information systems, or computer networking. 49% of associate network administrators hold a bachelor's degree, and 30% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 169 real associate network administrator resumes to see exactly what associate network administrator education sections show.

The most common colleges for associate network administrators are the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

There are also many online associate network administrator courses to help get the education required to be an associate network administrator.

There are certain associate network administrator certifications that you should consider. These associate network administrator certifications include Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Security 5 Certification.

What education do you need to become an associate network administrator?

What degree do you need to be an associate network administrator?

The most common degree for associate network administrators is bachelor's degree, with 49% of associate network administrators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 30% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 49%
  • Associate, 30%
  • Master's, 7%
  • High School Diploma, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become an associate network administrator?

You should major in business to become an associate network administrator. 17% of associate network administrators major in business. Other common majors for an associate network administrator include computer information systems and computer networking.

Most common colleges for associate network administrators

Associate network administrators often get their degrees at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Excelsior College, and Eastern Michigan University. Here are the most common colleges for associate network administrators in the US based on their resumes.
Associate network administrator common collegePercentages
University of North Carolina at Greensboro6.45%
Excelsior College6.45%
Eastern Michigan University6.45%
George Mason University6.45%
Northeastern Illinois University6.45%

Best majors for associate network administrators

Best colleges for associate network administrators

The best colleges for associate network administrators are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanford University.

An associate network administrator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for associate network administrators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become associate network administrators.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

5. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,230

Enrollment

12,161

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

8. Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, IA • Private

In-state tuition

$30,894

Enrollment

2,289

9. University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA • Private

In-state tuition

$8,938

Enrollment

9,391

10. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$9,440

Enrollment

6,785

20 best online courses for associate network administrators

Advertising disclosure

1. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access

udemy
4.7
(4,916)

Training For Beginners - Become a Network Administrator in Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with Remote Server Access!...

2. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

udemy
4.1
(314)

For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...

3. Microsoft Networking Fundamentals

udemy
4.7
(2,515)

Learn Windows-based networking, network management tools, DNS, TCP/IP, network protocols and much more!...

4. Networking Essentials

udemy
4.5
(618)

Gain the essential knowledge and skills required to configure, troubleshoot, manage and protect a data network...

5. Microsoft 70-741 - Networking with Windows Server 2016

udemy
4
(567)

Networking with Windows Server 2016 MCSA Training Course...

6. Computer Network: Networking fundamentals + Wireshark Basics

udemy
4.4
(1,591)

Learn Computer Networks fundamentals and Wireshark Basics; Build Strong, Successful Foundation in Computer Networking...

7. Basic Computer Course - Windows 7/10 - IT & Desktop Support

udemy
4.7
(1,213)

Basic computer course with troubleshooting skills -computer hardware and computer networking, for IT support technicians...

8. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting

udemy
4.2
(1,443)

Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk , Helpdesk , IT Support , System Administration and IT...

9. TOTAL: Active Directory with Windows Server 2016

udemy
4.6
(2,189)

Identity, Access, and Authentication with Microsoft AD and Identity with Windows Server 2016...

10. Computer Networking Fundamentals

udemy
4.2
(309)

Learn all about the basics of computer networking fundamental concepts and network security concepts...

11. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support

udemy
4
(409)

Learn the basic fundamentals of computer networking & OSI model for desktop support and IT service desk technicians...

12. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp

udemy
4.5
(1,653)

Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...

13. Windows Server 2019 Administration

udemy
4.6
(7,325)

Learn Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, Storage, Backup, Azure integration and More...

14. Networking Concepts with Socket Programming - Academic Level

udemy
4.6
(732)

Networking course with socket programming concepts in depth with TCP/UDP/HTTP Socket Programming for beginners to expert...

15. IT Networking Fundamentals For Complete Beginners

udemy
4.5
(1,697)

Understand all the IT Networking Fundamentals and learn how the computer network functions...

16. Java Network Programming - TCP/IP Socket Programming

udemy
4.2
(604)

Learn how to write powerful network applications...

17. Active Directory on Windows Server

udemy
4.6
(8,804)

Learn how to deploy and manage all aspects of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and many more technologies...

18. Computer Networks Foundations - Best Starter Course [2023]

udemy
4.5
(444)

Learn foundations of computer network systems in a simplified manner...

19. Windows Server 2022 administration course. Lecture and Sims

udemy
4.6
(1,377)

Learn how to expertly administer Windows Server 2022 with lecture and hands on simulations available 24/7...

20. Windows Server 2016 Administration

udemy
4.5
(6,400)

Windows Server 2016: Nano Server, Server Core, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Hyper-V, WDS, WSUS, NLB and more...

Top 10 most affordable universities for associate network administrators

The most affordable schools for associate network administrators are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for associate network administrators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for associate network administrators.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

5. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

6. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

7. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

8. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

9. Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$7,879

Cost of attendance

21,223

10. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for associate network administrators

The hardest universities for associate network administrators to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for associate network administrators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for associate network administrators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

10. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for associate network administrators

The easiest schools for associate network administrators to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, wayland baptist university, and university of baltimore.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an associate network administrator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for associate network administrators.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

3. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

4. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

5. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

6. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

7. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

8. Cleary University

Howell, MI • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,039

9. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

10. University of Maine at Fort Kent

Fort Kent, ME • Private

Admissions rate

95%

SAT average

1,005

Average associate network administrator salary by education level

According to our data, associate network administrators with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $64,923 annually. Associate network administrators with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $62,715.
Associate network administrator education levelAssociate network administrator salary
Master's Degree$64,923
High School Diploma or Less$56,241
Bachelor's Degree$62,715
Some College/ Associate Degree$56,947

Associate network administrator education FAQs

Search for associate network administrator jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs