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Backup Operator Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a backup operator. Backup operators usually study business, computer information systems, or computer science. 41% of backup operators hold a high school diploma, and 27% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 386 real backup operator resumes to see exactly what backup operator education sections show.

The most common colleges for backup operators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online backup operator courses to help get the education required to be a backup operator.

What education do you need to become a backup operator?

What degree do you need to be a backup operator?

The most common degree for backup operators is high school diploma, with 41% of backup operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 27% and bachelor's degree degree at 21%.
  • High School Diploma, 41%
  • Bachelor's, 27%
  • Associate, 21%
  • Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a backup operator?

You should major in business to become a backup operator. 15% of backup operators major in business. Other common majors for a backup operator include computer information systems and computer science.

Most common colleges for backup operators

Backup operators often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Missouri Southern State University, and Idaho State University. Here are the most common colleges for backup operators in the US based on their resumes.
Backup Operator Common CollegePercentages
University of Phoenix15.38%
Missouri Southern State University7.69%
Idaho State University7.69%
DeVry University7.69%
Florida Institute of Technology3.85%

Best majors for backup operators

Best colleges for backup operators

The best colleges for backup operators are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A backup operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for backup operators. 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 backup operators.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

4. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

6. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

7. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

8. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-State Tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

20 best online courses for backup operators

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Top 10 most affordable universities for backup operators

The most affordable schools for backup operators are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - dominguez hills.

If the best universities for backup operators 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 backup operators.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,306

Cost of Attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,309

Cost of Attendance

16,714

3. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,942

Cost of Attendance

14,469

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,620

Cost of Attendance

18,136

5. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,556

Cost of Attendance

19,434

6. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,064

Cost of Attendance

15,576

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-State Tuition

$4,094

Cost of Attendance

14,302

8. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,238

Cost of Attendance

21,567

9. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,381

Cost of Attendance

21,034

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,656

Cost of Attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for backup operators

The hardest universities for backup operators to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for backup operators 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 backup operators 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

4%

SAT Average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,508

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

13%

SAT Average

1,445

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

20%

SAT Average

1,419

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

29%

SAT Average

1,407

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions Rate

10%

SAT Average

1,514

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions Rate

42%

SAT Average

1,380

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

40%

SAT Average

1,376

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

29%

SAT Average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for backup operators

The easiest schools for backup operators to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, d'youville college, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a backup operator 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 backup operators.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions Rate

68%

SAT Average

964

2. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

100%

SAT Average

1,072

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

70%

SAT Average

849

4. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

98%

SAT Average

999

5. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

92%

SAT Average

1,031

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions Rate

90%

SAT Average

994

7. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

84%

SAT Average

1,031

8. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions Rate

98%

SAT Average

1,003

9. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

93%

SAT Average

1,026

10. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions Rate

81%

SAT Average

999

Average backup operator salary by education level

According to our data, backup operators with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $47,999 annually. Backup operators with a Doctorate degree earn an average annual salary of $46,013.
Backup Operator education levelBackup Operator salary
Master's Degree$47,999
High School Diploma or Less$34,336
Bachelor's Degree$42,454
Doctorate Degree$46,013
Some College/ Associate Degree$34,131

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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.

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