Cisco network engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a cisco network engineer. Cisco network engineers usually study computer science, business, or electrical engineering. 63% of cisco network engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 454 real cisco network engineer resumes to see exactly what cisco network engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for cisco network engineers are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.

There are also many online cisco network engineer courses to help get the education required to be a cisco network engineer.

There are certain cisco network engineer certifications that you should consider. These cisco network engineer certifications include CCNA and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

What education do you need to become a cisco network engineer?

What degree do you need to be a cisco network engineer?

The most common degree for cisco network engineers is bachelor's degree, with 63% of cisco network engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 20% and associate degree degree at 10%.

Bachelor's, 63%

Associate, 20%

Master's, 10%

Diploma, 3%

Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a cisco network engineer?

You should major in computer science to become a cisco network engineer. 16% of cisco network engineers major in computer science. Other common majors for a cisco network engineer include business and electrical engineering.

Computer Science, 16%

Business, 12%

Electrical Engineering, 12%

Computer Information Systems, 10%

Other Majors, 50%

Most common colleges for cisco network engineers

Cisco network engineers often get their degrees at DeVry University, University of Phoenix, and Auburn University Main Campus. Here are the most common colleges for cisco network engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Cisco network engineer common college	Percentages
DeVry University	17.24%
University of Phoenix	13.79%
Auburn University Main Campus	6.90%
University of Houston	6.90%
New York Institute of Technology	6.90%

Show more common cisco network engineer colleges

Best majors for cisco network engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	16.4%
2	Business	11.7%
3	Electrical Engineering	11.7%
4	Computer Information Systems	10.3%
5	Computer Networking	8.9%

Show more common cisco network engineer majors

Best colleges for cisco network engineers

The best colleges for cisco network engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A cisco network engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for cisco network engineers. 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 cisco network engineers.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

7. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,530

Enrollment

4,571

20 best online courses for cisco network engineers

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5. Python Programming for Network Engineers: Cisco, Netmiko ++

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6. Cisco ASA Firewall Fundamentals

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Learn how to deploy Cisco ASA firewalls including remote access VPN & Site-to-Site VPN...

7. Cisco ASA AnyConnect VPN

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8. Cisco ASA firewall basics

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9. Implementing a Cisco ASA Firewall 9.X - All - in - One

4.8

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Implementing a Cisco ASA Firewall 9.X - All - in - One...

10. CCNA Security Real World Labs - Cisco ASA, Network Security

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11. Ansible for Network Engineers: Quick Start GNS3 & Ansible

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12. Cisco ASA Firewall in 12 days

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A comprehensive coverage of Cisco ASA firewalls from basic level to advanced...

13. General Networking - wireless, routers, firewalls, Cisco NAS

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14. Cisco - TCP/IP & OSI Network Architecture Models

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Learn Cisco Objectives - TCP/IP & OSI Models and understand protocols and the communication process...

15. Python Network Programming for Network Engineers (Python 3)

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16. MPLS Fundamentals: Cisco CCNP & Real World

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17. The Complete Cisco CCNA & CCNP Networking Labs Course 2023

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18. Cisco OSPF Breakdown!

4.7

(253)

This course is geared for Cisco's, CCNA (200-120) certification exam. OSPF is an essential protocol for all Cisco certs...

19. Virtual Private Networks for beginners - VPN, Cisco training

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20. CCNA 2020 - CCNA 200-301 exam - a complete guide - Cisco

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Top 10 most affordable universities for cisco network engineers

The most affordable schools for cisco network engineers are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for cisco network engineers 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 cisco network engineers.

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. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

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 cisco network engineers

The hardest universities for cisco network engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for cisco network engineers 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 cisco network engineers 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,415

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for cisco network engineers

The easiest schools for cisco network engineers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, barry university, and nyack college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a cisco network engineer 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 cisco network engineers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

4. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

10. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

Average cisco network engineer salary by education level

Cisco network engineers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $108,993 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, cisco network engineers earn a median annual income of $105,566 compared to $96,567 for cisco network engineers with an Associate degree.

Cisco network engineer education level	Cisco network engineer salary
Master's Degree	$108,993
High School Diploma or Less	$95,460
Bachelor's Degree	$105,566
Some College/ Associate Degree	$96,567

Cisco network engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Cisco Network Engineers?

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Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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