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Client systems administrator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a client systems administrator. Client systems administrators usually study computer information systems, information technology, or business. 43% of client systems administrators hold a bachelor's degree, and 41% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 343 real client systems administrator resumes to see exactly what client systems administrator education sections show.

The most common colleges for client systems administrators are the American University and the American University.

There are also many online client systems administrator courses to help get the education required to be a client systems administrator.

What education do you need to become a client systems administrator?

What degree do you need to be a client systems administrator?

The most common degree for client systems administrators is bachelor's degree, with 43% of client systems administrators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 41% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 43%
  • Associate, 41%
  • Master's, 7%
  • High School Diploma, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a client systems administrator?

You should major in computer information systems to become a client systems administrator. 24% of client systems administrators major in computer information systems. Other common majors for a client systems administrator include information technology and business.

Most common colleges for client systems administrators

Client systems administrators often get their degrees at American University, University of Phoenix, and DeVry University. Here are the most common colleges for client systems administrators in the US based on their resumes.
Client systems administrator common collegePercentages
American University14.58%
University of Phoenix14.58%
DeVry University10.42%
University of South Carolina - Columbia6.25%
Western Washington University6.25%

Best majors for client systems administrators

Best colleges for client systems administrators

The best colleges for client systems administrators are Syracuse University, Southern Methodist University, and Johns Hopkins University.

A client systems 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 client systems 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 client systems administrators.

1. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

2. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

4. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$17,653

Enrollment

16,405

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

6. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$53,399

Enrollment

7,356

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

10. University of Richmond

University of Richmond, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$52,610

Enrollment

3,215

20 best online courses for client systems administrators

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Top 10 most affordable universities for client systems administrators

The most affordable schools for client systems administrators are Brigham Young University, john jay college of criminal justice of the city university of new york, and purdue university.

If the best universities for client systems 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 client systems administrators.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,270

Cost of attendance

14,177

3. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

4. Augusta University

Augusta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$8,604

Cost of attendance

20,618

5. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

7. Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$7,879

Cost of attendance

21,223

8. SUNY at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,099

Cost of attendance

24,568

9. Angelo State University

San Angelo, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$7,436

Cost of attendance

18,395

10. SUNY College at Brockport

Brockport, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,412

Cost of attendance

22,901

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for client systems administrators

The hardest universities for client systems administrators to get into are Syracuse University, Southern Methodist University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for client systems 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 client systems 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. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

2. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

5. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,309

6. University of Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,300

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

10. SUNY at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,250

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for client systems administrators

The easiest schools for client systems administrators to get into are Life University, linfield college, and saint thomas university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a client systems 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 client systems administrators.

1. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

2. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

3. Saint Thomas University

Miami Gardens, FL • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

1,031

4. Augusta University

Augusta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

80%

SAT average

1,172

5. Cleary University

Howell, MI • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,039

6. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

7. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

8. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

9. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

10. University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,050

Average client systems administrator salary by education level

Client systems administrators with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $104,504 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, client systems administrators earn a median annual income of $102,071 compared to $95,582 for client systems administrators with an Associate degree.
Client systems administrator education levelClient systems administrator salary
Master's Degree$104,504
High School Diploma or Less$94,772
Bachelor's Degree$102,071
Some College/ Associate Degree$95,582

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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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