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Computer installation technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a computer installation technician. Computer installation technicians usually study business, computer science, or computer networking. 42% of computer installation technicians hold a associate degree, and 33% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 274 real computer installation technician resumes to see exactly what computer installation technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for computer installation technicians are the Stevenson University and the Stevenson University.

There are also many online computer installation technician courses to help get the education required to be a computer installation technician.

What education do you need to become a computer installation technician?

What degree do you need to be a computer installation technician?

The most common degree for computer installation technicians is associate degree, with 42% of computer installation technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 33% and bachelor's degree degree at 15%.
  • Associate, 42%
  • Bachelor's, 33%
  • High School Diploma, 15%
  • Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a computer installation technician?

You should major in business to become a computer installation technician. 15% of computer installation technicians major in business. Other common majors for a computer installation technician include computer science and computer networking.

Most common colleges for computer installation technicians

Computer installation technicians often get their degrees at Stevenson University, University of Phoenix, and DeVry University. Here are the most common colleges for computer installation technicians in the US based on their resumes.
Computer installation technician common collegePercentages
Stevenson University9.68%
University of Phoenix9.68%
DeVry University9.68%
University of California - Davis6.45%
Roger Williams University School of Law6.45%

Best majors for computer installation technicians

Best colleges for computer installation technicians

The best colleges for computer installation technicians are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A computer installation technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for computer installation technicians. 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 computer installation technicians.

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. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

4. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

6. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

7. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$53,880

Enrollment

6,590

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,230

Enrollment

12,161

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Enrollment

2,120

20 best online courses for computer installation technicians

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1. Computer Hardware and Software

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This course provides foundational understanding of how computers process information through hardware and software. You will investigate the world of Information Technology (IT) and survey hardware components, mobile devices, operating systems, programs and apps, network fundamentals, the Internet, and touch on security and ethics...

2. Network Installation Fundamentals

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This online course, Network Installation Fundamentals, is your steppingstone to a rewarding career in network technology. By the end of this course, you will be able to understand basic network client management, explain the role of network connection media, and describe the role of virtualization in enterprise networking. Perfect for beginners with no experience, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to network installation, one of the most in-demand skills in the networking field...

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

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

4. IT/Desktop Computer Support- Troubleshooting for Technicians

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4.2
(306)

Learn how to troubleshoot desktop computer issues as an IT Support Technician on real-world organisational networks...

5. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

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6. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support

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

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

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

8. Microsoft 70-740 - Install, Storage & Compute w/ Server 2016

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14. Computer Network: Networking fundamentals + Wireshark Basics

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

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16. CS101 Bootcamp: Introduction to Computer Science & Software

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17. The Complete Cloud Computing Software Architecture Patterns

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Architect Large Scale Systems using Cloud Computing, Software Architecture Patterns & Modern System Design Principles...

18. Build Your Own Custom Computer!

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Learn everything you need to know about computers including how to do your own troubleshooting!...

19. Computer Networks Fundamentals

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Use this course to cover your Computer Networking basics!...

20. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp

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

Top 10 most affordable universities for computer installation technicians

The most affordable schools for computer installation technicians are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for computer installation technicians 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 computer installation technicians.

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. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

5. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Cost of attendance

24,718

10. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for computer installation technicians

The hardest universities for computer installation technicians to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for computer installation technicians 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 computer installation technicians 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. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

8. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

9. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,415

10. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for computer installation technicians

The easiest schools for computer installation technicians to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame college, and lim college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a computer installation technician 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 computer installation technicians.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

3. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

6. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

7. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

8. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

9. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

10. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

Average computer installation technician salary by education level

According to our data, computer installation technicians with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $36,225 annually. Computer installation technicians with a Doctorate degree earn an average annual salary of $34,968.
Computer installation technician education levelComputer installation technician salary
Master's Degree$36,225
High School Diploma or Less$29,944
Bachelor's Degree$32,564
Doctorate Degree$34,968
Some College/ Associate Degree$30,441

Computer installation technician education FAQs

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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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