Explore Jobs
Find Specific Jobs
Explore Careers
Explore Professions
Best Companies
Explore Companies
Computer Operator Education Requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a computer operator. Computer operators usually study computer science, business, or drafting and design. 38% of computer operators hold a bachelor's degree, and 37% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 27,662 real computer operator resumes to see exactly what computer operator education sections show.
The most common colleges for computer operators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online computer operator courses to help get the education required to be a computer operator.
There are certain computer operator certifications that you should consider. These computer operator certifications include Certified Network Computer Technician (CNCT) and Computer Service Technician (CST).
What education do you need to become a computer operator?
What degree do you need to be a computer operator?
- Bachelor's, 38%
- Associate, 37%
- High School Diploma, 11%
- Diploma, 7%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a computer operator?
- Computer Science, 19%
- Business, 18%
- Other Majors, 45%
Most common colleges for computer operators
| Computer Operator Common College | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 19.60% |
| DeVry University | 13.10% |
| Strayer University | 6.27% |
| St. Louis | 5.04% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 4.48% |
Best majors for computer operators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 19.0% |
| 2 | Business | 18.1% |
| 3 | Drafting And Design | 9.3% |
| 4 | Computer Information Systems | 9.3% |
| 5 | Computer Programming | 6.1% |
Best colleges for computer operators
The best colleges for computer operators are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A computer 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 computer 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 computer operators.
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 computer operators
Advertising Disclosure
1. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems
Get ready to enter the thriving field of Information Technology (IT), with job ready skills! This beginner friendly course provides the core hardware and operating system knowledge needed by anyone new to IT and computer hardware who wants to start a new career in technology, including IT Support, Networking, Cybersecurity, and Software Development. You will first be introduced to computing fundamentals, the four functions of computing, and the benefits of computing. You will become...
2. Computer Hardware and Software
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...
3. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking
For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...
4. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support
Learn the basic fundamentals of computer networking & OSI model for desktop support and IT service desk technicians...
5. Introduction to Enterprise Computing
Large Scale Enterprise Computing powers all major transactions, and the Mainframe is responsible for 87% of all credit card transactions and enables 71% of all Fortune 500 companies. Mainframes are fundamental on how we do business, and IBM Z is the only production mainframe sold today. Virtually everyone depends on it. This is your introduction to the hardware, operating systems, security, and features that make this possible. On successful completion of this course, learners are eligible to...
6. Basic Computer Course - Windows 7/10 - IT & Desktop Support
Basic computer course with troubleshooting skills -computer hardware and computer networking, for IT support technicians...
7. Batch Processing with Spring Batch & Spring Boot
Batch Processing of Data with Java Spring Framework & My SQL. Item Reader, Item Writer, Item Processor & JPA Reader...
8. The Complete Job Control Language (JCL) Course.
Mainframe JCL Procedures, SORT, GDGs, Libraries, Utilities such as IEBCOPY, IEBGENER etc are explained in detail...
9. Computer Networks Fundamentals
Use this course to cover your Computer Networking basics!...
10. Computer Networking Fundamentals
Learn all about the basics of computer networking fundamental concepts and network security concepts...
11. Master Spring Batch
Learn Spring Batch and Spring Boot together...
12. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 2
Learn memory management in operating systems as operating system forms the core of computer science...
13. The Complete Computer Basics Guide for Beginners: 2023
Computer Basics, Basic Computer Course, Windows 11 Basics, Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, Basic Computer Skills,2023...
14. Mainframe CICS Developer Training By Anil Polsani
Simple Ways to Learn Best Concepts...
15. Cloud Computing for Beginners - Infrastructure as a Service
Learn the Technology, Concept and Market Use Cases of Infrastructure as a Service Model in Public Cloud Computing...
16. Computer Network: Networking fundamentals + Wireshark Basics
Learn Computer Networks fundamentals and Wireshark Basics; Build Strong, Successful Foundation in Computer Networking...
17. Build Your Own Custom Computer!
Learn everything you need to know about computers including how to do your own troubleshooting!...
18. Computer Networks Foundations - Best Starter Course [2023]
Learn foundations of computer network systems in a simplified manner...
19. Introduction to Computer Networks for Non-Techies
Learn the Fundamentals of Computer Networking for Non-Techies...
20. Cloud Computing and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Fundamentals
Examine the Key Principles of Cloud Computing including Service Models, Deployment Models, & Foundations of AWS...
Top 10 most affordable universities for computer operators
The most affordable schools for computer operators are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for computer 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 computer operators.
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 computer operators
The hardest universities for computer operators to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for computer 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 computer 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
4%
SAT Average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
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 computer operators
The easiest schools for computer operators 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 computer 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 computer operators.
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 computer operator salary by education level
| Computer Operator education level | Computer Operator salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $52,119 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $38,506 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $46,647 |
| Doctorate Degree | $50,167 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $38,298 |
Computer Operator Education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common office and administrative questions.
Search for computer operator jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025