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Computer Specialist Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a computer specialist. Computer specialists usually study computer science, business, or computer information systems. 57% of computer specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 25% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 5,884 real computer specialist resumes to see exactly what computer specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for computer specialists are the University of Maryland - College Park and the University of Maryland - College Park.

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

There are certain computer specialist certifications that you should consider. These computer specialist certifications include Security 5 Certification and Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP).

What education do you need to become a computer specialist?

What degree do you need to be a computer specialist?

The most common degree for computer specialists is bachelor's degree, with 57% of computer specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 25% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 57%
  • Associate, 25%
  • High School Diploma, 7%
  • Master's, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a computer specialist?

You should major in computer science to become a computer specialist. 20% of computer specialists major in computer science. Other common majors for a computer specialist include business and computer information systems.

Most common colleges for computer specialists

Computer specialists often get their degrees at University of Maryland - College Park, University of Phoenix, and University of Illinois at Chicago. Here are the most common colleges for computer specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Computer Specialist Common CollegePercentages
University of Maryland - College Park13.00%
University of Phoenix12.33%
University of Illinois at Chicago10.54%
DeVry University7.40%
Strayer University7.17%

Best majors for computer specialists

Best colleges for computer specialists

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

A computer specialist 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 specialists. 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 specialists.

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 specialists

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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. Introduction to Computer Information Systems

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This Specialization is intended for anyone seeking to learn basic computer skills. Through 3 courses, you will study computer hardware, software, and data safety. You will also learn about digital literacy and productivity tools. These courses will prepare you for a number of jobs within the field of computer information systems...

3. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

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4. 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...

5. Information Technology (IT) and Cloud Fundamentals

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In today’s connected world, core knowledge of IT hardware, software, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies is vital for almost every function, or role within an organization. Adding storage, updating an operating system, connecting to a network, recognizing phishing, and setting up Cloud instances are some of the skills employees need or need help with. This five-course specialization provides prerequisite skills for almost all IT careers, including technical support specialist,...

6. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support

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7. Computer Networks Fundamentals

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

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17. Build Your Own Custom Computer!

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19. Learn How to Fix Wi-Fi, Computer, and Networking problems!

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20. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access

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Training For Beginners - Become a Network Administrator in Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with Remote Server Access!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for computer specialists

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

If the best universities for computer specialists 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 specialists.

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 specialists

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

Some great schools for computer specialists 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 specialists 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 specialists

The easiest schools for computer specialists 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 specialist 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 specialists.

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 specialist salary by education level

According to our data, computer specialists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $87,807 annually. Computer specialists with a Doctorate degree earn an average annual salary of $84,652.
Computer Specialist education levelComputer Specialist salary
Master's Degree$87,807
High School Diploma or Less$72,087
Bachelor's Degree$78,630
Doctorate Degree$84,652
Some College/ Associate Degree$73,325

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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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