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Computer system technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a computer system technician. Computer system technicians usually study computer science, computer information systems, or electrical engineering. 41% of computer system technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 37% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,077 real computer system technician resumes to see exactly what computer system technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for computer system technicians are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online computer system technician courses to help get the education required to be a computer system technician.
There are certain computer system technician certifications that you should consider. These computer system technician certifications include Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) and Security 5 Certification.
What education do you need to become a computer system technician?
What degree do you need to be a computer system technician?
- Bachelor's, 41%
- Associate, 37%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Diploma, 7%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become a computer system technician?
- Computer Science, 15%
- Other Majors, 52%
Most common colleges for computer system technicians
| Computer system technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 12.64% |
| Strayer University | 10.34% |
| DeVry University | 8.05% |
| Colorado Technical University | 5.75% |
| San Francisco State University | 4.60% |
Best majors for computer system technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 14.8% |
| 2 | Computer Information Systems | 11.9% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering | 11.1% |
| 4 | Information Technology | 9.9% |
| 5 | Business | 9.4% |
Best colleges for computer system technicians
The best colleges for computer system technicians are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanford University.
A computer system 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 system 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 system technicians.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,700
Enrollment
29,722
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$9,101
Enrollment
23,708
8. Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ • Private
In-state tuition
$52,202
Enrollment
3,420
9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
10. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$53,880
Enrollment
6,590
20 best online courses for computer system technicians
Advertising disclosure
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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...
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The Computer Security and Systems Management Specialization focuses on computing in an enterprise environment. Combining both theory and real world experience and architecture, the courses will prepare you to design and audit secure enterprise systems. The courses will cover practical use of major server operating systems in an enterprise environment and how to design and operate them securely...
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Learn the basic fundamentals of computer networking & OSI model for desktop support and IT service desk technicians...
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Learn how to troubleshoot desktop computer issues as an IT Support Technician on real-world organisational networks...
8. Computer Networks Foundations - Best Starter Course [2023]
Learn foundations of computer network systems in a simplified manner...
9. Windows 10 System Administration & Basic Computer Skills
Learn the basics of system administration for the Windows 10 operating system, as well as some basic computer skills...
10. Advanced IT Troubleshooting for Helpdesk Support Technicians
Learn some of the less common IT troubleshooting techniques for Windows computers...
11. 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...
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Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...
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Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk , Helpdesk , IT Support , System Administration and IT...
15. Distributed Systems & Cloud Computing with Java
Learn Distributed Java Applications at Scale, Parallel Programming, Distributed Computing & Cloud Software Architecture...
16. Computer Networking Fundamentals
Learn all about the basics of computer networking fundamental concepts and network security concepts...
17. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration
Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...
18. The Complete Computer Basics Course: Become a Power User
Basic Computer Course - IT Support - Computer Fundamentals - Desktop Support - Basic Computer Skills...
19. Build Your Own Custom Computer!
Learn everything you need to know about computers including how to do your own troubleshooting!...
20. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 2
Learn memory management in operating systems as operating system forms the core of computer science...
Top 10 most affordable universities for computer system technicians
The most affordable schools for computer system technicians are Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, hunter college of the city university of new york, and clayton state university.
If the best universities for computer system 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 system technicians.
1. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State University - East Bay
Hayward, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,983
Cost of attendance
21,371
6. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Cost of attendance
13,564
8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
9. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas
Barranquitas, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,479
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for computer system technicians
The hardest universities for computer system technicians to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for computer system 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 system 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. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,412
10. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,415
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for computer system technicians
The easiest schools for computer system technicians to get into are Saint Martin's University, nyack college, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a computer system 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 system technicians.
1. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
2. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
4. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
5. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
6. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, MN • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,148
9. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
10. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
Average computer system technician salary by education level
| Computer system technician education level | Computer system technician salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $81,187 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $64,805 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $71,568 |
| Doctorate Degree | $77,864 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $66,079 |
Computer system technician education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025