Computer systems designer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a computer systems designer. Computer systems designers usually study computer science, computer programming, or business. 70% of computer systems designers hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 98 real computer systems designer resumes to see exactly what computer systems designer education sections show.

The most common colleges for computer systems designers are the University of South Carolina - Columbia and the University of South Carolina - Columbia.

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

What education do you need to become a computer systems designer?

What degree do you need to be a computer systems designer?

The most common degree for computer systems designers is bachelor's degree, with 70% of computer systems designers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 15% and associate degree degree at 10%.

Bachelor's, 70%

Associate, 15%

Master's, 10%

High School Diploma, 3%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a computer systems designer?

You should major in computer science to become a computer systems designer. 22% of computer systems designers major in computer science. Other common majors for a computer systems designer include computer programming and business.

Computer Science, 22%

Computer Programming, 12%

Business, 10%

Computer Information Systems, 10%

Other Majors, 46%

Most common colleges for computer systems designers

Computer systems designers often get their degrees at University of South Carolina - Columbia, Concord University, and Case Western Reserve University. Here are the most common colleges for computer systems designers in the US based on their resumes.

Computer systems designer common college	Percentages
University of South Carolina - Columbia	8.33%
Concord University	8.33%
Case Western Reserve University	8.33%
University of Maryland - College Park	8.33%
Eastern Michigan University	4.17%

Show more common computer systems designer colleges

Best majors for computer systems designers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	21.7%
2	Computer Programming	11.7%
3	Business	10.0%
4	Computer Information Systems	10.0%
5	Computer Engineering	6.7%

Show more common computer systems designer majors

Best colleges for computer systems designers

The best colleges for computer systems designers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Carnegie Mellon University.

A computer systems designer 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 systems designers. 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 systems designers.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$58,230

Enrollment

6,600

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

9. Elon University

Elon, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$35,319

Enrollment

6,196

10. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

20 best online courses for computer systems designers

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Top 10 most affordable universities for computer systems designers

The most affordable schools for computer systems designers are SUNY Farmingdale, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for computer systems designers 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 systems designers.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

9. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

10. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for computer systems designers

The hardest universities for computer systems designers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for computer systems designers 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 systems designers 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. Tulane University

New Orleans, LA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,428

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for computer systems designers

The easiest schools for computer systems designers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, barry university, and la roche college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a computer systems designer 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 systems designers.

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. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

4. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

7. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

8. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

9. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

10. Cleary University

Howell, MI • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,039

Average computer systems designer salary by education level

According to our data, computer systems designers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $81,827 annually. Computer systems designers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $79,264.

Computer systems designer education level	Computer systems designer salary
Master's Degree	$81,827
High School Diploma or Less	$71,704
Bachelor's Degree	$79,264
Some College/ Associate Degree	$72,533

Computer systems designer education FAQs

What is the best college for Computer Systems Designers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.

Search for computer systems designer jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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