Computer systems manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a computer systems manager. Computer systems managers usually study computer science, business, or computer information systems. 57% of computer systems managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 26% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 819 real computer systems manager resumes to see exactly what computer systems manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for computer systems managers are the Northeastern University and the Northeastern University.

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

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

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

The most common degree for computer systems managers is bachelor's degree, with 57% of computer systems managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 26% and associate degree degree at 9%.

Bachelor's, 57%

Associate, 26%

Master's, 9%

High School Diploma, 4%

Other Degrees, 4%

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

You should major in computer science to become a computer systems manager. 23% of computer systems managers major in computer science. Other common majors for a computer systems manager include business and computer information systems.

Computer Science, 23%

Business, 16%

Computer Information Systems, 9%

Electrical Engineering, 8%

Other Majors, 44%

Most common colleges for computer systems managers

Computer systems managers often get their degrees at Northeastern University, Purdue University, and University of Maryland - College Park. Here are the most common colleges for computer systems managers in the US based on their resumes.

Computer systems manager common college	Percentages
Northeastern University	8.86%
Purdue University	7.59%
University of Maryland - College Park	7.59%
New York University	6.33%
Texas A&M University	6.33%

Show more common computer systems manager colleges

Best majors for computer systems managers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	22.7%
2	Business	15.6%
3	Computer Information Systems	8.8%
4	Electrical Engineering	8.5%
5	Information Technology	5.5%

Show more common computer systems manager majors

Best colleges for computer systems managers

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

A computer systems manager 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 managers. 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 managers.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

4. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

20 best online courses for computer systems managers

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

5. Introduction to Computer Information Systems

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...

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Learn the basics of system administration for the Windows 10 operating system, as well as some basic computer skills...

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Learn foundations of computer network systems in a simplified manner...

15. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration

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Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...

16. 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...

17. PowerShell for Active Directory Administrators

4.5

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Use Power Shell to manage Active Directory users, computer, groups, security settings and more on Windows Server...

18. Computer Networking Fundamentals

4.2

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Learn all about the basics of computer networking fundamental concepts and network security concepts...

19. Computer Networks Fundamentals

4.6

(487)

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

20. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp

4.5

(1,653)

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

Top 10 most affordable universities for computer systems managers

The most affordable schools for computer systems managers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for computer systems managers 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 managers.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

5. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

8. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

10. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for computer systems managers

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

Some great schools for computer systems managers 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 managers 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. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

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 managers

The easiest schools for computer systems managers to get into are Barry University, capitol technology university, and ottawa university.

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

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

3. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

4. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

6. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

7. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

8. Chestnut Hill College

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,026

9. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

10. Washington Adventist Hospital

Takoma Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

958

Average computer systems manager salary by education level

Computer systems managers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $150,945 annually. With a Master's degree, computer systems managers earn a median annual income of $147,806 compared to $138,309 for computer systems managers with an Bachelor's degree.

Computer systems manager education level	Computer systems manager salary
Master's Degree	$147,806
Bachelor's Degree	$138,309
Doctorate Degree	$150,945
Some College/ Associate Degree	$114,946

Computer systems manager education FAQs

What is the best college for Computer Systems Managers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.

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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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