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Data communications technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a data communications technician. Data communications technicians usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or computer science. 41% of data communications technicians hold a associate degree, and 35% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 466 real data communications technician resumes to see exactly what data communications technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for data communications technicians are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.
There are also many online data communications technician courses to help get the education required to be a data communications technician.
There are certain data communications technician certifications that you should consider. These data communications technician certifications include Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) and Security 5 Certification.
What education do you need to become a data communications technician?
What degree do you need to be a data communications technician?
- Associate, 41%
- Bachelor's, 35%
- High School Diploma, 14%
- Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a data communications technician?
- Computer Science, 9%
- Business, 8%
- Other Majors, 51%
Most common colleges for data communications technicians
| Data communications technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| DeVry University | 17.02% |
| University of Phoenix | 12.77% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 8.51% |
| American InterContinental University | 6.38% |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | 6.38% |
Best majors for data communications technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 17.7% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 13.8% |
| 3 | Computer Science | 8.9% |
| 4 | Business | 8.4% |
| 5 | Computer Information Systems | 6.9% |
Best colleges for data communications technicians
The best colleges for data communications technicians are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
A data communications 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 data communications 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 data communications technicians.
1. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
3. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
4. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
5. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,785
Enrollment
7,711
6. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
7. Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$40,749
Enrollment
2,582
8. Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$11,870
Enrollment
53,194
9. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,926
Enrollment
9,835
10. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$19,080
Enrollment
19,127
20 best online courses for data communications technicians
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6. Networks and Communications Security
Welcome to Networks and Communications Security Course! In the Networks and Communications Security Course, you will learn about the network structure, data transmission methods, transport formats, and the security measures used to maintain integrity, availability, authentication, and confidentiality of the information being transmitted. Concepts for both public and private communication networks will be discussed. Course Objectives 1. Describe network-related security issues 2. Identify...
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17. TCP/IP Training Video A Definitive & Easy To Follow Course
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18. Introduction To Fiber Optic Cabling
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20. CAN & LIN communication protocols and AUTOSAR
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Top 10 most affordable universities for data communications technicians
The most affordable schools for data communications technicians are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.
If the best universities for data communications 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 data communications technicians.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
6. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley, WV • Private
In-state tuition
$7,464
Cost of attendance
17,166
9. National University College - Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$6,675
Cost of attendance
12,941
10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for data communications technicians
The hardest universities for data communications technicians to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for data communications 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 data communications 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. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
5. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
8. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
9. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
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 data communications technicians
The easiest schools for data communications technicians to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a data communications 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 data communications technicians.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
3. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
Altoona, PA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,094
4. Pennsylvania State University - Berks
Reading, PA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,107
5. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
6. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,068
7. Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
957
8. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
9. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
10. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
Average data communications technician salary by education level
| Data communications technician education level | Data communications technician salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $61,331 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $50,220 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $52,518 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $55,403 |
Data communications technician education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025