Data network engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a data network engineer. Data network engineers usually study electrical engineering, computer science, or business. 67% of data network engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 444 real data network engineer resumes to see exactly what data network engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for data network engineers are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.

There are also many online data network engineer courses to help get the education required to be a data network engineer.

There are certain data network engineer certifications that you should consider. These data network engineer certifications include CCNP Service Provider Operations (CCNP) and Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA).

What education do you need to become a data network engineer?

What degree do you need to be a data network engineer?

The most common degree for data network engineers is bachelor's degree, with 67% of data network engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 17% and associate degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 67%

Associate, 17%

Master's, 12%

Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a data network engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a data network engineer. 34% of data network engineers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a data network engineer include computer science and business.

Electrical Engineering, 34%

Computer Science, 15%

Business, 9%

Computer Networking, 6%

Other Majors, 36%

Most common colleges for data network engineers

Data network engineers often get their degrees at DeVry University, University of Phoenix, and Drexel University. Here are the most common colleges for data network engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Data network engineer common college	Percentages
DeVry University	18.64%
University of Phoenix	15.25%
Drexel University	6.78%
Harvard University	5.08%
University of Memphis	3.39%

Show more common data network engineer colleges

Best majors for data network engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	33.6%
2	Computer Science	14.7%
3	Business	9.1%
4	Computer Networking	5.6%
5	Management Information Systems	4.7%

Show more common data network engineer majors

Best colleges for data network engineers

The best colleges for data network engineers are Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

A data network engineer 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 network engineers. 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 network engineers.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

2. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$19,080

Enrollment

19,127

5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Enrollment

4,169

6. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Enrollment

2,120

7. Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,646

Enrollment

5,736

8. Wentworth Institute of Technology

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$33,950

Enrollment

4,254

9. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$42,345

Enrollment

12,886

10. Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK • Private

In-state tuition

$9,019

Enrollment

20,323

20 best online courses for data network engineers

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2. Introduction to Networking 2 Hour Crash Course

4.6

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3. Networking Concepts with Socket Programming - Academic Level

4.6

(732)

Networking course with socket programming concepts in depth with TCP/UDP/HTTP Socket Programming for beginners to expert...

4. Ansible for Network Engineers: Quick Start GNS3 & Ansible

4.8

(3,873)

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5. Java Network Programming - TCP/IP Socket Programming

4.2

(604)

Learn how to write powerful network applications...

6. Python Network Programming for Network Engineers (Python 3)

4.7

(8,322)

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7. Fundamentals of Network Engineering

4.7

(2,316)

Understanding the first principles of networking to build low latency and high throughput backends...

8. Microsoft Networking Fundamentals

4.7

(2,515)

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9. Python Programming for Network Engineers: Cisco, Netmiko ++

4.3

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16. Ethical Hacking: Network Security & Network Layer Attack

4.5

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4.9

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18. Linux for Network Engineers: Practical Linux with GNS3

4.6

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Linux for Networking Engineers (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE etc). Practical Linux with GNS3 = network programmability & automation...

19. Virtual Private Networks for beginners - VPN, Cisco training

4.2

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20. Computer Network: Networking fundamentals + Wireshark Basics

4.4

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Learn Computer Networks fundamentals and Wireshark Basics; Build Strong, Successful Foundation in Computer Networking...

Top 10 most affordable universities for data network engineers

The most affordable schools for data network engineers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and suny polytechnic institute.

If the best universities for data network engineers 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 network engineers.

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. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce

Mercedita, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,914

Cost of attendance

13,564

6. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas

Barranquitas, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,479

9. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla

Aguadilla, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,284

10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for data network engineers

The hardest universities for data network engineers to get into are Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for data network engineers 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 network engineers 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. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

2. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for data network engineers

The easiest schools for data network engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and kean university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a data network engineer 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 network engineers.

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. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

4. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

5. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

6. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,107

7. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

8. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

9. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

10. Pennsylvania State University - York

York, PA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,164

Average data network engineer salary by education level

Data network engineers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $108,915 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, data network engineers earn a median annual income of $105,244 compared to $95,645 for data network engineers with an Associate degree.

Data network engineer education level	Data network engineer salary
Master's Degree	$108,915
High School Diploma or Less	$94,468
Bachelor's Degree	$105,244
Some College/ Associate Degree	$95,645

Data network engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Data Network Engineers?

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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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