Desk support technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a desk support technician. Desk support technicians usually study business, information technology, or computer science. 48% of desk support technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 33% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,317 real desk support technician resumes to see exactly what desk support technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for desk support technicians are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online desk support technician courses to help get the education required to be a desk support technician.

What education do you need to become a desk support technician?

What degree do you need to be a desk support technician?

The most common degree for desk support technicians is bachelor's degree, with 48% of desk support technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 33% and associate degree degree at 7%.

Bachelor's, 48%

Associate, 33%

High School Diploma, 7%

Diploma, 5%

Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a desk support technician?

You should major in business to become a desk support technician. 14% of desk support technicians major in business. Other common majors for a desk support technician include information technology and computer science.

Business, 14%

Information Technology, 14%

Computer Science, 12%

Computer Information Systems, 12%

Other Majors, 48%

Most common colleges for desk support technicians

Desk support technicians often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, DeVry University, and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Here are the most common colleges for desk support technicians in the US based on their resumes.

Desk support technician common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	24.83%
DeVry University	16.55%
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey	5.52%
Strayer University	4.83%
Colorado Technical University	4.14%

Show more common desk support technician colleges

Best majors for desk support technicians

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	14.4%
2	Information Technology	13.8%
3	Computer Science	12.3%
4	Computer Information Systems	11.9%
5	Computer Networking	9.6%

Show more common desk support technician majors

Best colleges for desk support technicians

The best colleges for desk support technicians are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A desk support 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 desk support 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 desk support technicians.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$13,478

Enrollment

979

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

20 best online courses for desk support technicians

Advertising disclosure

1. Introduction to Technical Support

Technical Support professionals are in great demand! This is the first course in the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate program, designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in technical support. You will begin this self-paced course by learning what Informational Technology (IT) support is all about. You'll find out the roles and responsibilities of Technical Support professionals and become familiar with all the different career paths you can take in Technical Support. You will also...

2. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support

(409)

Learn the basic fundamentals of computer networking & OSI model for desktop support and IT service desk technicians...

3. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting

4.2

(1,443)

Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk , Helpdesk , IT Support , System Administration and IT...

4. IT/Desktop Computer Support- Troubleshooting for Technicians

4.2

(306)

Learn how to troubleshoot desktop computer issues as an IT Support Technician on real-world organisational networks...

5. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp

4.5

(1,653)

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

6. Basic Computer Course - Windows 7/10 - IT & Desktop Support

4.7

(1,213)

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

7. IT Help Desk for Beginners

4.4

(395)

The essentials to become an IT Help Desk Technician...

8. IT Support Technical Skills Helpdesk

4.7

(1,561)

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

9. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

4.1

(314)

For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...

10. Service Desk Analyst Crash course for beginners.

4.2

(439)

Get Hands-On Experience for following JOB roles - Service Desk Analyst IT Help Desk Professional L1 IT Support GSD...

11. Learning IT Help Desk Basics

4.3

(583)

Get the skills you need to pursue an entry-level position as an IT help desk technician...

12. Advanced IT Troubleshooting for Helpdesk Support Technicians

4.2

(1,080)

Learn some of the less common IT troubleshooting techniques for Windows computers...

13. Help Desk Analyst

4.2

(346)

Boost your career with this course, pass the e-Learning course, and achieve your Help Desk Analyst certificate...

14. IT service operations and Service Desk management

4.4

(2,841)

Improve Service Desk and IT support processes and service functions. Better preparation for the professional exam...

15. ComputerCavalry: IT Help Desk Training for IT Professionals!

4.5

(349)

Help Desk Training for IT Professionals is a 10 lecture course that provides valuable work experience to beginners in IT...

16. IT & Technical Support Guide to Helpdesk, Desktop & Servers

4.2

(1,138)

Learn how the different levels of IT technical support work, from service desk to infrastructure and server support...

17. IT Support and Service Desk jobs -Crash Course for Beginners

4.6

(787)

Let me help you land your first job in IT. Learn about different roles, procedures, tools, and applications - Part 1...

18. Active Directory & Group Policy Administration for IT Techs

4.5

(651)

Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...

19. Learning IT Help Desk for Beginners

4.6

(919)

Must know skills for Helpdesk and Service Desk Professionals!!...

20. IT Help Desk Professional

4.5

(7,538)

Get Hands-On Experience on Helpdesk Skills, Learn, Master & Troubleshoot All What It Takes To Get You a Job...

Top 10 most affordable universities for desk support technicians

The most affordable schools for desk support technicians are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for desk support 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 desk support technicians.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Cost of attendance

22,990

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for desk support technicians

The hardest universities for desk support technicians to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for desk support 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 desk support 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

31%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for desk support technicians

The easiest schools for desk support technicians to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a desk support 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 desk support technicians.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

8. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average desk support technician salary by education level

Desk support technicians with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $52,065 annually. With a Doctorate degree, desk support technicians earn a median annual income of $48,934 compared to $43,179 for desk support technicians with an Bachelor's degree.

Desk support technician education level	Desk support technician salary
Master's Degree	$52,065
High School Diploma or Less	$37,266
Bachelor's Degree	$43,179
Doctorate Degree	$48,934
Some College/ Associate Degree	$38,358

Desk support technician education FAQs

What is the best college for Desk Support Technicians?

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

Search for desk support technician 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

Browse computer and mathematical jobs