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Desktop support contractor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a desktop support contractor. Desktop support contractors usually study computer information systems, computer science, or information technology. 51% of desktop support contractors hold a bachelor's degree, and 38% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 497 real desktop support contractor resumes to see exactly what desktop support contractor education sections show.

The most common colleges for desktop support contractors are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.

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

What education do you need to become a desktop support contractor?

What degree do you need to be a desktop support contractor?

The most common degree for desktop support contractors is bachelor's degree, with 51% of desktop support contractors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 38% and associate degree degree at 4%.
  • Bachelor's, 51%
  • Associate, 38%
  • Master's, 4%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a desktop support contractor?

You should major in computer information systems to become a desktop support contractor. 20% of desktop support contractors major in computer information systems. Other common majors for a desktop support contractor include computer science and information technology.

Most common colleges for desktop support contractors

Desktop support contractors often get their degrees at DeVry University, University of Phoenix, and Kean University. Here are the most common colleges for desktop support contractors in the US based on their resumes.
Desktop support contractor common collegePercentages
DeVry University18.75%
University of Phoenix8.33%
Kean University6.25%
Pittsburgh Technical College4.17%
Central Connecticut State University4.17%

Best majors for desktop support contractors

Best colleges for desktop support contractors

The best colleges for desktop support contractors are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Southern California, and Johns Hopkins University.

A desktop support contractor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for desktop support contractors. 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 desktop support contractors.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

5. Stevens Institute of Technology

Hoboken, NJ • Private

In-state tuition

$52,202

Enrollment

3,420

6. New Jersey Institute of Technology

Newark, NJ • Private

In-state tuition

$17,338

Enrollment

7,820

7. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,230

Enrollment

12,161

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

9. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

10. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$19,080

Enrollment

19,127

20 best online courses for desktop support contractors

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

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Top 10 most affordable universities for desktop support contractors

The most affordable schools for desktop support contractors are Brigham Young University, clayton state university, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for desktop support contractors 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 desktop support contractors.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

5. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

6. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

7. Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$7,879

Cost of attendance

21,223

8. California State University - East Bay

Hayward, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,983

Cost of attendance

21,371

9. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce

Mercedita, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,914

Cost of attendance

13,564

10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for desktop support contractors

The hardest universities for desktop support contractors to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Southern California, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for desktop support contractors 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 desktop support contractors 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 Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

7. Stevens Institute of Technology

Hoboken, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,412

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

10. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for desktop support contractors

The easiest schools for desktop support contractors to get into are Capitol Technology University, linfield college, and nyack college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a desktop support contractor 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 desktop support contractors.

1. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

2. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

3. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

4. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,148

5. Washington Adventist Hospital

Takoma Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

958

6. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

7. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

8. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

9. Illinois State University

Normal, IL • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,122

10. Saint Thomas University

Miami Gardens, FL • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

1,031

Average desktop support contractor salary by education level

Desktop support contractors with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $55,173 annually. With a Doctorate degree, desktop support contractors earn a median annual income of $52,106 compared to $46,427 for desktop support contractors with an Bachelor's degree.
Desktop support contractor education levelDesktop support contractor salary
Master's Degree$55,173
High School Diploma or Less$40,530
Bachelor's Degree$46,427
Doctorate Degree$52,106
Some College/ Associate Degree$41,624

Desktop support contractor education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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