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Director of network engineering education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a director of network engineering. Directors of network engineering usually study electrical engineering, computer science, or business. 72% of directors of network engineering hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 330 real director of network engineering resumes to see exactly what director of network engineering education sections show.
The most common colleges for directors of network engineering are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online director of network engineering courses to help get the education required to be a director of network engineering.
What education do you need to become a director of network engineering?
What degree do you need to be a director of network engineering?
- Bachelor's, 72%
- Master's, 13%
- Associate, 10%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a director of network engineering?
- Computer Science, 15%
- Business, 14%
- Other Majors, 43%
Most common colleges for directors of network engineering
| Director of network engineering common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 16.95% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 10.17% |
| George Washington University, The | 8.47% |
| DeVry University | 6.78% |
| University of Colorado at Colorado Springs | 5.08% |
Best majors for directors of network engineering
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 22.4% |
| 2 | Computer Science | 15.2% |
| 3 | Business | 13.8% |
| 4 | Information Technology | 5.7% |
| 5 | Computer Information Systems | 4.3% |
Best colleges for directors of network engineering
The best colleges for directors of network engineering are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
A director of network engineering with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for directors of network engineering. 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 directors of network engineering.
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. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
8. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
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 directors of network engineering
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1. Network Installation Fundamentals
This online course, Network Installation Fundamentals, is your steppingstone to a rewarding career in network technology. By the end of this course, you will be able to understand basic network client management, explain the role of network connection media, and describe the role of virtualization in enterprise networking. Perfect for beginners with no experience, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to network installation, one of the most in-demand skills in the networking field...
2. Ansible for Network Automation
This course will train you on the fundamentals of Ansible, an open-source, extensible configuration management tool that streamlines infrastructure management in modern networking environments. You will also learn about Jinja2, a templating language that expands flexibility in automation tasks. Upon completing this course, you will have an essential understanding of Ansible and its application to network automation, enabling you to effectively automate network tasks and improve network...
3. Fundamentals of Network Engineering
Understanding the first principles of networking to build low latency and high throughput backends...
4. Ethical Hacking: Network Security & Network Layer Attack
Learn Ethical Hacking with Network Security, Sniffing, Subnetting, Networking, Password Cracking & implement Mit M attack...
5. Networking and Security Architecture with VMware NSX
This 8 week online course equips learners with the basics of network virtualization with VMware NSX. To get the most of this course, you should have familiarity with generic IT concepts of routing, switching, firewalling, disaster recovery, business continuity, cloud and security. At the end of the course, you will be able to: • Understand network virtualization basics • Describe NSX business value and use cases • Explain how NSX is different from traditional networking • Summarize networking...
6. Intel® Network Academy - Network Transformation 102
Welcome to the Intel® Network Academy – a comprehensive training program on network transformation. In this program, we will be covering the topic areas of software defined infrastructure (SDI) network functions virtualization (NFV), software-defined networking (SDN) and beyond. Network Transformation 102 covers topics such as VNF Operations & Development, Cryptography, and Hyperscan technology, students will dive into the benefits of Intel hardware and software and explore how to accelerate...
7. Basic Cellular Networks Operator Course
Basic Fundamentals of Cellular Network Operations...
8. Python Network Programming for Network Engineers (Python 3)
Program networks using Python version 3. Learn network programmability with this practical GNS3 and Cisco course...
9. Cloud-Based Network Design & Management Techniques
This 2-part eLearning course builds an understanding of modern cloud-network design and management techniques, crystalizing lofty ideas of "cloud" and "edge" so you can embrace the latest industry trends and best-practices. A successful modern network architect requires a keen understanding of business requirements, network components, and the challenges of architecting good solutions. In the 1-hour Aruba Modern Cloud Network Design course you’ll get a high level overview of key network design...
10. Intel® Network Academy - Network Transformation 101
Welcome to the Intel® Network Academy – a comprehensive training program on network transformation. In this program, we will be covering the topic areas of software defined infrastructure (SDI) network functions virtualization (NFV), software-defined networking (SDN) and beyond. The Network Academy includes a broad collection of online content and technical training aimed to assist technical professionals in the network industry to improve their knowledge of key Intel® technologies, industry...
11. Computer Network: IT Networking Fundamentals 2016
Learn Network and Computer Systems and begin a career with a $66,000 annual salary...
12. Microsoft Networking Fundamentals
Learn Windows-based networking, network management tools, DNS, TCP/IP, network protocols and much more!...
13. Using APIs for Network Automation
This course will provide a solid foundation for understanding how APIs are utilized in network automation by discussing important topics such as data encoding formats, REST APIs, and the Python Requests library. Upon completion of the course, you will be equipped with the necessary skills to utilize APIs in your network automation solution and be able to describe the usefulness of APIs in this context. This course is primarily intended for network engineers, systems engineers, network...
14. Learn the Fundamentals of Networking
Networking is perhaps the most important and useful area of computing to learn when looking for an IT career...
15. Computer Network: Networking fundamentals + Wireshark Basics
Learn Computer Networks fundamentals and Wireshark Basics; Build Strong, Successful Foundation in Computer Networking...
16. Networking Essentials
Gain the essential knowledge and skills required to configure, troubleshoot, manage and protect a data network...
17. IT Networking Fundamentals For Complete Beginners
Understand all the IT Networking Fundamentals and learn how the computer network functions...
18. Linux for Network Engineers: Practical Linux with GNS3
Linux for Networking Engineers (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE etc). Practical Linux with GNS3 = network programmability & automation...
19. Ethical Hacking: Network Scan Nmap& Nessus Network Security
Scan networks with vulnerabilities by using Nmap& Nessus. Master Cyber Security, ethical hacking, network hacking skills...
20. Computer Networking Fundamentals
Learn all about the basics of computer networking fundamental concepts and network security concepts...
Top 10 most affordable universities for directors of network engineering
The most affordable schools for directors of network engineering are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - los angeles, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for directors of network engineering 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 directors of network engineering.
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. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
6. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
8. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
10. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for directors of network engineering
The hardest universities for directors of network engineering to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for directors of network engineering 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 directors of network engineering 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
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
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. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
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 directors of network engineering
The easiest schools for directors of network engineering to get into are Capitol Technology University, barry university, and ottawa university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a director of network engineering 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 directors of network engineering.
1. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
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. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
6. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
7. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
8. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
9. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
10. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
Average director of network engineering salary by education level
| Director of network engineering education level | Director of network engineering salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $155,424 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $145,460 |
| Doctorate Degree | $158,718 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $120,942 |
Director of network engineering education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025