Post job

Enterprise systems administrator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an enterprise systems administrator. Enterprise systems administrators usually study business, computer information systems, or information technology. 58% of enterprise systems administrators hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 654 real enterprise systems administrator resumes to see exactly what enterprise systems administrator education sections show.

The most common colleges for enterprise systems administrators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online enterprise systems administrator courses to help get the education required to be an enterprise systems administrator.

There are certain enterprise systems administrator certifications that you should consider. These enterprise systems administrator certifications include IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).

What education do you need to become an enterprise systems administrator?

What degree do you need to be an enterprise systems administrator?

The most common degree for enterprise systems administrators is bachelor's degree, with 58% of enterprise systems administrators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 27% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 58%
  • Associate, 27%
  • Master's, 9%
  • Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become an enterprise systems administrator?

You should major in business to become an enterprise systems administrator. 20% of enterprise systems administrators major in business. Other common majors for an enterprise systems administrator include computer information systems and information technology.

Most common colleges for enterprise systems administrators

Enterprise systems administrators often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, DeVry University, and Pennsylvania State University. Here are the most common colleges for enterprise systems administrators in the US based on their resumes.
Enterprise systems administrator common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix15.49%
DeVry University14.08%
Pennsylvania State University8.45%
San Jose State University5.63%
Strayer University5.63%

Best majors for enterprise systems administrators

Best colleges for enterprise systems administrators

The best colleges for enterprise systems administrators are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

An enterprise systems administrator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for enterprise systems administrators. 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 enterprise systems administrators.

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 enterprise systems administrators

Advertising disclosure

1. System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services

coursera

This course will transition you from working on a single computer to an entire fleet. Systems administration is the field of IT that’s responsible for maintaining reliable computers systems in a multi-user environment. In this course, you’ll learn about the infrastructure services that keep all organizations, big and small, up and running. We’ll deep dive on cloud so that you’ll understand everything from typical cloud infrastructure setups to how to manage cloud resources. You'll also learn...

2. Essential Tools for Windows System Administrators

udemy
4.2
(325)

[Windows] [System Administration] Learn Windows Builtin Tools & Open Source Tools for Efficient System Administration...

3. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration

udemy
4.2
(1,085)

Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...

4. Advanced Linux System Administration

udemy
4.2
(283)

This course will teach you everything you need to know to be an Advanced system administrator...

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

udemy
4.2
(1,443)

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

6. Beginning Windows System Administration

udemy
4.3
(484)

Get what you need to know to start your career in being a System Administrator...

7. Linux Redhat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA - EX200)

udemy
4.6
(3,969)

Best match for those who want to become Red Hat certified system administrator (RHCSA) in shortest amount of time...

8. Linux Foundation Certified Systems Administrator - LFCS

udemy
4.6
(789)

Prepare for the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) Exam...

9. Windows Server 2019 Administration

udemy
4.6
(7,325)

Learn Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, Storage, Backup, Azure integration and More...

10. PowerShell for Active Directory Administrators

udemy
4.5
(5,027)

Use Power Shell to manage Active Directory users, computer, groups, security settings and more on Windows Server...

11. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access

udemy
4.7
(4,916)

Training For Beginners - Become a Network Administrator in Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with Remote Server Access!...

12. Administration of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (2023)

udemy
4.4
(633)

Get skills needed for RHCA/RHCE. Gain sufficient skill to perform system administration tasks on Red Hat Linux in 2023...

13. Windows Server 2012 System Administration: Get an IT Job!

udemy
4.6
(6,275)

Learn Systems Administration! The easiest way to stack your resume & get a high paying IT Job - Step-by-step guide!...

14. Domain Name System (DNS) Administration- Windows Server 2016

udemy
4.1
(523)

DNS Server installation and domain name / zone setup on Windows Server 2016 using the Server Manager & DNS MMC Consoles...

15. Complete Windows Server Administration Course

udemy
4.5
(3,749)

Installation and configuration of Domain Controller, Active Directory, DNS, Web Server (IIS), Group Policy, WSUS and more...

16. Linux Redhat System Administration I - SA1 (RHEL8)

udemy
4.3
(2,195)

Prepare for first level of Linux Exam and gain sufficient skill to perform core system administration tasks...

17. Linux Certified System Admin - SA1 (RHEL7)

udemy
4.7
(638)

Prepare for Linux Exam and gain sufficient skill to perform core system administration tasks...

18. Apple macOS and iOS System Administration 2019

udemy
4.6
(1,070)

Manage different. Learn to install, configure, and automate the maintenance of hundreds of mac OS and i OS devices...

19. Linux Redhat System Administration II - SA2 (RHEL8)

udemy
4.5
(802)

Key tasks needed to become a full time Linux Administrator and to validate those skills via the Linux Certified System...

20. Linux Administration: Build 5 Hands-On Linux Projects 2023

udemy
4.7
(528)

Learn Linux by Doing with 5 Projects: Docker, Secure Linux, Run Web and DNS Servers, Run a Mail System, Automate Linux...

Top 10 most affordable universities for enterprise systems administrators

The most affordable schools for enterprise systems administrators are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for enterprise systems administrators 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 enterprise systems administrators.

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 enterprise systems administrators

The hardest universities for enterprise systems administrators to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for enterprise systems administrators 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 enterprise systems administrators 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

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

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 enterprise systems administrators

The easiest schools for enterprise systems administrators 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 an enterprise systems administrator 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 enterprise systems administrators.

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 enterprise systems administrator salary by education level

According to our data, enterprise systems administrators with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $100,492 annually. Enterprise systems administrators with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $96,867.
Enterprise systems administrator education levelEnterprise systems administrator salary
Master's Degree$100,492
High School Diploma or Less$86,281
Bachelor's Degree$96,867
Some College/ Associate Degree$87,433

Enterprise systems administrator education FAQs

Search for enterprise systems administrator jobs

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.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs