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Hardware support technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a hardware support technician. Hardware support technicians usually study computer science, computer information systems, or information technology. 46% of hardware support technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 37% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 614 real hardware support technician resumes to see exactly what hardware support technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for hardware support technicians are the Strayer University and the Strayer University.
There are also many online hardware support technician courses to help get the education required to be a hardware support technician.
What education do you need to become a hardware support technician?
What degree do you need to be a hardware support technician?
- Bachelor's, 46%
- Associate, 37%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Master's, 4%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become a hardware support technician?
- Computer Science, 18%
- Business, 10%
- Other Majors, 46%
Most common colleges for hardware support technicians
| Hardware support technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Strayer University | 9.43% |
| DeVry University | 9.43% |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 7.55% |
| University of Wisconsin Colleges | 5.66% |
| Ashford University | 5.66% |
Best majors for hardware support technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 17.6% |
| 2 | Computer Information Systems | 14.8% |
| 3 | Information Technology | 10.7% |
| 4 | Business | 10.0% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering | 10.0% |
Best colleges for hardware support technicians
The best colleges for hardware support technicians are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A hardware 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 hardware 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 hardware 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. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
7. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
10. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,530
Enrollment
4,571
20 best online courses for hardware support technicians
Advertising disclosure
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This course provides foundational understanding of how computers process information through hardware and software. You will investigate the world of Information Technology (IT) and survey hardware components, mobile devices, operating systems, programs and apps, network fundamentals, the Internet, and touch on security and ethics...
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3. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking
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Basic computer course with troubleshooting skills -computer hardware and computer networking, for IT support technicians...
5. 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...
6. IBM IT Support
Prepare for an in-demand career in Information Technology (IT). In this program, you’ll develop a strong foundation in IT fundamentals, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing to get job-ready in as little as 3 months, with no prior experience or degree needed to get started.\n\nAlmost every organization, business, or individual relies on technology. A career in IT Support is about providing technological assistance to better optimize organizational efficiency. This can include...
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11. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support
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12. IT Support Technical Skills Helpdesk
Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Learners...
13. Advanced IT Troubleshooting for Helpdesk Support Technicians
Learn some of the less common IT troubleshooting techniques for Windows computers...
14. IT & Technical Support Guide to Helpdesk, Desktop & Servers
Learn how the different levels of IT technical support work, from service desk to infrastructure and server support...
15. Active Directory & Group Policy Administration for IT Techs
Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...
16. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access
Training For Beginners - Become a Network Administrator in Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with Remote Server Access!...
17. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
18. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience
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19. Remote Desktop Services Windows Server 2016
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20. IT Support/HelpDesk Fundamentals - 9 Topics in one course!
Master the skills and attributes sought after by employers for IT Help Desk, IT Support, and IT Technician positions...
Top 10 most affordable universities for hardware support technicians
The most affordable schools for hardware support technicians are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for hardware 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 hardware support technicians.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
8. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
10. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for hardware support technicians
The hardest universities for hardware support technicians to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for hardware 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 hardware 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
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. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,415
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
10. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for hardware support technicians
The easiest schools for hardware support technicians to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, barry university, and nyack college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a hardware 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 hardware support technicians.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
4. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
7. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
8. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
9. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
10. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
Average hardware support technician salary by education level
| Hardware support technician education level | Hardware support technician salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $48,877 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $39,553 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $43,417 |
| Doctorate Degree | $46,995 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $40,282 |
Hardware support technician education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025