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Information technology manager/senior systems engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an information technology manager/senior systems engineer. Information technology managers/senior systems engineer usually study electrical engineering, computer science, or business. 79% of information technology managers/senior systems engineer hold a bachelor's degree, and 9% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 51 real information technology manager/senior systems engineer resumes to see exactly what information technology manager/senior systems engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for information technology managers/senior systems engineer are the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

There are also many online information technology manager/senior systems engineer courses to help get the education required to be an information technology manager/senior systems engineer.

What education do you need to become an information technology manager/senior systems engineer?

What degree do you need to be an information technology manager/senior systems engineer?

The most common degree for information technology managers/senior systems engineer is bachelor's degree, with 79% of information technology managers/senior systems engineer earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 9% and master's degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 79%
  • Master's, 9%
  • Associate, 9%
  • Diploma, 3%

What should I major in to become an information technology manager/senior systems engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become an information technology manager/senior systems engineer. 22% of information technology managers/senior systems engineer major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for an information technology manager/senior systems engineer include computer science and business.

Most common colleges for information technology managers/senior systems engineer

Information technology managers/senior systems engineer often get their degrees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Schoolcraft College, and Trine University. Here are the most common colleges for information technology managers/senior systems engineer in the US based on their resumes.
Information technology manager/senior systems engineer common collegePercentages
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill9.09%
Schoolcraft College9.09%
Trine University4.55%
New York University4.55%
Yakima Valley Community College4.55%

Best majors for information technology managers/senior systems engineer

Best colleges for information technology managers/senior systems engineer

The best colleges for information technology managers/senior systems engineer are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

An information technology manager/senior systems engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for information technology managers/senior systems engineer. 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 information technology managers/senior systems engineer.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

4. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

7. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

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 information technology managers/senior systems engineer

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4. Information Technology Essentials

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Introduction to Information Technology and Information Systems...

5. Technology Systems Auditing (Part 1 of 2)

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6. ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Information Security Management System

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Learn how your company can protect its information with an ISMS that meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001...

7. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)

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Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...

8. ISO/IEC 27701:2019. Privacy Information Management System

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9. ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management system

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10. BMS - Building management system

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12. Beginner's Guide to Information Technology

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13. Product Development & Systems Engineering

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14. The Absolute Beginners Guide to Information Technology 2023

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15. Practical Aspects of Information System Audit (For Beginner)

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Practical Aspects of Information System Audit (For Beginners)...

16. ISO 19011:2018. Management system auditor training

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17. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP

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Making Next Gen Information Security Leaders...

18. ISO 50001:2018. Energy management system

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19. Learning Path: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager

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20. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system

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Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...

Top 10 most affordable universities for information technology managers/senior systems engineer

The most affordable schools for information technology managers/senior systems engineer are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - bakersfield, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for information technology managers/senior systems engineer 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 information technology managers/senior systems engineer.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

5. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

9. California State University - Northridge

Northridge, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,893

Cost of attendance

18,870

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 information technology managers/senior systems engineer

The hardest universities for information technology managers/senior systems engineer to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for information technology managers/senior systems engineer 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 information technology managers/senior systems engineer 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

4. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

6. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for information technology managers/senior systems engineer

The easiest schools for information technology managers/senior systems engineer to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, oregon institute of technology, and capitol technology university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an information technology manager/senior systems engineer 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 information technology managers/senior systems engineer.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

3. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

4. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

7. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

8. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

9. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

10. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

Average information technology manager/senior systems engineer salary by education level

Information technology managers/senior systems engineer with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $137,115 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, information technology managers/senior systems engineer earn a median annual income of $132,740 compared to $121,264 for information technology managers/senior systems engineer with an Associate degree.
Information technology manager/senior systems engineer education levelInformation technology manager/senior systems engineer salary
Master's Degree$137,115
High School Diploma or Less$119,852
Bachelor's Degree$132,740
Some College/ Associate Degree$121,264

Information technology manager/senior systems engineer 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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