Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Junior systems administrator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a junior systems administrator. Junior systems administrators usually study computer science, information technology, or computer information systems. 58% of junior systems administrators hold a bachelor's degree, and 28% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,453 real junior systems administrator resumes to see exactly what junior systems administrator education sections show.
The most common colleges for junior systems administrators are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.
There are also many online junior systems administrator courses to help get the education required to be a junior systems administrator.
There are certain junior systems administrator certifications that you should consider. These junior systems administrator certifications include Certified Network Computer Technician (CNCT) and Certified System Administrator (CSA).
What education do you need to become a junior systems administrator?
What degree do you need to be a junior systems administrator?
- Bachelor's, 58%
- Associate, 28%
- Master's, 5%
- Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a junior systems administrator?
- Computer Science, 21%
- Business, 9%
- Other Majors, 40%
Most common colleges for junior systems administrators
| Junior systems administrator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| DeVry University | 14.49% |
| University of Phoenix | 9.81% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 7.01% |
| George Mason University | 7.01% |
| City College of New York of the City University of New York, The | 4.67% |
Best majors for junior systems administrators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 20.8% |
| 2 | Information Technology | 15.7% |
| 3 | Computer Information Systems | 14.3% |
| 4 | Business | 9.0% |
| 5 | Computer Networking | 8.6% |
Best colleges for junior systems administrators
The best colleges for junior systems administrators are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanford University.
A junior 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 junior 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 junior systems administrators.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,700
Enrollment
29,722
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$9,101
Enrollment
23,708
8. Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ • Private
In-state tuition
$52,202
Enrollment
3,420
9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
10. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$53,880
Enrollment
6,590
20 best online courses for junior systems administrators
Advertising disclosure
1. Linux System Administration with IBM Power Systems
This course introduces administrative tasks that a system administrator can perform with Linux hosted on IBM Power servers. This includes virtualization concepts such as logical partitioning, installation of Linux, command-line operations, and more interesting administration and device management tasks. This course includes hands-on exercises with systems from an IBM data center...
2. Essential Tools for Windows System Administrators
[Windows] [System Administration] Learn Windows Builtin Tools & Open Source Tools for Efficient System Administration...
3. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting
Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk , Helpdesk , IT Support , System Administration and IT...
4. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration
Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...
5. Advanced Linux System Administration
This course will teach you everything you need to know to be an Advanced system administrator...
6. Windows Server 2019 Administration
Learn Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, Storage, Backup, Azure integration and More...
7. Complete Windows Server Administration Course
Installation and configuration of Domain Controller, Active Directory, DNS, Web Server (IIS), Group Policy, WSUS and more...
8. Windows 10 System Administration & Basic Computer Skills
Learn the basics of system administration for the Windows 10 operating system, as well as some basic computer skills...
9. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking
For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...
10. Linux Redhat System Administration I - SA1 (RHEL8)
Prepare for first level of Linux Exam and gain sufficient skill to perform core system administration tasks...
11. PowerShell for Active Directory Administrators
Use Power Shell to manage Active Directory users, computer, groups, security settings and more on Windows Server...
12. Beginning Windows System Administration
Get what you need to know to start your career in being a System Administrator...
13. Windows Server 2012 System Administration: Get an IT Job!
Learn Systems Administration! The easiest way to stack your resume & get a high paying IT Job - Step-by-step guide!...
14. Linux Foundation Certified Systems Administrator - LFCS
Prepare for the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) Exam...
15. Linux Administration +Linux Command Line+Linux Server 3 in 1
Learn Linux Administration , Linux Command Line, Linux Server admin, Red Hat Linux, Cent OS - Get Linux Certification...
16. Active Directory & Group Policy Administration for IT Techs
Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...
17. Domain Name System (DNS) Administration- Windows Server 2016
DNS Server installation and domain name / zone setup on Windows Server 2016 using the Server Manager & DNS MMC Consoles...
18. Introduction to Windows Server 2016 for Beginners
Learn Windows Server 2016: Active Directory, DHCP, DNS, IIS, Group Policy, RDP, WSUS, FSRM, Power Shell, and Much More!...
19. Apple macOS and iOS System Administration 2019
Manage different. Learn to install, configure, and automate the maintenance of hundreds of mac OS and i OS devices...
20. Linux Redhat System Administration II - SA2 (RHEL8)
Key tasks needed to become a full time Linux Administrator and to validate those skills via the Linux Certified System...
Top 10 most affordable universities for junior systems administrators
The most affordable schools for junior systems administrators are Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, hunter college of the city university of new york, and clayton state university.
If the best universities for junior 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 junior systems administrators.
1. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State University - East Bay
Hayward, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,983
Cost of attendance
21,371
6. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Cost of attendance
13,564
8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
9. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas
Barranquitas, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,479
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for junior systems administrators
The hardest universities for junior systems administrators to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for junior 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 junior 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,412
10. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,415
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for junior systems administrators
The easiest schools for junior systems administrators to get into are Saint Martin's University, nyack college, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a junior 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 junior systems administrators.
1. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
2. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
4. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
5. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
6. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, MN • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,148
9. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
10. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
Average junior systems administrator salary by education level
| Junior systems administrator education level | Junior systems administrator salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $66,436 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $61,157 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $65,124 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $61,599 |
Junior systems administrator education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
Search for junior systems administrator jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025