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Lead information technology engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a lead information technology engineer. Lead information technology engineers usually study computer science, information technology, or business. 65% of lead information technology engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 238 real lead information technology engineer resumes to see exactly what lead information technology engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for lead information technology engineers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online lead information technology engineer courses to help get the education required to be a lead information technology engineer.

There are certain lead information technology engineer certifications that you should consider. These lead information technology engineer certifications include IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP).

What education do you need to become a lead information technology engineer?

What degree do you need to be a lead information technology engineer?

The most common degree for lead information technology engineers is bachelor's degree, with 65% of lead information technology engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 16% and associate degree degree at 13%.
  • Bachelor's, 65%
  • Associate, 16%
  • Master's, 13%
  • Diploma, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a lead information technology engineer?

You should major in computer science to become a lead information technology engineer. 22% of lead information technology engineers major in computer science. Other common majors for a lead information technology engineer include information technology and business.

Most common colleges for lead information technology engineers

Lead information technology engineers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Pennsylvania State University, and Regis University. Here are the most common colleges for lead information technology engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Lead information technology engineer common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix13.64%
Pennsylvania State University11.36%
Regis University6.82%
Stephen F Austin State University6.82%
DeVry University6.82%

Best majors for lead information technology engineers

Best colleges for lead information technology engineers

The best colleges for lead information technology engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

A lead information technology 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 lead information technology engineers. 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 lead information technology engineers.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

6. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

8. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

9. Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH • Private

In-state tuition

$55,453

Enrollment

4,312

10. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

20 best online courses for lead information technology engineers

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1. Computer Hardware and Software

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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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In today’s connected world, core knowledge of IT hardware, software, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies is vital for almost every function, or role within an organization. Adding storage, updating an operating system, connecting to a network, recognizing phishing, and setting up Cloud instances are some of the skills employees need or need help with. This five-course specialization provides prerequisite skills for almost all IT careers, including technical support specialist,...

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4. Beginner's Guide to Information Technology

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4.5
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Learn the basics of Information Technology and Computer Engineering...

5. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems

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Get ready to enter the thriving field of Information Technology (IT), with job ready skills! This beginner friendly course provides the core hardware and operating system knowledge needed by anyone new to IT and computer hardware who wants to start a new career in technology, including IT Support, Networking, Cybersecurity, and Software Development. You will first be introduced to computing fundamentals, the four functions of computing, and the benefits of computing. You will become...

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Introduction to Information Technology and Information Systems...

7. Active Directory on Windows Server

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8. Basic Computer Course - Windows 7/10 - IT & Desktop Support

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9. [Active Directory] Management using Windows PowerShell

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Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...

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

14. The Absolute Beginners Guide to Information Technology 2023

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Gain a solid foundation knowledge of all 4 main branches of Information Technology...

15. Veeam Backup & Replication Course Zero to Mastery

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Take Backup & Restore from v Sphere & Hyper-V Replication & Disaster Recovery Secure Backup Data Upto V12...

16. TOTAL: Active Directory with Windows Server 2016

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Identity, Access, and Authentication with Microsoft AD and Identity with Windows Server 2016...

17. Certificate Program In Management Information Systems

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Learn about the exciting world of Management Information Systems and its impact on the way organisations now function...

18. Active Directory & Group Policy Administration for IT Techs

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Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...

19. Software Engineering 101: Plan and Execute Better Software.

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Software Engineering 101: Use Software Engineering to Plan and Build Amazing Software + Learn SCRUM Framework!...

20. Active Directory and Windows Server 40+ Hour with Labs

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Domain Controllers (DC), Global Catalog, FSMO, Groups, Users, Security, Domains and Forests ,Trusts, GPO, much more....

Top 10 most affordable universities for lead information technology engineers

The most affordable schools for lead information technology engineers are Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, brigham young university, and hunter college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for lead information technology engineers 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 lead information technology engineers.

1. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

2. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

3. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

4. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

5. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

6. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

7. Brigham Young University - Hawaii

Laie, HI • Private

In-state tuition

$5,560

Cost of attendance

18,043

8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo

Arecibo, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,872

Cost of attendance

13,476

9. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce

Mercedita, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,914

Cost of attendance

13,564

10. Trident University International

Cypress, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,240

Cost of attendance

17,912

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for lead information technology engineers

The hardest universities for lead information technology engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for lead information technology engineers 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 lead information technology engineers 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. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

4. Amherst College

Amherst, MA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,449

5. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

6. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

7. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

8. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

10. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for lead information technology engineers

The easiest schools for lead information technology engineers to get into are Nyack College, saint martin's university, and oklahoma wesleyan university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a lead information technology 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 lead information technology engineers.

1. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

2. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

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. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

8. Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

74%

SAT average

1,061

9. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,148

10. Longwood University

Farmville, VA • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,065

Average lead information technology engineer salary by education level

Lead information technology engineers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $132,848 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, lead information technology engineers earn a median annual income of $129,061 compared to $119,059 for lead information technology engineers with an Associate degree.
Lead information technology engineer education levelLead information technology engineer salary
Master's Degree$132,848
High School Diploma or Less$117,822
Bachelor's Degree$129,061
Some College/ Associate Degree$119,059

Lead information technology 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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