Linux systems administrator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a linux systems administrator. Linux systems administrators usually study computer science, information technology, or electrical engineering. 70% of linux systems administrators hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 3,819 real linux systems administrator resumes to see exactly what linux systems administrator education sections show.

The most common colleges for linux systems administrators are the University of Maryland - College Park and the University of Maryland - College Park.

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

There are certain linux systems administrator certifications that you should consider. These linux systems administrator certifications include Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) and Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).

What education do you need to become a linux systems administrator?

What degree do you need to be a linux systems administrator?

The most common degree for linux systems administrators is bachelor's degree, with 70% of linux systems administrators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 13% and associate degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 70%

Associate, 13%

Master's, 12%

Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a linux systems administrator?

You should major in computer science to become a linux systems administrator. 33% of linux systems administrators major in computer science. Other common majors for a linux systems administrator include information technology and electrical engineering.

Computer Science, 33%

Information Technology, 12%

Electrical Engineering, 9%

Computer Engineering, 8%

Other Majors, 38%

Most common colleges for linux systems administrators

Linux systems administrators often get their degrees at University of Maryland - College Park, University of Phoenix, and George Mason University. Here are the most common colleges for linux systems administrators in the US based on their resumes.

Linux systems administrator common college	Percentages
University of Maryland - College Park	13.33%
University of Phoenix	10.30%
George Mason University	6.06%
DeVry University	5.45%
Bowie State University	4.85%

Show more common linux systems administrator colleges

Best majors for linux systems administrators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	33.0%
2	Information Technology	12.4%
3	Electrical Engineering	8.6%
4	Computer Engineering	7.6%
5	Business	6.7%

Show more common linux systems administrator majors

Best colleges for linux systems administrators

The best colleges for linux systems administrators are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

A linux 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 linux 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 linux systems administrators.

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 linux systems administrators

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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. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration

4.2

(1,085)

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

3. Advanced Linux System Administration

4.2

(283)

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

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

4.4

(633)

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

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

4.5

(802)

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

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

4.3

(2,195)

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

7. Linux Certified System Admin - SA1 (RHEL7)

4.7

(638)

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

8. AIX Administration for Absolute Beginners: Better than Linux

4.3

(1,425)

Learn IBM AIX System Administration, it's proven to be a far superior OS when compared to LINUX and other UNIX platforms...

9. Complete Red Hat System Administration Boot Camp - RHCSA 9

4.3

(1,432)

Learn Linux and everything you need to pass RHCSA (RHEL 9) EX200 certification exam - Unofficial Red Hat Training...

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

4.6

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

11. Linux Administration +Linux Command Line+Linux Server 3 in 1

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Learn Linux Administration , Linux Command Line, Linux Server admin, Red Hat Linux, Cent OS - Get Linux Certification...

12. Ermin Kreponic's Course for CentOS and Red Hat Linux - RHCSA

4.3

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Learn the basics of Cent OS and Red Hat Linux! Prepare and pass the Red Hat certified system administrator (RHCSA) exam!...

13. Learn Linux administration and linux command line skills

4.5

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Learn Linux administration and Linux command Line skills from scratch. Great for both beginners and Advanced Learners...

14. Linux Foundation Certified Systems Administrator - LFCS

4.6

(789)

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

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

4.7

(528)

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

16. Linux High Availability Clustering on Veritas Cluster Server

4.4

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Veritas Cluster Server (VCS) on Linux Operating Systems. Create Disk Groups, Service Groups and Perform Failover Tests...

17. Linux Administration Bootcamp: Go from Beginner to Advanced

4.5

(25,467)

Learn Red Hat Linux & Cent OS: Use the in-demand skills to start a career as a Linux Server Admin or Linux Administrator!...

18. Linux Administration & Linux Command Line For Beginners

4.5

(3,808)

Learn Linux Administration basics, Linux Command Line basics, Linux essentials, Linux History & Linux basic commands...

19. Linux for Beginners: Linux Basics

4.5

(378)

Linux For Beginners covers Linux basics. You will learn Linux fundamental skills; Command line, Linux Administration...

20. Complete Linux Training with Troubleshooting Skills

4.4

(3,897)

A project-based approach to acquire Linux skills to enhance your career and advance: Over 40 hours with 400+ lectures...

Top 10 most affordable universities for linux systems administrators

The most affordable schools for linux systems administrators 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 linux 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 linux 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. 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 linux systems administrators

The hardest universities for linux systems administrators to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for linux 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 linux 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

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

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

SAT average

1,520

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for linux systems administrators

The easiest schools for linux systems administrators 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 linux 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 linux systems administrators.

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 linux systems administrator salary by education level

According to our data, linux systems administrators with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $91,039 annually. Linux systems administrators with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $88,521.

Linux systems administrator education level	Linux systems administrator salary
Master's Degree	$91,039
High School Diploma or Less	$81,036
Bachelor's Degree	$88,521
Some College/ Associate Degree	$81,861

Linux systems administrator education FAQs

What is the best college for Linux Systems Administrators?

Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.

Search for linux systems administrator jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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