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Network cable installer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a network cable installer. Network cable installers usually study computer information systems, electrical engineering, or information technology. 34% of network cable installers hold a associate degree, and 27% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 248 real network cable installer resumes to see exactly what network cable installer education sections show.

The most common colleges for network cable installers are the Strayer University and the Strayer University.

There are also many online network cable installer courses to help get the education required to be a network cable installer.

What education do you need to become a network cable installer?

What degree do you need to be a network cable installer?

The most common degree for network cable installers is associate degree, with 34% of network cable installers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 27% and bachelor's degree degree at 20%.
  • Associate, 34%
  • Bachelor's, 27%
  • High School Diploma, 20%
  • Diploma, 11%
  • Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a network cable installer?

You should major in computer information systems to become a network cable installer. 17% of network cable installers major in computer information systems. Other common majors for a network cable installer include electrical engineering and information technology.

Most common colleges for network cable installers

Network cable installers often get their degrees at Strayer University, Grambling State University, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for network cable installers in the US based on their resumes.
Network cable installer common collegePercentages
Strayer University12.50%
Grambling State University8.33%
University of Phoenix8.33%
Central Washington University4.17%
Marshall University4.17%

Best majors for network cable installers

Best colleges for network cable installers

The best colleges for network cable installers are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A network cable installer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for network cable installers. 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 network cable installers.

1. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Enrollment

4,169

2. New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,686

Enrollment

11,139

3. Baker College

Owosso, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$9,800

Enrollment

8,319

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

5. National University College - Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$6,675

Enrollment

10,203

6. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

7. Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR • Private

In-state tuition

$8,607

Enrollment

8,623

8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

20 best online courses for network cable installers

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1. Network Installation Fundamentals

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3. Computer Network Cabling: Ethernet Wiring Infrastructure

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4. CCNA and CCNP Real World Labs - Data Centers and Cabling

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A Data Center Tour and the Physical Layer, including Cable Testers and Analyzers by Fluke and Ideal Networks...

5. IT network cabling: The complete fiber optics course

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Demystifying fiber optics, the fastest growing ICT network infrastructure sector one lesson at a time!...

6. Introduction To Fiber Optic Cabling

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Welcome! This course is designed to give you a good understand of fiber optics and fiber data transmission...

7. Introduction To Telecom Networks: Fixed/Wireless Networks

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PSTN, Voice Over IP Systems (Softswitch, IMS), Internet, Mobile/cellular systems, Optical Fiber Systems (OFAN, DWDM)...

8. Optical Fiber Transmission Networks Using DWDM Technology

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All you require to start with DWDM Technology, fundamentals, components: Mux/Demux, ROADMS, Amplifiers, transponders etc...

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10. Data Center Infrastructure Design - An Introduction

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An overview of data center infrastructure design from a structured cabling system designer's perspective...

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15. Computer Network: Networking fundamentals + Wireshark Basics

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Learn Computer Networks fundamentals and Wireshark Basics; Build Strong, Successful Foundation in Computer Networking...

16. Ethical Hacking: Network Security & Network Layer Attack

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17. Computer Network: IT Networking Fundamentals 2016

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Learn Network and Computer Systems and begin a career with a $66,000 annual salary...

18. Artificial Intelligence II - Hands-On Neural Networks (Java)

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Hopfield networks, neural networks, gradient descent and backpropagation algorithms explained step by step...

19. Ethical Hacking: Network Scan Nmap& Nessus Network Security

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Scan networks with vulnerabilities by using Nmap& Nessus. Master Cyber Security, ethical hacking, network hacking skills...

20. Wireless Networking Fundamentals

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Understanding Radio Frequency Signalling for Better Network Design and Implementation...

Top 10 most affordable universities for network cable installers

The most affordable schools for network cable installers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.

If the best universities for network cable installers 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 network cable installers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce

Mercedita, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,914

Cost of attendance

13,564

5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas

Barranquitas, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,479

6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla

Aguadilla, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,284

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

10. National University College - Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$6,675

Cost of attendance

12,941

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for network cable installers

The hardest universities for network cable installers to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for network cable installers 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 network cable installers 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. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

8. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

9. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

10. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for network cable installers

The easiest schools for network cable installers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a network cable installer 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 network cable installers.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

3. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

4. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,107

5. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

6. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

7. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

8. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

9. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

957

10. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,068

Average network cable installer salary by education level

According to our data, network cable installers with a Associate degree earn the highest average salary, at $43,494 annually. Network cable installers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $43,345.
Network cable installer education levelNetwork cable installer salary
High School Diploma or Less$41,578
Bachelor's Degree$43,345
Some College/ Associate Degree$43,494

Network cable installer 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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