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Network computer operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a network computer operator. Network computer operators usually study business, computer science, or computer information systems. 42% of network computer operators hold a bachelor's degree, and 34% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 171 real network computer operator resumes to see exactly what network computer operator education sections show.

The most common colleges for network computer operators are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.

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

What education do you need to become a network computer operator?

What degree do you need to be a network computer operator?

The most common degree for network computer operators is bachelor's degree, with 42% of network computer operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 34% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 42%
  • Associate, 34%
  • High School Diploma, 9%
  • Diploma, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a network computer operator?

You should major in business to become a network computer operator. 17% of network computer operators major in business. Other common majors for a network computer operator include computer science and computer information systems.

Most common colleges for network computer operators

Network computer operators often get their degrees at DeVry University, University of Maryland - College Park, and Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico. Here are the most common colleges for network computer operators in the US based on their resumes.
Network computer operator common collegePercentages
DeVry University11.11%
University of Maryland - College Park11.11%
Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico7.41%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro7.41%
San Diego State University7.41%

Best majors for network computer operators

Best colleges for network computer operators

The best colleges for network computer operators are Johns Hopkins University, Syracuse University, and University of Pittsburgh.

A network computer operator 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 computer operators. 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 computer operators.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

6. University of California, Irvine

Irvine, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,700

Enrollment

29,722

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$53,880

Enrollment

6,590

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

20 best online courses for network computer operators

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2. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems

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5. Fundamentals of Computer Network Security

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6. Intel® Network Academy - Network Transformation 102

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14. Computer Network: IT Networking Fundamentals 2016

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15. Basic Cellular Networks Operator Course

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Top 10 most affordable universities for network computer operators

The most affordable schools for network computer operators are Clayton State University, suny polytechnic institute, and suny stony brook.

If the best universities for network computer operators 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 computer operators.

1. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

2. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

3. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Cost of attendance

24,718

4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas

Barranquitas, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,479

5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla

Aguadilla, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,284

6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce

Mercedita, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,914

Cost of attendance

13,564

7. National University College - Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$6,675

Cost of attendance

12,941

8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

9. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Cost of attendance

19,883

10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Guayama

Guayama, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,893

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for network computer operators

The hardest universities for network computer operators to get into are Johns Hopkins University, Syracuse University, and University of Pittsburgh.

Some great schools for network computer operators 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 computer operators 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. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

2. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

3. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

4. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,326

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,319

9. University of Redlands

Redlands, CA • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,189

10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

Admissions rate

65%

SAT average

1,176

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for network computer operators

The easiest schools for network computer operators to get into are Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, kean university, and lindenwood university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a network computer operator 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 computer operators.

1. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,148

2. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

3. Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,117

4. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

5. Towson University

Towson, MD • Private

Admissions rate

79%

SAT average

1,131

6. University of Redlands

Redlands, CA • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,189

7. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

8. Pace University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

76%

SAT average

1,154

9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

Admissions rate

65%

SAT average

1,176

10. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

Average network computer operator salary by education level

According to our data, network computer operators with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $76,863 annually. Network computer operators with a Doctorate degree earn an average annual salary of $73,922.
Network computer operator education levelNetwork computer operator salary
Master's Degree$76,863
High School Diploma or Less$56,421
Bachelor's Degree$68,630
Doctorate Degree$73,922
Some College/ Associate Degree$56,110

Network computer operator 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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