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Network engineer/project manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a network engineer/project manager. Network engineer/project managers usually study business, computer science, or electrical engineering. 59% of network engineer/project managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 971 real network engineer/project manager resumes to see exactly what network engineer/project manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for network engineer/project managers are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.

There are also many online network engineer/project manager courses to help get the education required to be a network engineer/project manager.

There are certain network engineer/project manager certifications that you should consider. These network engineer/project manager certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Master Project Manager (MPM).

What education do you need to become a network engineer/project manager?

What degree do you need to be a network engineer/project manager?

The most common degree for network engineer/project managers is bachelor's degree, with 59% of network engineer/project managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 21% and associate degree degree at 14%.
  • Bachelor's, 59%
  • Associate, 21%
  • Master's, 14%
  • Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a network engineer/project manager?

You should major in business to become a network engineer/project manager. 20% of network engineer/project managers major in business. Other common majors for a network engineer/project manager include computer science and electrical engineering.

Most common colleges for network engineer/project managers

Network engineer/project managers often get their degrees at DeVry University, University of Phoenix, and University of Maryland - College Park. Here are the most common colleges for network engineer/project managers in the US based on their resumes.
Network engineer/project manager common collegePercentages
DeVry University21.43%
University of Phoenix16.07%
University of Maryland - College Park6.25%
St. Louis5.36%
Lehigh University4.46%

Best majors for network engineer/project managers

Best colleges for network engineer/project managers

The best colleges for network engineer/project managers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A network engineer/project manager 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 engineer/project managers. 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 engineer/project managers.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

7. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,530

Enrollment

4,571

20 best online courses for network engineer/project managers

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1. Cloud-Based Network Design & Management Techniques

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This 2-part eLearning course builds an understanding of modern cloud-network design and management techniques, crystalizing lofty ideas of "cloud" and "edge" so you can embrace the latest industry trends and best-practices. A successful modern network architect requires a keen understanding of business requirements, network components, and the challenges of architecting good solutions. In the 1-hour Aruba Modern Cloud Network Design course you’ll get a high level overview of key network design...

2. Configure and Test Basic Network Connectivity

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Welcome to this guided project about Configuring and Testing Basic Network Connectivity This project is designed for IT security professionals and aspiring network engineers. To succeed in this project, it’s recommended to have a good background in computer networks. A Cisco networking academy ID is also required to use the Packet Tracer in this project. In this project, you will configure and test basic network connectivity by managing configuration on Cisco devices such as IP addresses,...

3. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access

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4. Mastering Modbus TCP/IP Network Communication

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4.8
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5. Akamai Network Engineering

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Are you interested in learning how large global network operations work? Does managing 30% of the internet traffic globally intrigue you? Then the Network Engineering certification is for you. The NOCC is a proactive monitoring and troubleshooting team that monitors and manages globally distributed servers and resolves network bottlenecks in real time. This beginner level certificate is designed to provide you with in-demand skills that range from internet technology fundamentals, networking,...

6. Java Network Programming - TCP/IP Socket Programming

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Learn how to write powerful network applications...

7. Microsoft Networking Fundamentals

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Learn Windows-based networking, network management tools, DNS, TCP/IP, network protocols and much more!...

8. Active Directory on Windows Server

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Learn how to deploy and manage all aspects of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and many more technologies...

9. Python Network Programming - TCP/IP Socket Programming

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Python Networking Programming is simple for beginners, powerful for the pros. Use it to create tools, sockets and more...

10. [Active Directory] Management using Windows PowerShell

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[Power Shell] Simplified practical knowledge for automation & management of [Active Directory] using Windows Power Shell...

11. Networking Essentials

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Gain the essential knowledge and skills required to configure, troubleshoot, manage and protect a data network...

12. Computer Network Cabling: Ethernet Wiring Infrastructure

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The Physical Side of Computer Networking; Wire Ethernet Cables from Scratch and Master the Fundamentals of RJ-45 Ports...

13. GCP - Google Cloud Professional Cloud Network Engineer

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4.4
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Pass Google Cloud Professional Network Certification with 15+ Hours of HD quality video and 90+ Hands-on Practical labs...

14. General Networking - wireless, routers, firewalls, Cisco NAS

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Port forwarding? Dynamic DNS? Home NAS Server? Slow Wireless? Learn how to fix your home nework. Includes 802.11ac!...

15. Microsoft 70-741 - Networking with Windows Server 2016

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Networking with Windows Server 2016 MCSA Training Course...

16. Design & Deploy an Enterprise WiFi Network

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Design, Deploy, & Maintain a Wi Fi Network for any industry and any building type...

17. TCP/IP Training Video A Definitive & Easy To Follow Course

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4.3
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Essential TCP/IP Training Course For Professionals Who Manages Servers, Networks Or Any Other Network Connected Device...

18. Fundamentals of Network Engineering

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Understanding the first principles of networking to build low latency and high throughput backends...

19. Networking Concepts with Socket Programming - Academic Level

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Networking course with socket programming concepts in depth with TCP/UDP/HTTP Socket Programming for beginners to expert...

20. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security!

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Volume 2 : Network Security, Wi Fi Security, Wi Fi Hackers, Firewalls, Wireshark, Secure Networking. + Password Managers...

Top 10 most affordable universities for network engineer/project managers

The most affordable schools for network engineer/project managers are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for network engineer/project managers 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 engineer/project managers.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

10. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for network engineer/project managers

The hardest universities for network engineer/project managers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for network engineer/project managers 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 engineer/project managers 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,415

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for network engineer/project managers

The easiest schools for network engineer/project managers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, barry university, and nyack college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a network engineer/project manager 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 engineer/project managers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

4. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

10. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

Average network engineer/project manager salary by education level

Network engineer/project managers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $116,650 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, network engineer/project managers earn a median annual income of $113,271 compared to $104,357 for network engineer/project managers with an Associate degree.
Network engineer/project manager education levelNetwork engineer/project manager salary
Master's Degree$116,650
High School Diploma or Less$103,255
Bachelor's Degree$113,271
Some College/ Associate Degree$104,357

Network engineer/project manager 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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