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Network infrastructure manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a network infrastructure manager. Network infrastructure managers usually study computer science, business, or information technology. 61% of network infrastructure managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 275 real network infrastructure manager resumes to see exactly what network infrastructure manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for network infrastructure managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online network infrastructure manager courses to help get the education required to be a network infrastructure manager.
There are certain network infrastructure manager certifications that you should consider. These network infrastructure manager certifications include Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP) and IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL).
What education do you need to become a network infrastructure manager?
What degree do you need to be a network infrastructure manager?
- Bachelor's, 61%
- Associate, 23%
- Master's, 8%
- Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a network infrastructure manager?
- Computer Science, 18%
- Business, 12%
- Other Majors, 51%
Most common colleges for network infrastructure managers
| Network infrastructure manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 15.79% |
| Texas State University | 10.53% |
| Arizona State University | 5.26% |
| Rider University | 5.26% |
| Strayer University | 5.26% |
Best majors for network infrastructure managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 17.8% |
| 2 | Business | 12.4% |
| 3 | Information Technology | 10.1% |
| 4 | Computer Information Systems | 9.5% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering | 7.7% |
Best colleges for network infrastructure managers
The best colleges for network infrastructure managers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A network infrastructure 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 infrastructure 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 infrastructure 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 infrastructure managers
Advertising disclosure
1. Networking and Security Architecture with VMware NSX
This 8 week online course equips learners with the basics of network virtualization with VMware NSX. To get the most of this course, you should have familiarity with generic IT concepts of routing, switching, firewalling, disaster recovery, business continuity, cloud and security. At the end of the course, you will be able to: • Understand network virtualization basics • Describe NSX business value and use cases • Explain how NSX is different from traditional networking • Summarize networking...
2. System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services
This course will transition you from working on a single computer to an entire fleet. Systems administration is the field of IT that’s responsible for maintaining reliable computers systems in a multi-user environment. In this course, you’ll learn about the infrastructure services that keep all organizations, big and small, up and running. We’ll deep dive on cloud so that you’ll understand everything from typical cloud infrastructure setups to how to manage cloud resources. You'll also learn...
3. Active Directory on Windows Server
Learn how to deploy and manage all aspects of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and many more technologies...
4. Computer Network Cabling: Ethernet Wiring Infrastructure
The Physical Side of Computer Networking; Wire Ethernet Cables from Scratch and Master the Fundamentals of RJ-45 Ports...
5. Essential Google Cloud Infrastructure: Foundation
This accelerated on-demand course introduces participants to the comprehensive and flexible infrastructure and platform services provided by Google Cloud with a focus on Compute Engine. Through a combination of video lectures, demos, and hands-on labs, participants explore and deploy solution elements, including infrastructure components such as networks, virtual machines and applications services. You will learn how to use the Google Cloud through the console and Cloud Shell. You'll also learn...
6. Ansible for Network Automation
This course will train you on the fundamentals of Ansible, an open-source, extensible configuration management tool that streamlines infrastructure management in modern networking environments. You will also learn about Jinja2, a templating language that expands flexibility in automation tasks. Upon completing this course, you will have an essential understanding of Ansible and its application to network automation, enabling you to effectively automate network tasks and improve network...
7. TCP/IP Training Video A Definitive & Easy To Follow Course
Essential TCP/IP Training Course For Professionals Who Manages Servers, Networks Or Any Other Network Connected Device...
8. [Active Directory] Management using Windows PowerShell
[Power Shell] Simplified practical knowledge for automation & management of [Active Directory] using Windows Power Shell...
9. CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure - Transport Technologies
This course covers Section 3.0, Transport Technologies, for the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Practical Exam...
10. Microsoft Networking Fundamentals
Learn Windows-based networking, network management tools, DNS, TCP/IP, network protocols and much more!...
11. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access
Training For Beginners - Become a Network Administrator in Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with Remote Server Access!...
12. TOTAL: Active Directory with Windows Server 2016
Identity, Access, and Authentication with Microsoft AD and Identity with Windows Server 2016...
13. A Brief Guide to Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
And a look at risks, threats, business impact analysis, and more...
14. Master Class: TCP/IP Mechanics from Scratch to Expert
Networking Course, UDP, TCP IP protocol Suite, Flow and Congestion Control, CCNA and others, TCP/IP Complete Course...
15. Java Network Programming - TCP/IP Socket Programming
Learn how to write powerful network applications...
16. Server Infrastructure Basics
Everything you need to know about Server Infrastructure...
17. Mastering Modbus TCP/IP Network Communication
Learn how to design, build and troubleshoot Modbus TCP/IP client-server networks...
18. Cryptography: Learn Public Key Infrastructure from Scratch
Learn in-depth deployment and configuration of Active Directory Certificate Services (ADCS) a.k.a PKI on Windows Servers...
19. Networking Essentials
Gain the essential knowledge and skills required to configure, troubleshoot, manage and protect a data network...
20. Learn Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Fundamentals
Build and manage scalable and highly available infrastructure in OCI...
Top 10 most affordable universities for network infrastructure managers
The most affordable schools for network infrastructure managers are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for network infrastructure 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 infrastructure 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 infrastructure managers
The hardest universities for network infrastructure managers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for network infrastructure 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 infrastructure 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 infrastructure managers
The easiest schools for network infrastructure 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 infrastructure 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 infrastructure 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 infrastructure manager salary by education level
| Network infrastructure manager education level | Network infrastructure manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $111,709 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $97,896 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $108,212 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $99,026 |
Network infrastructure manager education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025