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Network operations center manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a network operations center manager. Network operations center managers usually study business, computer information systems, or electrical engineering. 57% of network operations center managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 664 real network operations center manager resumes to see exactly what network operations center manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for network operations center managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online network operations center manager courses to help get the education required to be a network operations center manager.

There are certain network operations center manager certifications that you should consider. These network operations center manager certifications include IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL) and ITIL Foundation.

What education do you need to become a network operations center manager?

What degree do you need to be a network operations center manager?

The most common degree for network operations center managers is bachelor's degree, with 57% of network operations center managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 27% and associate degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 57%
  • Associate, 27%
  • Master's, 11%
  • Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a network operations center manager?

You should major in business to become a network operations center manager. 18% of network operations center managers major in business. Other common majors for a network operations center manager include computer information systems and electrical engineering.

Most common colleges for network operations center managers

Network operations center managers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Strayer University, and DeVry University. Here are the most common colleges for network operations center managers in the US based on their resumes.
Network operations center manager common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix14.46%
Strayer University8.43%
DeVry University7.23%
American InterContinental University6.02%
Excelsior College4.82%

Best majors for network operations center managers

Best colleges for network operations center managers

The best colleges for network operations center managers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A network operations center 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 operations center 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 operations center 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 operations center managers

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3. 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...

4. Basic Cellular Networks Operator Course

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Basic Fundamentals of Cellular Network Operations...

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Almost every organization uses computer networks to share their information and to support their business operations. When we allow network access to data it is exposed to threats from inside and outside of the organization. This course examines the threats associated with using internal and external networks and how to manage the protection of information when it’s accessible via networks. In this course, a learner will be able to: ● Describe the threats to data from information communication...

6. Network Installation Fundamentals

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This online course, Network Installation Fundamentals, is your steppingstone to a rewarding career in network technology. By the end of this course, you will be able to understand basic network client management, explain the role of network connection media, and describe the role of virtualization in enterprise networking. Perfect for beginners with no experience, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to network installation, one of the most in-demand skills in the networking field...

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9. Ansible for Network Automation

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12. CCIE Data Center - VXLAN EVPN

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13. 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...

14. Java Network Programming - TCP/IP Socket Programming

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Learn how to write powerful network applications...

15. Learning Path: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager

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16. Data Center Essentials: Power & Electrical

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18. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling

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20. Networking Essentials

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

Top 10 most affordable universities for network operations center managers

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

If the best universities for network operations center 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 operations center 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 operations center managers

The hardest universities for network operations center managers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for network operations center 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 operations center 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 operations center managers

The easiest schools for network operations center 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 operations center 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 operations center 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 operations center manager salary by education level

According to our data, network operations center managers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $143,032 annually. Network operations center managers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $136,606.
Network operations center manager education levelNetwork operations center manager salary
Master's Degree$143,032
High School Diploma or Less$118,192
Bachelor's Degree$136,606
Some College/ Associate Degree$120,170

Network operations center 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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