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Network support technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a network support technician. Network support technicians usually study computer science, computer information systems, or information technology. 50% of network support technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 35% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,849 real network support technician resumes to see exactly what network support technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for network support technicians are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.
There are also many online network support technician courses to help get the education required to be a network support technician.
There are certain network support technician certifications that you should consider. These network support technician certifications include CompTIA Network+ and Network 5 Certification.
What education do you need to become a network support technician?
What degree do you need to be a network support technician?
- Bachelor's, 50%
- Associate, 35%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a network support technician?
- Computer Science, 16%
- Business, 11%
- Other Majors, 47%
Most common colleges for network support technicians
| Network support technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| DeVry University | 19.39% |
| University of Phoenix | 18.37% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 6.63% |
| Strayer University | 6.12% |
| ECPI University | 3.57% |
Best majors for network support technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 15.8% |
| 2 | Computer Information Systems | 14.4% |
| 3 | Information Technology | 12.0% |
| 4 | Business | 10.9% |
| 5 | Computer Networking | 10.9% |
Best colleges for network support technicians
The best colleges for network support technicians are Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
A network support technician 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 support technicians. 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 support technicians.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
7. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$53,880
Enrollment
6,590
8. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,230
Enrollment
12,161
9. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
10. Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA • Private
In-state tuition
$30,894
Enrollment
2,289
20 best online courses for network support technicians
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Prepare for an in-demand career in Information Technology (IT). In this program, you’ll develop a strong foundation in IT fundamentals, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing to get job-ready in as little as 3 months, with no prior experience or degree needed to get started.\n\nAlmost every organization, business, or individual relies on technology. A career in IT Support is about providing technological assistance to better optimize organizational efficiency. This can include...
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13. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access
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14. Active Directory & Group Policy Administration for IT Techs
Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...
15. Networking Essentials
Gain the essential knowledge and skills required to configure, troubleshoot, manage and protect a data network...
16. Computer Network: Networking fundamentals + Wireshark Basics
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17. Java Network Programming - TCP/IP Socket Programming
Learn how to write powerful network applications...
18. Mastering Modbus TCP/IP Network Communication
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19. Microsoft Networking Fundamentals
Learn Windows-based networking, network management tools, DNS, TCP/IP, network protocols and much more!...
20. Computer Networking Fundamentals
Learn all about the basics of computer networking fundamental concepts and network security concepts...
Top 10 most affordable universities for network support technicians
The most affordable schools for network support technicians are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for network support technicians 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 support technicians.
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. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
8. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
9. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for network support technicians
The hardest universities for network support technicians to get into are Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for network support technicians 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 support technicians 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
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. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for network support technicians
The easiest schools for network support technicians 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 support technician 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 support technicians.
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. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
7. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
8. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
9. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
10. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
Average network support technician salary by education level
| Network support technician education level | Network support technician salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $52,992 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $47,528 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $51,621 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $47,980 |
Network support technician education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025