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Networking/software engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a networking/software engineer. Networking/software engineers usually study computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering. 66% of networking/software engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 420 real networking/software engineer resumes to see exactly what networking/software engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for networking/software engineers are the National University and the National University.
There are also many online networking/software engineer courses to help get the education required to be a networking/software engineer.
What education do you need to become a networking/software engineer?
What degree do you need to be a networking/software engineer?
- Bachelor's, 66%
- Master's, 19%
- Associate, 8%
- Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a networking/software engineer?
- Computer Science, 35%
- Computer Engineering, 12%
- Other Majors, 32%
Most common colleges for networking/software engineers
| Networking/software engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| National University | 10.34% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 10.34% |
| North Carolina State University | 8.62% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 6.90% |
| Drexel University | 5.17% |
Best majors for networking/software engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 35.4% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 17.3% |
| 3 | Computer Engineering | 11.9% |
| 4 | Management Information Systems | 3.6% |
| 5 | Information Systems | 3.2% |
Best colleges for networking/software engineers
The best colleges for networking/software engineers are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard University.
A networking/software engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for networking/software engineers. 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 networking/software engineers.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
6. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
7. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
9. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
10. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
20 best online courses for networking/software engineers
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1. Software Defined Networking
This course provides an introduction to data center networking technologies, more specifically software-defined networking. It covers the history behind SDN, description of networks in data-centers, a concrete data-center network architecture (Microsoft VL2), and traffic engineering...
2. Software Defined Networking
In this course, you will learn about software defined networking and how it is changing the way communications networks are managed, maintained, and secured...
3. Linux for Network Engineers: Practical Linux with GNS3
Linux for Networking Engineers (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE etc). Practical Linux with GNS3 = network programmability & automation...
4. Complete Software Engineering Course with Python
Learn Python 3 with Software Engineering Concepts Learn Python GUI, Object Oriented Programming, Data Visualization.....
5. Software Engineering
Software development is not just about coding, it also involves the application of scientific knowledge and well-defined engineering techniques to produce maintainable, scalable, cost-effective and on-schedule software products. This specialization covers software engineering methodologies, techniques, and tools for planning, capturing requirements, designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining large-scale software systems. It combines scientific and technological knowledge with many...
6. Akamai Network Engineering
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,...
7. Software Engineering 101: Plan and Execute Better Software.
Software Engineering 101: Use Software Engineering to Plan and Build Amazing Software + Learn SCRUM Framework!...
8. Software testing and Automation of APIs with UFT/QTP
Automated API Testing is quickly becoming more desired than GUI Automation. Learn the secrets from real QA Engineers...
9. Using APIs for Network Automation
This course will provide a solid foundation for understanding how APIs are utilized in network automation by discussing important topics such as data encoding formats, REST APIs, and the Python Requests library. Upon completion of the course, you will be equipped with the necessary skills to utilize APIs in your network automation solution and be able to describe the usefulness of APIs in this context. This course is primarily intended for network engineers, systems engineers, network...
10. Applied Software Engineering Fundamentals
If you want to enter the exciting world of software development, this Software Engineering Foundations Specialization is for you. No prior degrees or knowledge of programming or application development are necessary. Software Developers are in great demand earning a median salary of US$110,140 per year according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The field is growing at a rate of 22% making it a great time to start a career in software engineering.. The self-paced courses in this program...
11. Fundamentals of Network Engineering
Understanding the first principles of networking to build low latency and high throughput backends...
12. Requirements Engineering: Software Engineering
Everything you need to know about software requirements: elicitation, analysis, documentation, validation and management...
13. Agile Software Testing
Agile Software Testing: Methodologies and Testing Approaches, Techniques and Tools...
14. Ethical Hacking: Network Security & Network Layer Attack
Learn Ethical Hacking with Network Security, Sniffing, Subnetting, Networking, Password Cracking & implement Mit M attack...
15. Build a Social Network from Scratch: JavaScript PHP + MySQL
Learn Java Script, PHP and My SQL by building the ultimate social network website from scratch! The complete guide!...
16. Software Defined Networking (SDN) Made Simple
Learn about SDN, Open Flow, Mininet, POX Controller, Creating SDN Applications, ovs-ofctl, Custom Topologies & Wireshark...
17. Python Network Programming for Network Engineers (Python 3)
Program networks using Python version 3. Learn network programmability with this practical GNS3 and Cisco course...
18. Python Programming for Network Engineers: Cisco, Netmiko ++
Network Programmability and Network Automation using GNS3 and Python for Cisco engineers: Telnet, SSH, Paramiko, Netmiko...
19. Mastering PL/SQL
Simplified way to learn PL/SQL...
20. Ansible for Network Engineers: Quick Start GNS3 & Ansible
Ansible for Network Engineers with GNS3, Ansible and Cisco IOS. Learn Network Automation & Programmability = the future...
Top 10 most affordable universities for networking/software engineers
The most affordable schools for networking/software engineers are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - bakersfield, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for networking/software engineers 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 networking/software engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
5. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
6. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
10. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for networking/software engineers
The hardest universities for networking/software engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for networking/software engineers 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 networking/software engineers 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
9. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for networking/software engineers
The easiest schools for networking/software engineers to get into are Capitol Technology University, oregon institute of technology, and san francisco state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a networking/software engineer 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 networking/software engineers.
1. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
2. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
3. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
4. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
5. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
6. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
7. Portland State University
Portland, OR • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,111
8. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
9. Suffolk University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,131
10. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
Average networking/software engineer salary by education level
| Networking/software engineer education level | Networking/software engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $128,318 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $113,180 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $124,495 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $114,423 |
Networking/software engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025